Nearly three decades after redefining the strategy RPG genre, Final Fantasy Tactics is back with The Ivalice Chronicles—a reimagined edition that’s already sparking heated debate.
Fans who grew up commanding Ramza and Delita on the PlayStation are eager to see what’s changed, while newcomers wonder if this is the perfect entry point into one of gaming’s most complex, politically charged stories.
So what exactly sets this release apart from the 1997 original and the beloved PSP port War of the Lions? From fully voiced dialogue to missing fan-favorite content, this guide breaks down every major difference—so you know exactly which version of Ivalice is right for you.
Enhanced vs. Classic Mode: Two Ways to Experience Ivalice
Square Enix has given players a unique choice right at the start:
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Enhanced Mode – A modern reimagining with overhauled visuals, full voice acting, redesigned UI, autosave, battle retries, and new difficulty settings.
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Classic Mode – A faithful recreation of the 1997 game, retaining its original balance and visuals, but with the War of the Lions script, autosave, and bug fixes.
This dual approach emerged after the studio revealed the original source code had been lost, forcing them to rebuild from preserved fan archives. It’s both a nod to history and a way forward.
Visual & Audio Revolution
Graphical Overhaul: A Mixed Reception
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Enhanced Mode visuals clean up the original sprites but divide the fanbase. Some praise the polished look, while others criticize the “subdivided pixels” and “paper-like” textures.
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Classic Mode keeps the original pixel art intact—ideal for purists.
Full Voice Acting for the First Time
For the first time in FFT history, every line of dialogue is fully voiced in English and Japanese. Critics highlight Joe Pitts (Ramza) and Gregg Lowe (Delita) for adding gravitas to the political drama.
| Feature | Original PS1 (1997) | War of the Lions (PSP) | The Ivalice Chronicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual Style | Pixel art | Higher-res sprites, FMVs | Enhanced: subdivided pixels / filtered look; Classic: original |
| Localization | Basic, sometimes unclear | Shakespearean-style script | WotL script in both modes |
| Voice Acting | None | None | Full English & Japanese VO (Enhanced only) |
| UI Design | Old-school menus | Old-school menus | Fully redesigned modern UI (Enhanced) |
Gameplay Overhaul: QoL & Accessibility
Quality-of-Life Improvements
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Battle Speed Control – Fast-forward through animations and grind.
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Tactical View – Top-down perspective for cleaner strategy planning.
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Mid-Battle Autosave – Retry fights or return to the map without punishment.
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Improved UI & Info – Clear turn order display and streamlined menus.
Accessibility Options
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Three Difficulties: Squire (easy), Knight (normal/original), Tactician (hard).
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Expanded Party Size: Up to 50 units (vs 16 originally).
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Loadouts & Equipment Freedom: Gender restrictions removed; presets supported.
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Rebalancing: Jobs, enemies, and items adjusted to make more builds viable.
The Great Controversy: Missing War of the Lions Content
The biggest debate centers on what’s not included:
| Category | War of the Lions Content | Included in Ivalice Chronicles? |
|---|---|---|
| Characters | Balthier (FFXII), Luso (FFTA2) | ❌ No |
| Jobs | Dark Knight, Onion Knight | ❌ No |
| Multiplayer | Co-op / Versus modes | ❌ No |
| Cutscenes | Animated FMVs | ❌ No |
| Script | Shakespearean-style script | ✅ Yes |
| Cloud Quest | Secret FFVII tie-in | ✅ Yes (improved) |
Director Kazutoyo Maehiro explained:
“The most appropriate path was to pay respect to the original game’s experience and recreate that in the best form possible.”
Some fans applaud this purist vision, while others argue it prevents the game from being the “definitive edition.”
Performance & Platforms: What to Expect
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PS5 / Xbox Series / PC – Targeting smooth 60fps with modern scaling.
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Switch & Switch 2 – Early reports suggest 30fps handheld, with better performance docked.
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Steam Deck – Verified and optimized for portable play.
Editions & Price
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Standard Edition – $49.99
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Deluxe Edition – Includes digital artbook, soundtrack, and special menu themes.
FAQs
Does The Ivalice Chronicles include Dark Knight or Onion Knight?
No, those jobs from War of the Lions are excluded.
Is Balthier or Luso in the game?
No, they are PSP exclusives.
Which script does it use?
Both modes use the War of the Lions Shakespearean-inspired translation.
Can I play multiplayer?
No, multiplayer from PSP is not included.
Conclusion: Which Version Should You Play?
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Choose Enhanced Mode if you want: voice acting, QoL upgrades, and a smoother modern experience.
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Stick with Classic Mode if you crave: pure nostalgia, untouched pixel art, and gameplay closer to the original.
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If War of the Lions’ extra characters and jobs matter to you, you may prefer revisiting the PSP version.
Either way, The Ivalice Chronicles successfully revives one of the most beloved tactical RPGs of all time, ensuring that the saga of Ramza, Delita, and Ivalice continues to inspire both veterans and newcomers alike.
🌐 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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