Published: Tuesday, 22nd July, 2008 12:00
Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift
By Narin Bahar
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School has broken up. But for mischievious Luso Clemens there's one last detention to sit through before he can escape. Alone in the library he finds an ancient book with magical powers which pulls him into the mystical land of Ivalice and the middle of a battlefield. And it might just be the key to a peaceful school holiday for gamers everywhere...
Having evaded death, and met some of the heroes of the Final Fantasy games including Penelo and Vaan, Luso must explore the world and try and find a way home.
With his every action finding its way into the mysterious book as he makes it, Luso becomes involved in the competitive world of clans, where factions battle to complete tasks, earn money, reputation and experience in the process. The more cities you travel to and quests you complete the more game unfolds around you.
The turn based battles also have different rules imposed on them which these weapons and skills can help with. You don't have to obey the rules, but if you do you get more treasure and a privilege which increases your attack capabilities or boosts your stats. As you fight in battles you can collect weaponry to kit out your clan. This is one of the more slow burning elements of the game because initially your team will be small anyway, but means over time you can make your army a real force to be reckoned with.
Final Fantasy Tactics A2 might be just the thing to keep young gamers out of trouble during the summer holidays. The main quest is pleasingly immersive, and with a plethora of side quests, hidden achievements and characters to find there's enough here for hours and hours of gaming. Plus it looks beautiful. Really beautiful. Forget the dark drama of the Final Fantasy games proper, this is bubble gum coloured fun, but the graphics and music are so lush they'll keep you smiling while the simple fight system, and focus on collecting things in the game play means you'll end up addicted to this little gem of a game.
The one glitch with it is the stylus doesn't work that brilliantly - but if it bugs you that much you can press the buttons instead. Either way it's a brilliant game well worthy of your time.
Four stars out of five.
* Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift is out now on the Nintendo DS.
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