Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift

 DS
User Score
8.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 239 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 204 out of 239
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 239
  3. Negative: 14 out of 239
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  1. anb
    Oct 29, 2008
    10
    Outstanding game. Despite that the main plot is kinda childish, the game in general is soo deep with a lot of quest, skills, jobs etc and with a really great attention to details spiced up with really gorgeous artwork and music. Must have.
  2. SmamulusC.
    Jun 25, 2008
    10
    If you loved the first one, this will not let you down. Caution: Addictive as hell.
  3. RhodyT.
    Jun 27, 2008
    10
    Definitely the best Final Fantasy Tactics game. Fixes the horrible balancing and technical issues from FFT and the law system from FFTA. Also does away with the dispatch missions almost entirely, allowing you to do them manually if you choose to. Great game all around.
  4. KenH.
    Jun 30, 2008
    9
    A very forgettable story doesnt kill the excellent strategy aspects of the game. I have some minor quibbles. I wouldnt mind a fast play option that speeds up the combat animations. It takes too long for every character to walk, then hit and then the reaction after the hit. And you'll be playing for a 10 hours with your characters doing not a whole more than simple default "attack" A very forgettable story doesnt kill the excellent strategy aspects of the game. I have some minor quibbles. I wouldnt mind a fast play option that speeds up the combat animations. It takes too long for every character to walk, then hit and then the reaction after the hit. And you'll be playing for a 10 hours with your characters doing not a whole more than simple default "attack" moves. After that you get lots of interesting choices about how to build your team. I would have have been happy to miss those first 10 hours of the game.… Expand
  5. WayneE.
    Jul 5, 2008
    10
    You really get sucked into a different world.
  6. BrandonS.
    Jun 29, 2008
    10
    A step up from both the original Final Fantasy Tactics and Advanced, having the best of both... Except for a few minor flaws. Still a very good game, and it's one of those games for the DS that you cannot go without.
  7. SteveM
    Jul 1, 2008
    10
    Though FFTA2 may not be perfect, the reason a game should get a 10 is not because it's perfect, but because it is simply a really, really well put together product. This game is just that...it reeks of Square Enix polish, looks great, sounds great, play great, and will last you for over a hundred hours if you're willing to invest it. I'm not much for boring, technical Though FFTA2 may not be perfect, the reason a game should get a 10 is not because it's perfect, but because it is simply a really, really well put together product. This game is just that...it reeks of Square Enix polish, looks great, sounds great, play great, and will last you for over a hundred hours if you're willing to invest it. I'm not much for boring, technical reviews; I prefer to express an emotional response to games...so here it is: if you love Final Fantasy, and you love strategy RPG's, and you love deep character customization, you will find yourself playing this game with a smile on your face the entire time. It will bring you much happiness and satisfaction, provided you're a patient individual. An excellent DS game.… Expand
  8. Lev
    Aug 20, 2008
    8
    I think that FFTA2 was an improvement over the FFTA for the gba, and I don't think it should be compared to the original FFT for the psx, because the two are just totally different despite using a similar system. So why did I like this game? Probably because the fun factor was pretty high. Managing your own little fantasy army of strange creatures while walking around in a lively I think that FFTA2 was an improvement over the FFTA for the gba, and I don't think it should be compared to the original FFT for the psx, because the two are just totally different despite using a similar system. So why did I like this game? Probably because the fun factor was pretty high. Managing your own little fantasy army of strange creatures while walking around in a lively world doing small quests really brought out the inner child in me. The fact that the game didn't have a normal plot didn't really bother me, because the characters itself had life in them, they were active without being overly happy-happy, (the only one I didn't like was Hurdy) not to mention the many returning side characters during quets who were also fun. And the dialogues were also well written and entertaining. It had no philosophical or whatever kind of depth to it, but I don't think that's a necessity for something to be fun.… Expand
  9. AaronS
    Sep 4, 2008
    8
    This is a pretty decent game, and can be scarily involving at times. The strategy elements are a little basic at first, but soon becomes more complicated as the game progresses. I would also like to add that the judgment system, I think, compliments the battles rather well, and there is great satisfaction to be had from keeping within the law. It takes a while, but once you have a full This is a pretty decent game, and can be scarily involving at times. The strategy elements are a little basic at first, but soon becomes more complicated as the game progresses. I would also like to add that the judgment system, I think, compliments the battles rather well, and there is great satisfaction to be had from keeping within the law. It takes a while, but once you have a full clan of units, and a varied amount of jobs and abilities to play with, the game takes on a whole new addictive level.… Expand
  10. Luigibarqs
    Jan 4, 2011
    8
    Final Fantasy Tactics is an interesting RPG title that mixes standard Final Fantasy elements with strategy chess-like elements which blend well together well to create a unique experience. There are two previous titles in this series called Final Fantasy Tactics (PS1/PSP) and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (GBA) and all three of the games all have a different feel and gameplay to them so ifFinal Fantasy Tactics is an interesting RPG title that mixes standard Final Fantasy elements with strategy chess-like elements which blend well together well to create a unique experience. There are two previous titles in this series called Final Fantasy Tactics (PS1/PSP) and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (GBA) and all three of the games all have a different feel and gameplay to them so if you are a fan of one of them, try out the others as well. The point of the game is to more or less build an army of many races and classes and use them to complete the story, tournaments and a long list of quests while leveling up your party, teaching them new abilities and upgrading equipment to keep up with enemies. The law system is revised from the GBA prequel and a bit easier to deal with, new races, classes, abilities and equipment have been added, a gambling minigame for ownership of continents in the game and rare equipment has been added and even a new Hard Mode difficulty setting if Normal Mode is too easy. The music is beautifully composed and the graphics and special effects are nice to look at. The story isn't that great but since its on an Nintendo console, it is expected to not be at an adult level. If you are the type of person who likes strategy and/or RPG titles and/or a game that has a long length with a lot to do and collect, you will probably enjoy this game.… Expand
  11. Vinnymac
    Jun 27, 2011
    10
    After playing FFT, FFTA, and now FFTA2 I must say the game is an incredible addition to the line up. I love the graphics and the creativity they put in these games. The large amount of content is the biggest feature for me. I have clocked 150+ hours in to every FFT game, and this game is nothing short of that length. The story isn't too long, allowing you to dig right into all the grindingAfter playing FFT, FFTA, and now FFTA2 I must say the game is an incredible addition to the line up. I love the graphics and the creativity they put in these games. The large amount of content is the biggest feature for me. I have clocked 150+ hours in to every FFT game, and this game is nothing short of that length. The story isn't too long, allowing you to dig right into all the grinding you'd like to do to improve your team like most FFT players like to do. I enjoy the job improvements especially and I hope that the next FFTA adds even more features. Square Enix has recently gone down hill (FFXIII), lets hope that doesn't mean some of their new titles will also. I love strategy games, and this is definitely on my top 10.… Expand
  12. SwamiBerk
    Sep 8, 2011
    10
    I don't care what the storyline is, I'll always love Final Fantasy Tactics in all its incarnations. Best game evar. No one does tactics games like Final Fantasy. Tactics Ogre and Omnimusha Tactics are just cheap imitations.
  13. lustrofuria
    Dec 19, 2011
    10
    Excellent game. Charismatic graphics. Cool magics and abilities. And many fun. Many secrets and many no obligatory quests. The main story of the game is no good. But... the quests build a story apart. And its the real good story of the game. And it's amazing. I spend with ease 120 hours in this game and no get everything yet.
  14. purre
    Feb 27, 2012
    9
    Absolutely fantastic title. I bought it because I played the original FFTA for a dozen of hours though never got it very far, so I liked the idea. Then I got the DS and thought this kind of games are ideal for a portable. I think it is the best game on the system I had. Excellent visuals, very nice sounds and music, interesting story, incredible amount of content (quests, items, classes,Absolutely fantastic title. I bought it because I played the original FFTA for a dozen of hours though never got it very far, so I liked the idea. Then I got the DS and thought this kind of games are ideal for a portable. I think it is the best game on the system I had. Excellent visuals, very nice sounds and music, interesting story, incredible amount of content (quests, items, classes, skills), slick turn based combat. Sometimes challenging, sometimes easy, but in the end I got over 90 hours of gameplay after I beat finished story, though I could easily got a lot more if I were to get back and completed remaining side-quests and get all the special characters. It has some minor shortcomings too, but overall it is the latest and paramount installment of the series, recommended for all RPG and strategy fans!… Expand
  15. Vanpire73
    May 2, 2014
    8
    Love me some FF Tactics. Gets way too easy after too little of a time, but overall a gem of a strategy game. This sentence is just to stretch the review out to meet the 150 character minimum criteria.
  16. Englad
    Oct 26, 2014
    10
    Beware the Flowsand Lord! 30-40 battles in you face a rare boss fight. And this one will keep you from continuing the game it's so hard unless, you play the clan trials. So don't overlook the clan trials. Apart from that the music is good if a little cheery, the graphics are excellently vibrant, the game is a lot more challenging, and deep, than War of the Lions.
  17. 22446688Bb
    Aug 6, 2019
    10
    The best game planning ever world and the story of beautiful characters breathtaking gameplay more like my constant, simple and wonderful tactic
  18. yuu023956
    Feb 10, 2018
    10
    Truly an amazing Game

    One of my, or maybe even my favorite NDS Game of all time.

    so nice
  19. XV_
    Jun 15, 2019
    8
    Grimoire Of The Rift follows more or less the same formula as its predecessors which is a good thing because both of them are incredible (even with the divisive judge system of FFTA), the thing is that there is little to none improvements from the last games so it tends to feel kinda repetitive at times. You still can't skip or fast forward enemy turns or yours, so it makes grinding a lotGrimoire Of The Rift follows more or less the same formula as its predecessors which is a good thing because both of them are incredible (even with the divisive judge system of FFTA), the thing is that there is little to none improvements from the last games so it tends to feel kinda repetitive at times. You still can't skip or fast forward enemy turns or yours, so it makes grinding a lot more annoying.

    Making the slow pacing aside, the combat is still good, and it has a lot of versatility and skills combinations for your units, and maybe that is my favorite part of the game, to make that one unit a perfect killing machine. The story is just serviceable, it has potential but is not even near of the other two games, so it makes everything a lot more inconsequential, the characters are OK but nothing to write home about, and the music sounded like a lot of tunes were recycled from FFTA. On the graphic side, the game looks like a work of art, simply beautiful.

    Overall is a great game but compared to its predecessors it fells just a little short, specially in the story side, but if you have extra time and want to have a good tactical experience, FFTA2 is a good choice.    … Expand
  20. tom974
    Dec 4, 2019
    8
    Beside the childish plot, wonderful game ! Had it been a plot like War of the Lions I would give it 9. Solid FF Tactics classic gameplay, great musics.
  21. PabloEnver
    Aug 31, 2022
    10
    Ahora sí que si, se merece el 10 que no se merecía FFTA de GBA. Todo, excepto la historia, ha sido mejorado. Los gráficos son un pixel art genial, la musica es muy buena aunque repiten casi todos los temas del FFTA + unos cuantos nuevos. Lo bueno y que realmente ha mejorado notablemente es el gameplay: ya no tienes 99% de misiones de matar y matar, ahora puede haber varios objetivosAhora sí que si, se merece el 10 que no se merecía FFTA de GBA. Todo, excepto la historia, ha sido mejorado. Los gráficos son un pixel art genial, la musica es muy buena aunque repiten casi todos los temas del FFTA + unos cuantos nuevos. Lo bueno y que realmente ha mejorado notablemente es el gameplay: ya no tienes 99% de misiones de matar y matar, ahora puede haber varios objetivos distintos dependiendo de la misión: matar a un monstruo concreto, capturar chocobos, evitar que los monstruos lleguen a X sitio o llegar tu a X sitio, matar monstruos especiales (ahora hay monstruos que ocupan varias casillas y tendrás que darlo todo para acabar con ellos), acabar con un numero de enemigos en X tiempo, etc etc. Tambien se añade la opcion de encontrar cofres en batalla, con suculentos tesoros, y una casa de subastas donde conseguir equipamiento unico y súper útil. Cuenta con algunos jefes secretos muy chulos y aunque sigue habiendo 300 misiones como en FFTA, esta vez no se hace tan pesado. Si lo completas entero, facil te vas a mas de 90 horas.… Expand
  22. LastResource
    Jan 14, 2023
    10
    worth it and glad to play this game again. so much memories and nostalgia within this spin off game in the series.

Awards & Rankings

19
#19 Best DS Game of 2008
8
#8 Most Discussed DS Game of 2008
2
#2 Most Shared DS Game of 2008

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 47 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 47
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 47
  3. Negative: 0 out of 47
  1. Nintendo Power
    70
    As a result, although Grimoire of the Rift is another solid effort that's sure to scratch your tactical itch, the original Tactics remains the pinnacle of the series. [July 2008, p.86]
  2. GamePro
    80
    With its deep Clan system and 400 missions worth of downright addictive quests, I can't help but recommend it. [July 2008, p.82]
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  3. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    70
    It remains worth it for all of the reasons that made the original Tactics so engrossing: Switching between different jobs, mastering new abilities from your gear, and recruiting and building your clan all remain as appealing as ever. [July 2008, p.82]
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