What Happened to the War of the Lions Content? The Ivalice Chronicles vs. PSP Definitive Edition Breakdown

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When Square Enix announced Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, hype exploded across the tactical RPG community. Fans dreamed of a modern definitive edition — something that merged the best of all versions into one ultimate package.

But then the whispers started. On forums, Reddit threads, and Twitter debates, a single question echoed:

👉 “Where is the War of the Lions content?”

In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what’s missing from War of the Lions, what The Ivalice Chronicles adds instead, and whether it truly deserves the “definitive edition” title nearly three decades later.

War of the Lions vs. The Ivalice Chronicles: A Content Comparison

What’s Missing from The Ivalice Chronicles

Fans who loved the PSP’s War of the Lions will immediately notice some big omissions. Square Enix made a deliberate choice to exclude all the PSP-exclusive extras.

Table: Missing War of the Lions Content in The Ivalice Chronicles

Content Category    War of the Lions (PSP)                Included in The Ivalice Chronicles?
CharactersBalthier (FFXII), Luso (FFTA2)❌ No
Job ClassesDark Knight, Onion Knight❌ No
MultiplayerOnline multiplayer mode❌ No
CutscenesAdditional animated cutscenes❌ No
Aspect RatioModern 16:9 widescreen✅ Yes
ControlsWestern X-to-confirm✅ Yes

The absence of Dark Knight (a fan-favorite) and guest characters like Balthier stings the most. Many players consider these additions essential to the PSP’s appeal.

The Ivalice Chronicles vs. PSP Definitive Edition Breakdown
What The Ivalice Chronicles Adds Instead

Instead of carrying over PSP extras, The Ivalice Chronicles focuses on modern enhancements and narrative polish:

  • 🎙️ Full Voice Acting (English & Japanese, with well-known talent like Joe Pitts as Ramza and Gregg Lowe as Delita)

  • 📝 New Script Translation built for voiced delivery (different from both PS1 & PSP)

  • 🗨️ Enhanced Dialogue for story characters post-recruitment

  • ⚔️ QoL Features like fast-forward, tactical battlefield view, auto-save, instant retries, and a streamlined UI

  • ⚖️ Difficulty Settings (Squire, Knight, Tactician) with on-the-fly adjustments

  • 📖 State of the Realm feature: political recaps and story summaries between battles

  • 📚 Sound Novels: once Japan-only, now officially localized

So while some content is missing, new features aim to improve immersion and accessibility for a modern audience.

Why Square Enix Excluded War of the Lions Content

A Return to the Original Vision

Director Kazutoyo Maehiro explained the choice was deliberate, not technical. The team — made up of original 1997 developers — believed the best path was to honor their original vision instead of stacking on PSP-era additions.

Maehiro described FFT as already “very complete” in its original form. The Ivalice Chronicles is essentially their director’s cut — pure to the 1997 design.

Different Teams, Different Goals

  • War of the Lions (2007 PSP) was developed by a different team.

  • The Ivalice Chronicles reunited the original creators, who naturally leaned toward their first design philosophy.

  • The infamous lost source code also forced the team to rebuild the game from scratch — a huge technical barrier that made adding PSP extras less feasible.

Community Reaction: Divided But Passionate

The “Removed Content” Debate

Some fans see the exclusions as a major step backward:

“It is literally removed content. It was added before. Now it’s not. That’s removed.”

Respect for Artistic Vision

Others defend the approach:

“This isn’t ‘removed’ content — it’s a faithful rebuild of the original. It’s not a WotL remaster.”

Critics’ Take

  • Game Informer: praised the project as “historic” but wished for a truly all-inclusive version.

  • IGN: noted they enjoyed Balthier but didn’t “particularly miss anything else” from the PSP release.

Is The Ivalice Chronicles the Definitive Edition?

It depends on what you value most:

✅ Play The Ivalice Chronicles if:

  • You want the original 1997 balance and pacing

  • Modern QoL upgrades and accessibility matter

  • You prefer full voice acting and a fresh script

  • You like streamlined UI and visual clarity

✅ Stick with War of the Lions if:

  • Dark Knight, Luso, or Balthier are must-haves

  • You want animated cutscenes and multiplayer

  • You love the PSP script and presentation

  • You want the “everything included” package

Conclusion: A Matter of Perspective

The War of the Lions debate shows just how much passion Final Fantasy Tactics still inspires.

The Ivalice Chronicles isn’t a PSP remaster; it’s a return to the original creators’ vision, rebuilt with modern tools, QoL features, and new presentation. Think of it less as a “definitive edition” and more as a director’s cut for today’s audience.

For some, the missing PSP extras are a dealbreaker. For others, this version is the purest expression of Ivalice since 1997. Either way, it’s proof that nearly 30 years later, this tactical RPG still sparks debate, devotion, and discovery. 

🌐 Community & Resources

Want to stay updated or share your own strategies? Here are the best places to connect with other Final Fantasy Tactics fans:

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