|
RPGs have had a rough time finding a strong footing on the PSP, leaving the market wide open. Leave it to the king of RPG developers, Square Enix, to see the hole and plug it in classic fashion.
For the longest time, Final Fantasy Tactics was one of the most sought after games on the PlayStation. For years, the game was listed on eBay for well-above the standard game price and was considered by many to be the standard when it came to Strategy RPGs. After a Greatest Hits release and GBA follow-up in Final Fantasy Tactics: Advance, Square Enix is bringing the original to the PSP with Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions.
One of the game’s real stand-out qualities are the story sequences. Rather than going with the text boxes of the original or high-end CGI, War of the Lions uses a really neat hand-drawn style to tell its tale. The characters retain the original’s distinct look and keep a flat, pencil shaded look that is something you have to see in motion to truly appreciate.
War of the Lions will still feature the original’s complex storyline and deep battle mechanics. The flexible job system will also return, though it will be augmented with two new jobs; Dark Knight and Onion Knight. Dark Knights will be able to steal hit points and mana points from other characters, while the Onion Knight can equip any weapon in the game.
If strategy isn’t your thing, Square Enix is also re-releasing a classic Final Fantasy game that, more than likely, should be new to most fans.
Final Fantasy II never saw a proper release in the US, though a few may remember it as the second game in the Dawn of Souls compilation that was released on the GBA. Similar to Final Fantasy, the second game in the long-running series will see a special anniversary edition later this year.
The game focuses on Leon, Maria and Firion, three warriors whose town is destroyed by an evil emperor. Unable to escape, the three fight only to find themselves on the losing side of the effort. They awake in a church and are soon recruited by a group of rebels led by a girl named Hilda.
Compared to other games in the series, Final Fantasy II takes a different approach that has managed to alienate some players and captivate others. The major difference is in its skill system, which allows you to equip your party members with various abilities and then level them up through use. For more obvious skills, like magic and combat, this isn’t too different from other games; however other skills are leveled in unconventional ways. For example, hit points are leveled up by sticking your characters in harms way and making sure they take damage. This is a completely different mechanic and something that could feel awkward to some players.
While the gameplay is kept intact, the game’s presentation will receive a complete overhaul similar to Final Fantasy. Sprites are hi-res and some have been redrawn while music has been rerecorded to sound cleaner. The game will also boast new CGI story sequences.
Re-releases are generally not looked upon all that favorably, though good ones can usually make most detractors forget why they were ever against the re-release in the first place. If Final Fantasy Anniversary Edition is any indication, Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions and Final Fantasy II Anniversary Edition should make good additions to the PSP’s growing library. |
