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The title says most of my question, if you've played it, tell me what you thought. I personally thought it was a great game, although you could only make certain races certain jobs. The only race i think got ripped off were the moogles, all of their jobs seemed really pointless, since i couldn't use em for really good fighters or ranged people. (I know people here will hurt me when i say this, but I don't know what FFT is like cause I've never played it so i don't know if this is really inovative or not ) Discuss.

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www.allinthepackage.com

i love this game. FFTA has sucked away more hours of my life than any other game i've ever played. i totally agree that moogles would be completely ointless if it weren't for their Totema. all in all, 9.5/10

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moé in the streets, senpai in the sheets

FFTA was alright. The moogles weren't that bad, the gunners made decent long-range attackers in a pinch, plus had the extra status effects with their Gunmanship skill. The jugglers/time mages were great support units - TMs for obvious reasons, and the jugglers because they were stronger and could move farther and faster than the time mages, plus what I considered their key skills (Ring/Smile) didn't cost any MP. Blindingly painful lack of plot, decent (if not mediocre) music, but one of the biggest time-wasters ever (which has come in handy many a time).

I can honestly say FFTA is probably the only GBA game I've bought that I felt was truly worth the money (not counting the Super Mario 3 remake, but that's in entirely different class all its own).

I loved the different races and cool new jobs! it was great to see Moogles as active characters again (even if they weren't that great... I only really used Montblanc anyway), the Viera, Bangaa, and Nu Mou were all very cool as well. (And the brought back Red and Blue Mages! Hot damn!) The story was very "kid's story book" style, but that wasn't a problem, its what they were going for. I liked it because, for the genre it was trying to encompass, the core storyline was solid and well told. Everyone gripes that it wasn't as grand as FFT, well, no, duh, it wasn't trying to be. It was trying to be a different experience, and it succeeded admirably.

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And behold, I saw a Pale Gaming System, and the name of he who rode it was Squaresoft, and Enix followed him.

I didn't play the game for story, I played it for its battle system. The laws were annoying, but you should always pack anti-laws. For me, the ultimate cheese was an Animist using Sheep's Wool (see, Moogles have their perks), then a Viera using Last Breath on the sleeping victims. Also, I kept a No Mou Illusionist constantly churning out Stardust with one or two other characters speeding him up with Haste then Quick. It's a surefire way of getting those pesky enemies who like guerilla tactics.

i accidentally got Montblanc killed yesterday in the jagds. well, there goes my only good moiogle. i replaced him with an uber strong Bangaa, my second favorite race. i turned him into a Galdiator and gave him an Arch Sword. so, i've got a Sage/White Mage to handle the magic, two ninjas, an assassin, a white monk, and a gladiator.

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moé in the streets, senpai in the sheets

it was ok, and i liked it. but when your done with it, its not tht fun

Montblanc got killed in the Jagd's? Is that even possible? He's a main character! Or did this happen after you did everything he's required for?

Another thing, I likely won't play this game again, since I really don't feel like trying to go through all the missions and remake all the characters. I still have it around for if I need soemthing to do when I'm away from home for along while, but I don't know. It just doesn't engage me the way FFTactics for PS1 does.

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And behold, I saw a Pale Gaming System, and the name of he who rode it was Squaresoft, and Enix followed him.

Yes, Montblanc can get killed in the Jagds. If you check his options in the Party menu, you can kick him out of your clan (a fine repayment for saving Marche from getting his pansy-ass whipped by two Bangaas ). I figure that thus, like any other clan member, he can die in the Jagds.
That being said, I wonder if Montblac's dying or being kicked out of the clan would change any of the cutscenes he's involved in...

i wonder what his brother Nono is gonna say? lol.

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moé in the streets, senpai in the sheets

I loved FFTA, I liked the Battle System the Job System and Multiple Races. Also, I just scored FFT on Ebay and am going to play it as well. I know that didn't have anything to do with this topic. Heheh I actualy tryed to kill MontBlanc in th Jagds before (I wonder if it could affect the Ending at all). Again I truly loved FFTA.

well, so far it hasn't affected a thing. but, i only just beat Exodus.

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moé in the streets, senpai in the sheets

Really? Not even the Nono cutscene?
Heh, I find it amusing that you actually bothered to kill Montblanc off in the first place. I'm rather fond of the little guy; he's my powerhouse Black Mage.

the scene with Nono telling you abotu his merchant ship doesn't happen. instead, the pub keeper tells you that Nono left you a letter and it tells you about the merchant ship

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moé in the streets, senpai in the sheets

The fact that Sqaure bothered to make a game plan without Montblanc is just creepy...

Man, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance is so good! It has this constant addiction that never ceases to exist! I love it so much! I recommend this to anyone who loves the Final Fantasy series and I give it a 10/10. It basically combines the whole Final Fantasy saga together in one through a tactical grid-based strategy game. It has all the weapons, armors, helms, accessories, and items from every Final Fantasy which makes the game so amazing! Not only that, but the music is so good!

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Pray that Square will come back to Nintendo!

I have to agree with SharkerBob, FFTA was the first GBA game that I haven't regretted at some point. I got to be a knight again after many year of no-knights in the newer FF games. Horay for PLD.

As for Monty (my name for Montblanc) I was always far to greatful to up and kill him in the god-forsaken jagds. He is a GUN/JUG and is very useful with my Nu' WHM/TIM. I use them to make a Quicken-Smile chain so that I can move them farther then their limited Move scores will allow.

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My Final Fantasy Tactics: The War Of The Lions Avatar

The Brave Knight
Name: Eirikir Lashius (Ramza)
Role: Knight
Age: 23
AA1: Arts of War
AA2: Guts
R: Counter
S: Concentration
M: Move +3
W: Durandal
O: Reverie Shield
H: Grand Helm
B: Grand Armor
A: Brigand's Gloves

FFTA was alirght, but FFT is MUCH, MUCH better. FFTA didn't have the dark theme FFT did - the story sucked, and so did the music.

To make things more interesting, I killed off Montblanc in the first Jagd you go to.

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Let's see you figure out the truth of this quote...dun dun dun.

"The following sentence is true. The preceding sentence is a lie."

Yeah, that was lame. <_<

I ended up fighting only in the jagds because the laws were very cumbersome. Sure it encouraged diversity as to have a natural way to get around the laws, but it also made you carry a diverse amount of anti-laws. Considering that most of the areas had repeated laws, you often got screwed and had to penalize yourself in battle or "go to jail".

I'd give it two stars if I could, but after playing FFT for two thousand hours, I couldn't get into the spirit of the game. Even though it wasn't really targeted at a younger demographic, I can't help but feel that way. I still beat it but I doubt I'll be picking it up again anytime soon.

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It's gonna be a glorious day
I feel my luck can change

I borrowed a copy a short while ago. I don't really think it's that great, though that may be because I keep comparing it to FFT.
It's mostly technical stuff. It looks like they tried combining FFIX's Ability system with FFT's job system. I prefer the job levels to Ability amount when it comes to obtaining new jobs (I think that's how it works). What grinds me the most, though, is the grid-square system. For one, when you enter battle, it's always the same setup. I prefer a little variety in where you can enter. The main thing, though, is targetting. When you target a spell, you don't get the grid-squares to light up like in FFT. Plus, it's harder to see who is getting hit. I've slammed my own guys with spells more than once.
I'm not that far yet, but the story is kinda stupid. It looks like it was designed to cater to those who like to imagine themselves in video games. Plus, so far, the story just seems to consist of spontaneous explanations of the world. I haven't found a central conflict yet, which is also a minus.
The extra races don't seem to have any major purpose. They're sorta "just there." The purpose of the multiple races seems to be to limit the number of jobs a single character can have.
Overall, it's mediocre, though the minuses in this game stand out for me.

Edit

Another note: Alot of the formulas seem over-simplified in some areas, and overly-complicated in others. Especially with the accuracy/evade

This post has been edited by Dark Paladin on 23rd August 2004 22:53

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"I had to write four novels before they let me write comic books."
-Brad Meltzer

I don't think anyone here would say honestly that FFTA is better the FFT. That being said though, FFTA is, in the minds of many here, one of the best games on the GBA.

I only had three problems with it.

1. I wish they had added "Movement Abilities".

2. The story, if you can call it that. "Oh god! I'm in FFLand, I'm important, friends happy, crippled brother walks, must, destroy, paradise." COME ON!!!

3. Law System? "What do ya mean I can't use Holy Blade?"

This post has been edited by Eric on 21st August 2004 14:37

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My Final Fantasy Tactics: The War Of The Lions Avatar

The Brave Knight
Name: Eirikir Lashius (Ramza)
Role: Knight
Age: 23
AA1: Arts of War
AA2: Guts
R: Counter
S: Concentration
M: Move +3
W: Durandal
O: Reverie Shield
H: Grand Helm
B: Grand Armor
A: Brigand's Gloves

Quote (Eric @ 21st August 2004 09:23)

2. The story, if you can call it that. "Oh god! I'm in FFLand, I'm important, friends happy, crippled brother walks, must, destroy, paradise." COME ON!!!

3. Law System? "What do ya mean I can't use Holy Blade?"

Exactly. It's a great game, but the story was awful. I felt like killing that kid.
And the law sustem, while very original and rather creative, was one of the most annoying things to come out of Square, right next to Cait Sith.

Its hard to say if it's a bad game or a great game, I guess it just depends on how you think of it.

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I fear my heart and fear my soul
Life goes on, it surely will,
Without me and I wonder:
Will I ever see light again?

Life goes on...

i will definately agree that the law system was very annoying. by the end of the game, it's almost like it's built just to handicap you in the last fight.

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moé in the streets, senpai in the sheets

mine won't even allow me to change my main characters job class

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.::You think a minor thing like the end of the world is gonna do me in? -- Sabin::.

.::What I have shown you is reality. What you remember... that is the illusion. - Sephiroth ::.

.::A pro isn't someone who sacrifices themselves for a job. That's just a fool. - Reno::.

what? you should be able to change it whenever you want. you might be confused because his outfit doesn't change with his class, just like all special characters(like Montblanc).

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moé in the streets, senpai in the sheets

well i figured it out today..i had the group fighter but couldn't use it yet because i had not learned enough soldier abilities

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.::You think a minor thing like the end of the world is gonna do me in? -- Sabin::.

.::What I have shown you is reality. What you remember... that is the illusion. - Sephiroth ::.

.::A pro isn't someone who sacrifices themselves for a job. That's just a fool. - Reno::.

Like many people, I agree it would have been a much better game with a decent story and less laws. The laws seriously frustrated me enough to make me quit playing for weeks, especially when they start getting more all-encompasing.
But I still have managed to play it more than any other GBA game, mainly because there's so much to do in it. My main beef right now with GBA is how short all of the games are. Fortunately FFTA is not like this.

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Hip-Hop QOTW:

"Yeah, where I'ma start it at, look I'ma part of that
Downtown Philly where it's realer than a heart attack
It wasn't really that ill until the start of crack
Now it's a body caught every night on the Almanac"

"Game Theory"
The Roots

I have mixed feelings... I agree about the laws... it got really out of hand when it hit the 3-at-a-time point and ruined the playability for me a tad, especially the Dmg2 laws. >< The story was rather poor, although I did have a bloody good laugh at (forgets hero's name) 'thingy's reasoning. "Lets go destroy this dream so my brother is dying again, friends hate me, ALL these fantasy creatures stop being, the prince's mother is dead again etc" he had a real 'Evil the Cat' thing going on. But I liked the set up for the classes, and how your stats grow based on what jobs you used. I also think the Viara are an AWESOME race...

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The Arcana are the means by which ALL is revealed.

My thoughts basically run along the same lines. I despise the law system. It's extremely aggravating to be playing a game, get distracted for a minute, and forget about a law and then have to redo the entire mission again. (Permanant stat losses suck.) It was an interesting idea, but it became annoying.

One thing that I never did entirely understand though... Why was the bangaa from the first battle sent to prison for using a potion AFTER battle? I can only guess that the rules apply not only to battles but to everything for that particular day. (Battles or otherwise.) There's real justice in action...

The story was okay, not great, but it was somewhat fitting for how I see the game. To me the game is the perfect on-the-go game. While in most RPG games, the story is of prime importance, in a portable game, it's not always as important. The lack of story actually helps to facilitate the atmosphere of casual play. The story was adequate. In this way, it doesn't matter that FFTA has an inferior storyline to FFT. FFT, great game that it is, can't be played on the go, while FFTA can. (Baring special solutions such as laptops, etc...)

I've never regretted the purchase and it has earned a place up there with Aria of Sorrow, as my one of my favorite GBA games.

Quote (Endless Knight @ 29th August 2004 10:49)

The story was okay, not great, but it was somewhat fitting for how I see the game. To me the game is the perfect on-the-go game. While in most RPG games, the story is of prime importance, in a portable game, it's not always as important. The lack of story actually helps to facilitate the atmosphere of casual play. The story was adequate. In this way, it doesn't matter that FFTA has an inferior storyline to FFT. FFT, great game that it is, can't be played on the go, while FFTA can. (Baring special solutions such as laptops, etc...)

And 'that' right there, is why the law system for just the reason you pointed out cannot work. It's ment to be on a handheld; played on the go... like you're gonna remember all those laws with all the noise and stuff going on. I may have been able to cope with just the one law, two in a pinch if they 'must', but it got rather silly mya... As for your comment on the story, you are right, a handheld game shouldn't really be as in-depth as a consol one, but I still think our hero's original reasoning was uber flawed. =P

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The Arcana are the means by which ALL is revealed.