Final Fantasy Tactics A2

Final Fantasy Tactics for the PlayStation Portable has just hit stores in Japan, but it seems all eyes are on the in-development follow-up to the Game Boy Advance design for the Nintendo DS. Final Fantasy Tactics A2 was one of the major focuses of the Square Enix Party 2007 in Japan this weekend where dozens of systems were at the ready with demo versions for attendees to play. Since I was one of the attendees, I played. Even if it was only for a short few minutes.

Just as the name suggests, Final Fantasy Tactics A2 is the sequel to the Game Boy Advance version of the series. On quick screenshot glance it might appear that the Nintendo DS version is merely a dual-screen rendition of the GBA title, but mere seconds into the game it's clear that the visuals have received a major upgrade in the move from the old to the new portable. It's still a strictly 2D affair with sprite-based characters and backgrounds, but it's hard not to see the much sharper and more vibrant visuals in this sequel.

The early and short playtest didn't, however, show how the game's going to play differently compared to the original GBA title. The story still has a lighthearted, cartoony appeal which contrasted more sharply when played just a few feet from the PlayStation Portable Final Fantasy Tactics demo station. The snowball fight tutorial of the first game is gone in the sequel, replaced with a gargantuan bird attack where you'll learn the initial set of commands, moves, and basic nuances to this turn-based strategy game.

Many of the gameplay elements of the Game Boy Advance title -- from the job system to the judge rulings -- are employed in the Nintendo DS game. Players still have a huge assortment of characters with different attacks and abilities, and at the start of the game you'll have to choose which character in your army would be best used in the fight. Some characters have long distance attacks but stink when it comes to face-to-face encounters. And vice versa -- close range soldiers might be a solid addition to the front lines, but they'll need a few turns to get into the fight.

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