Final Fantasy Tactics (1997)

Final Fantasy Tactics (1997)

Square, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment, Square Enix
Release date: 1997-06-20 | Platforms: IOS, PS_VITA, PLAYSTATION3, PLAYSTATION1, ANDROID, PSP.

Final Fantasy Tactics (ファイナルファンタジータクティクス, Fainaru Fantajī Takutikusu) is a tactical role-playing game developed and published by Squaresoft (later changed to Square and now Square Enix) for the Sony PlayStation video game console. It is the first game of the Final Fantasy Tactics series and was released in Japan in June 1997 and in the United States in January 1998. The game combines thematic elements of the Final Fantasy video game series with a game engine and battle system unlike those previously seen in the franchise. In contrast to other 32-bit era Final Fantasy titles, Final Fantasy Tactics uses a 3D, isometric, rotatable playing field, with bitmap sprite characters.
Final Fantasy Tactics is set in a fictional medieval-inspired kingdom called Ivalice, created by Yasumi Matsuno. The game's story follows Ramza Beoulve, a highborn cadet who finds himself thrust into the middle of an intricate military conflict known as The Lion War, where two opposing noble factions are coveting the throne of the kingdom. As the story progresses, Ramza and his allies discover a sinister plot behind the war.
A spin-off title, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, was released for the Nintendo Game Boy Advance in 2003 and a sequel to that title, Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift, was released in 2007 for the Nintendo DS. Various other games have also utilized the Ivalice setting, including Vagrant Story for the PlayStation and Final Fantasy XII for the PlayStation 2. An enhanced port of Final Fantasy Tactics, Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions, was released in 2007 as part of Square Enix's Ivalice Alliance project. Overall, the game received positive reviews from gaming magazines and websites and has become a cult classic since its release.

Background

DEVELOPERS

Background for Hiroshi Minagawa
Hiroshi Minagawa

Hiroshi Minagawa

artist

Hiroshi Minagawa is a games director, artist and designer who started the games industry career in 1900. Since then, Minagawa has been working with Square Enix, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Square and SquareSoft. Minagawa's first game was Rapture published by Platinum Star Games for PC. Next, Hiroshi Minagawa worked on Magical Chase taking on the role of artist. Afterwards, Hiroshi Minagawa worked on Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood developed by Square Enix in 2017. Most lately, Hiroshi Minagawa worked on Tactics Ogre: Reborn.

Background for Hiroyuki Ito
Hiroyuki Ito

Hiroyuki Ito

designer

Hiroyuki Ito is a games director, producer and designer. Ito has been working with Sony Interactive Entertainment, Square Enix, Square and SquareSoft. Ito's first published game was Rad Racer released in 1987. Then, Hiroyuki Ito went on to work on Rad Racer II as the designer. Afterwards, Hiroyuki Ito worked on FINAL FANTASY V developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment in 1992. The latest work of Hiroyuki Ito was The World Ends with You: Final Remix, published in 2018.

Background for Yasumi Matsuno
Yasumi Matsuno

Yasumi Matsuno

writer,director

Yasumi Matsuno is a games writer, director, producer and designer who started the games industry career in 1900. Since then, Matsuno has been working with Sony Interactive Entertainment, Square Enix, Platinum Games and Ltd.. Matsuno started as the designer of Unsung Story: Tale of the Guardians. Then, Yasumi Matsuno went on to work on Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen as the designer. Matsuno also worked on Attack of the Friday Monsters! A Tokyo Tale developed by Ltd. for Nintendo 3DS. Most recently, Yasumi Matsuno was involved in the development of Unsung Story. At the moment, Matsuno is working on Guild01, which was announced for Nintendo 3DS.

Background for Hideo Minaba
Hideo Minaba

Hideo Minaba

artist

Hideo Minaba is a games artist. Minaba has been working with Sony Interactive Entertainment, Square Enix, Konami Digital Entertainment and Atlus. Minaba started in 1992 as the artist of FINAL FANTASY V. After that, Hideo Minaba took part as the artist of FINAL FANTASY VI. Later, Minaba also was part of the team who developed Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (2003) published by Square Enix for Wii U and Game Boy Advance. Most recently, Hideo Minaba was involved in the development of Granblue Fantasy: Versus. At the moment, Minaba is working on ASH: Archaic Sealed Heat, which was announced for Nintendo DS.

Background for Akihiko Yoshida
Akihiko Yoshida

Akihiko Yoshida

artist

Akihiko Yoshida is a games composer, artist and designer who started the games industry career in 1900. Since then, Yoshida has been working with Square Enix, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Platinum Games and Square. Yoshida's first game was Rapture published by Platinum Star Games for PC. Next, Akihiko Yoshida worked on Unsung Story: Tale of the Guardians taking on the role of artist. Yoshida also worked on Bravely Default developed by Square Enix for Nintendo 3DS. Most lately, Akihiko Yoshida worked on Wildcard.

Background for Masaharu Iwata
Masaharu Iwata

Masaharu Iwata

composer

Masaharu Iwata is a games composer. Iwata has been working with Square Enix, Sony Interactive Entertainment, SEGA and BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America. Iwata's first game was Might and Magic: Book One - Secret of the Inner Sanctum published by New World Computing for PC, NES, Apple II and Commodore / Amiga in 1986. Next, Masaharu Iwata worked on Verytex taking on the role of composer. Iwata also worked on Baroque International developed by Sting Entertainment for PlayStation 2 and Wii. Most lately, Masaharu Iwata worked on Tactics Ogre: Reborn. Now, Iwata has joined the team of Learn with Pokémon: Typing Adventure as the composer.

Background for Hironobu Sakaguchi
Hironobu Sakaguchi

Hironobu Sakaguchi

writer,director,producer,designer

Hironobu Sakaguchi is a games writer, director, producer and designer. Sakaguchi has been working with Sony Interactive Entertainment, Square Enix, Square and SquareSoft. Sakaguchi's first game was The Death Trap in 1984. Next, Hironobu Sakaguchi worked on Cruise Chaser Blassty taking on the role of designer. Later, Sakaguchi also was part of the team who developed Final Fantasy III (1990) published by Square for NES. Most recently, Hironobu Sakaguchi was involved in the development of Fantasian. Currently, Sakaguchi is developing ASH: Archaic Sealed Heat. The release date is yet to be announced.

Background for Hitoshi Sakimoto
Hitoshi Sakimoto

Hitoshi Sakimoto

composer

Hitoshi Sakimoto is a games composer and designer who started the games industry career in 1900. Since then, Sakimoto has been working with Square Enix, Capcom, Sony Interactive Entertainment and SEGA. Sakimoto started as the composer of Unsung Story: Tale of the Guardians. Then, Hitoshi Sakimoto went on to work on Side Pocket (1986) as the composer. Afterwards, Hitoshi Sakimoto worked on Coded Soul: Uketsugareshi Idea developed by SCEI in 2008. Most lately, Hitoshi Sakimoto worked on Tactics Ogre: Reborn. At the moment, Sakimoto is working with Starfish SD on Classic Action: Devilish, which was announced for Nintendo DS.