Developer: Square Enix
Publisher: Square Enix
Release: TBA
What separates Final Fantasy Tactics Advance from most other handheld SRPGS? Its level of polish. As with the original Final Fantasy Tactics game for the PlayStation, Square Enix put its talents and resources behind FFTA's soundtrack, character designs, and solid mechanics. Even today, five years later, the GBA title's presentation outclasses releases like Hoshigami Remix and Luminous Arc.
Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift continues that high-budget, high-quality tradition. While Square Enix hasn't yet announced a US release date, and we're disappointed about the the game's lack of both online and offline multiplayer features, we're excited about all the sequel's additions -- 400 missions, Revenant Wings-esque item synthesis, a reworked law system, bigger enemies, an expanded map with distributed "area maps," and a ton of new job classes.
FFTA2 now boasts over 45+ different professions, ranging from Chocobo Knights (Chocobo-riding Moogles) to Bastards (a surly lot). Just as interesting as the vocations included are the ones that were cut from the final release due to time constraints or continuity issues. We came across their design documents while sifting through Square Enix's dumpster for discarded figurines, and we've posted the never-seen-before job classes right here for you!
Chimney Sweep
- sweeps your chimney
- walks around covered in soot
- after years of choking on grit and dust, dies an early death due to cancer caused by inhaling carcinogenic chemicals in the soot
Real World Roommate
- accuses you of disrespectin' her
- refuses to accept any apologies or assurances that you had no intention of disrespectin' her
- tells everyone in the house that you're disrespectin' her
Damn Cargo Shorts-Wearin' Kids
- wears those damn cargo shorts every day
- has too many pockets for their own good
- perpetuates the misbelief that wearing camo anything is acceptable fashion (e.g. camo cargo shorts)
Gangsta Rapper, Circa Early-to-Mid 90s
- checks himself before he wrecks himself ('cause shotgun bullets are bad for his health)
- is the capital S oh yes so fresh N double O P -- D O double G Y D O double G, ya see
- calls his crew while you call your crew so you can rendezvous at the bar around two
- is better than your favorite rapper
Overbearing Asian Mother
- belittles any and every measure you take to establish yourself as an individual
- repeatedly insists that you should've become a doctor or a lawyer, like your successful cousins, instead of studying "computer"
- leaves you with crippling feelings of inadequacy and social ineptitude
Cute Friend Whom You Have a Crush On
- hair smells of strawberries, sunshine, and summer possibilities
- is a kindred spirit; totally on the same wavelength as you
- looks at you pityingly when you ask her out
- just wants to be friends
- isn't ready to date anyone right now
- sleeps with four other dudes -- simultaneously! -- the following week
ALF
- is back in pog form
Gallery: Final Fantasy Tactics A2
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Once face-to-case with the film, you'll have little time before the cops show up. You won't be able to take them on now at this point in your training, so grab everything that says American Ninja on it and duck out of the door. Once out of the store, put your heels to the pavement and run as fast as you can back to your family.
Despite the bright colors and the game's dependence on the Shibuya youth culture, it's not quite as happy-go-lucky as it might seem at first glance. Yes, fashion and music play heavy roles in the title, and the game centers around a group of teenagers, but the underlying themes are much darker than one might expect. Not only is Neku's life on the line, but so is that of his new partner, the stylish Shiki, and they face the "Noise," which are physical manifestations of dark thoughts and feelings. As with many Square Enix titles, there are a lot of darker underlying themes hidden in the story. In fact, the game was adapted into a short manga that serves as a prologue to the main action, the death game that rocks the lives of the characters.
When we think about DS homebrew, we imagine a bunch of talented people with their laptops hooked up to their bathtubs, using all sorts of magic and blood rituals to produce the things that they do. It's one thing for paid developers to make games, what with their fancy-schmancy development kits and other perks. Homebrewers, on the other hand, don't get as many helpful tools, or recognition, or rewards for their labor. That's why we're completely in awe of the homebrew community.
