Final Fantasy Tactics Advance

 Game Boy Advance
User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 378 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 329 out of 378
  2. Mixed: 33 out of 378
  3. Negative: 16 out of 378
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  1. MikeldelValle
    Jul 24, 2023
    10
    For me, the best of tactics, sweet and adult story, excellent gameplay and infinite possibilities! I wish for a remaster...
  2. Runivard
    Jun 21, 2023
    10
    I wish I could go back in time and get the Judge and Rabbit guy on my team, I needed like 1 more quest for them which required a link to my friend, and I'll never get that chance now. Legendary game.
  3. Yojimbo2015
    Jun 10, 2023
    7
    A very pretty turn-based strategy game set within the world of the early Final Fantasy series. Basically it's an RPG that concentrates on combat rather than storytelling and exploration which makes it a little lacking in depth, but it's a nicely chilled out bit of adventuring that's probably not for RPG purists.
  4. fuor22
    May 31, 2023
    10
    I have so much fun every time I play this game. Everything about it, from the story to the gameplay, is just amazing. I enjoyed every moment while playing this game
  5. 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.
  6. hector_bcn98
    Nov 30, 2022
    7
    Todo iba bien hasta que me dí cuenta que la historia es testimonial y de que las normas de los jueces son un gran inconveniente para el progreso satisfactorio del jugador. Me dió tanta pereza que lo dejé a la mitad.
  7. PabloEnver
    Aug 31, 2022
    9
    Seguramente el juego táctico mas completo de la portátil. Graficos preciosos, increible pixel art, la musica de Hitoshi Sakimoto & company realmente increíble. La historia es sencilla y sin mucho drama pero entretenida y con personajes carismáticos. Lo peor es que es tremendamente repetitivo, tiene que gustarte mucho el género para completarlo al 100%, ya que en total tiene 300 misiones,Seguramente el juego táctico mas completo de la portátil. Graficos preciosos, increible pixel art, la musica de Hitoshi Sakimoto & company realmente increíble. La historia es sencilla y sin mucho drama pero entretenida y con personajes carismáticos. Lo peor es que es tremendamente repetitivo, tiene que gustarte mucho el género para completarlo al 100%, ya que en total tiene 300 misiones, pero aparte de las misiones donde envias a un PJ durante unos dias, todas las demas son iguales: pelear, pelear y pelear. Al menos cuentas con una cantidad ingente de armas, habilidades, y jobs, que te mantendrán pegado a la pantalla muchas horas. No le pongo un 10 porque la secuela mejora todo esto.… Expand
  8. joglow
    May 16, 2022
    8
    Gosh. So much fun and so addictive. I still remember I could play it for hours and missed the time.
  9. jpflint
    Aug 30, 2021
    3
    If you got this game expecting anything like the original Final Fantasy Tactics on PlayStation, you will probably be disappointed. This game plays more like tactics ogre than FFT. It is also a bit slow and the story is not as riveting.
    The gameplay is where it feels different though. I really hope they go back to FFT and not FFTadvance when making a future Tactics game.
    (Edit, in    If you got this game expecting anything like the original Final Fantasy Tactics on PlayStation, you will probably be disappointed. This game plays more like tactics ogre than FFT. It is also a bit slow and the story is not as riveting.
    The gameplay is where it feels different though. I really hope they go back to FFT and not FFTadvance when making a future Tactics game.

    (Edit, in hindsight my review is probably not that great due to the fact that I was expecting something as good as the original Final Fantasy Tactics. This game might be good to you if you haven't had that one to compare it to, or for really small children that are new to this type of thing.)

    If you want a Final Fantasy Tactics experience and haven't played the original in a while, I would just recommend playing that one instead.    … Expand
  10. AJCk19
    Jul 13, 2021
    9
    One of the best grid based tactics games of its' times. Now in days it is still good. Even though it plays slow and feels a little bit out dated. Controls are simple and you can take it anywhere with you, since it is mobile.
  11. Faltrask
    Jan 11, 2021
    0
    Ok. I see many people seem to like SE game just ... just "Because"! This is one of the LAMEST game i've ever played, one of the biggest disappointment in the whole saga. The game is so very limited in so many ways beginning from characted cast, starring soul-less kids that enter a magic realm, very much similar to the clichè used in many book for kids, but far less complex.
    Seems like    Ok. I see many people seem to like SE game just ... just "Because"! This is one of the LAMEST game i've ever played, one of the biggest disappointment in the whole saga. The game is so very limited in so many ways beginning from characted cast, starring soul-less kids that enter a magic realm, very much similar to the clichè used in many book for kids, but far less complex.
    Seems like SE's fan once again, struggled hard to find any meaning into the story that to me, and i hope i'm not the only one, is just meaningless garbage with absolutely no drama, no intensity and no pathos.
    The battle system is a complete mess, with judge system being way more annoying than fun. The whole thing is packed and a complete downgrade if you want to compare to the previous game from this serie ( Final Fantasy Tactics for psx).

    My vote overall would be a 6-, voting ' because it's a real shame to see this game having an average score of 9.1.    … Expand
  12. CesarV
    Aug 11, 2020
    10
    fantastic game with some improvements over the PS version, you can only wish this amount of love was put into every portable game out there
  13. explorerbay
    Jul 20, 2020
    8
    Its not as amazing as the first FFT but its a must play, one of the best GBA games.
  14. tukumalu
    Jan 25, 2020
    10
    The job system and quest element made this one of the most addictive experience on the GBA.
  15. 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
  16. brendo214
    May 21, 2019
    8
    Final Fantasy Tactics Advance is a super solid strategy game. The job system is by far the best and most interesting part.
  17. TmatoCE
    Apr 11, 2017
    10
    Un juego magnifico para ser de gmame boy advance mecanica de combate muy intuitiva y facl de llavar a la par que divertida, el metodo de clases hace que sea muy divertido cambiar la clase de tu personaje entre ninja, cazador, paladin etc y probar combinaciones.

    Una historia muy divertida y un juego de 10 para mi.
  18. Gendg
    Mar 14, 2016
    10
    El mejor juego de la GBA, sin lugar a dudas. La historia te engancha desde el primer momento y el sistema de juego es agradable y ameno. Recomiendo su compra, aun a dia de hoy sigo echandole algunas partidas
  19. tsakiym
    May 21, 2015
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I do not have to say anything. But i need to write one hundred and fifty characters. i think my score can describe it.................................… Expand
  20. taptothebeat
    Apr 18, 2015
    10
    This is one of my favorite games, if not my favorite. The unique class and race system is creative and fun, allowing for exploration in terms of game play and strategies. The game is not extremely easy like its sequel Grimoire of the Rift. While I do enjoy newer games with updated graphics, there do not seem to be any or at least many that are as good as this one for nintendo systems.This is one of my favorite games, if not my favorite. The unique class and race system is creative and fun, allowing for exploration in terms of game play and strategies. The game is not extremely easy like its sequel Grimoire of the Rift. While I do enjoy newer games with updated graphics, there do not seem to be any or at least many that are as good as this one for nintendo systems. Especially in terms of board battle sizes. There are a lot of tactics games where the size of the board is minuscule. The larger board for each battle in FFTA is great, and is what allows for the ranges of some of the attacks and more interest in the game.

    More of an aside and an extra bonus, but this game also has the charm of adorable eared animals: Moogles, Vieras, Nu Mous, etc. as characters for your team. The art associated with the game is also beautiful as well.    … Expand
  21. Wolfie1987
    Mar 24, 2014
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. FFTA & Final Fantasy 8 are two games you must own and play the crap out of, if you love low-level playthroughs. At the very beginning of the game you're able to create a super powerful party, recruit assassins and ninjas and other speed demons, send them on infinitely repeatable dispatch missions to increase your clan level, thus obtaining rare powerful items. Once you've soaked countless hours into doing this optional fulfilling grinding, you can finally proceed with the story, which is awesome. Marche (the player) is the main villain, though you deduce this yourself, quite interesting.… Expand
  22. waverlock
    Oct 6, 2013
    9
    The game is great and follows what we expect of a final fantasy tactics game with new game mechanics.

    If it was not for the dump end, i would give it a 10. Hope they port this one to PS3, VITA, PSP like the others.
  23. Sammechu
    Aug 2, 2013
    10
    Hands down my favorite game for the Game Boy Advance, and definitely in my top five in the Final Fantasy series. The game play is addictive, the job system makes you feel like you're actually getting some where with your characters, and the variety of races adds a nice spin to the game. I've lost track of the amount of times I've laid awake in bed, repeating "just one more battle and thenHands down my favorite game for the Game Boy Advance, and definitely in my top five in the Final Fantasy series. The game play is addictive, the job system makes you feel like you're actually getting some where with your characters, and the variety of races adds a nice spin to the game. I've lost track of the amount of times I've laid awake in bed, repeating "just one more battle and then I'll sleep.. wait that was over too soon, just one more.." Hours of great game play and a very, very large amount of replay value. I will cherish this game for years to come.… Expand
  24. Evangellist
    Jul 27, 2013
    10
    This game resides comfortably on my personal Top Ten list at number 3, and was formerly my favorite game of all time, needless to say, I have a near infinite amount of good things to say about the game.

    Longtime fans of the series (Final Fantasy Tactics.) see this game, and it's sequel as very unfortunate downhill turns the series made, while I can see where this comes from, because of    This game resides comfortably on my personal Top Ten list at number 3, and was formerly my favorite game of all time, needless to say, I have a near infinite amount of good things to say about the game.

    Longtime fans of the series (Final Fantasy Tactics.) see this game, and it's sequel as very unfortunate downhill turns the series made, while I can see where this comes from, because of the change in publisher/developer the game has changed its tone and even most of its gameplay dramatically. The story is not AS intensive as the first, I look more into it and see some heavily dramatic elements that deal the psyche of an abused school boy. The gameplay remains to be an extremely polished SRPG, with a completely customizable set of units. Being able to change everything about you're party lets you create your own style in battle, with each Job class being unique in your their own way, along with the fact that you can mix and match abilities from multiple jobs together to essentially make your own class makes character building extremely fun.

    The missions and narrative provide a heavy emphasis on character and story, but only when you want it, with the literal hundreds of side-quests and optional additional story missions, most of which can be replayed, offer a deep experience from a gameplay and even story point of view. The clan territory system and clan wars game mechanics ALWAYS give you something new to do. The only complaint I had with the game was the laws system, which provides one or two restrictions on any given battle which alternate every in-game day, instead of spicing up gameplay by having to accommodate these laws, it just remains tedious, BUT it is used as a plot device to show the amount of corruption and misplaced power in the government, so I think this mechanic is excusable because it literally makes YOU feel the frustration of the protagonist in the story.

    If you like RPG's, SRPG's, or played the previous title, I would HIGHLY recommend this game. It remains after ten years being one of my favorite games, and I hope that this review will encourage you to play it so it can become a favorite of yours as well. Get it on Amazon, or get the rom online, its worth a buy.    … Expand
  25. Luigibarqs
    Jan 7, 2013
    8
    Finla Fantasy Tactics Advance is A stragety RPG with similarities to chess for the Nintendo Gameboy Advance portable gaming console. This game's prequel is Final Fantasy Tactics for PS1 and its sequel is Final Fantasy Tactics A2 for Nintendo DS. Due to this game being on a Nintendo console, the storyline isn't as mature as the PS1 game and isn't as unforgivably difficult but good writingFinla Fantasy Tactics Advance is A stragety RPG with similarities to chess for the Nintendo Gameboy Advance portable gaming console. This game's prequel is Final Fantasy Tactics for PS1 and its sequel is Final Fantasy Tactics A2 for Nintendo DS. Due to this game being on a Nintendo console, the storyline isn't as mature as the PS1 game and isn't as unforgivably difficult but good writing still shines through on dramatic and though provoking psychology of a bullied school student hiding in his own fantasy world of his own creation and his friends fighting through it to get him to face his fears in reality. The gameplay consists of a chess board in which you move around units and attack with weapons, abilities, magic and special attacks. You gain exprience to level up and money to buy weapons and items through battles. There are multiple races and classes each with its own strengths, weaknesses, stat growths, abilities, weapons and attacks. Judges are introduced to give rules of the battle, if they are not followed, you lose bonus items at the end of battle, given a warning or even temporarily removed from the party and put in jail. Multiplayer consists of generic optional co-op missionsa re are not important to the game. There is exactly 300 number missions to play through with some being replayable and some are only avaliable after completing the main story and get the ending, random encounters with other armies and monsters, and special unnumbered missions after the main 300 are complete for an alternate ending. Fans of strategy games, RPGs or both should definitely check this game out, as for others, this game may or may not be your forte. Collapse… Expand
  26. JacksonBrowne
    Jan 26, 2011
    7
    I loved the original on Playstation, and essentially, gameplay has not changed. I like that your party remains constant even through in-battle deaths, which is an improvement over the system in the original, which forced you to buy new troops. However, the laws system really got on my nerves. I like that it encourages you to diversify your characters, with the mastery of different jobs andI loved the original on Playstation, and essentially, gameplay has not changed. I like that your party remains constant even through in-battle deaths, which is an improvement over the system in the original, which forced you to buy new troops. However, the laws system really got on my nerves. I like that it encourages you to diversify your characters, with the mastery of different jobs and the wealth of jobs available. The problem is that a) some of the laws are vague, even with the descriptions offered, and b) it's too easy to forget! I wish that the developers had just disabled the illegal moves instead of giving you the chance to break them yourself, which I often did inadvertently. The punishment for your infraction is not revealed until the end of the match, and then you can decide if it's worth it for your character's stats to decrease permanently as a result of your honest mistake. A serious gaping hole in the gaming experience.… Expand
  27. BobS.
    May 29, 2007
    6
    This game, though enjoyable, leaves a lot to be desired. It is extremely easy, even with the annoyance of the law system. What's more, the link capabilities are horrible, who wants to team up WITH (instead of against) their friends? Overall, it is certainly for a younger audience - it shows in the difficulty and plot.
  28. GriffinS.
    Mar 31, 2007
    5
    This is crap compared to not only to the original PSone FFT, but to any game with a story line thats got any goodness to it at all. Sorry to be so blunt, i know some ppl liked this tragedy of a game. just, a bad story that doesn't grab you at all and a downright mockery battle system in comparison to the first one. If you played this game without playing the PSone title, it could be This is crap compared to not only to the original PSone FFT, but to any game with a story line thats got any goodness to it at all. Sorry to be so blunt, i know some ppl liked this tragedy of a game. just, a bad story that doesn't grab you at all and a downright mockery battle system in comparison to the first one. If you played this game without playing the PSone title, it could be alright, ill give it that.… Expand
  29. AndréF.
    May 4, 2006
    10
    al its good to play and its a good game i like verely this game but i me have a problem and now i trying have other.
  30. CameronK.
    Apr 28, 2006
    10
    most addicting, fun, and addicting game i've ever played. put aside the crappy plot and it's almost the perfect game.
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Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Best Game Boy Advance Game of 2003
1
#1 Most Discussed Game Boy Advance Game of 2003
6
#6 Most Shared Game Boy Advance Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 44 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 44
  3. Negative: 0 out of 44
  1. GBA Central
    100
    Simply the best the GBA has offered so far. With an engaging plot, a deep gameplay system that allows for as much customisation as any handheld RPG, and a length that is ridiculously good value, there really is no excuse not to own this game.
    Read full review
  2. GMR Magazine
    90
    A great RPG strong on replay value (the item trading and link-up systems are particularly handy) with great visuals and art style to match (Akihiko Yoshida's character designs have never been better). [Oct 2003, p.79]
  3. Eurogamer
    90
    If a dictionary definition of "just-another-go" gameplay is ever to be written, this game will have to be featured as an example; and if a list of the best handheld games ever made is written, we'd expect to see this very near the top.
    Read full review
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