Final Fantasy Tactics A2 - Grimoire Of The Rift... ^new^ ⚡ «EXTENDED»

Released in 2007 for the Nintendo DS, Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift is the second sequel to the original 1997 PlayStation classic and a direct follow-up to the Game Boy Advance’s Final Fantasy Tactics Advance. Set in the legendary world of Ivalice, it combines deep turn-based strategy with a lighthearted "isekai" narrative, making it one of the most content-rich tactical RPGs on the handheld system. A New Story in an Ancient Land

The game follows Luso Clemens, a mischievous student who is magically transported to Ivalice after writing his name in a mysterious, half-blank book he finds in his school library. Unlike the dark, political war-drama of the original Final Fantasy Tactics, A2 maintains a more whimsical tone.

Luso quickly joins Clan Gully, led by the non-human Revgaji leader Cid. Together with the talented thief Adelle and the Moogle minstrel Hurdy, they travel across the Jylland region to complete the book’s blank pages, which Luso believes is his only ticket home. Fans of the broader series will appreciate cameos from Final Fantasy XII characters like Vaan and Penelo, as the game takes place shortly after the events of that title. Deep Strategic Gameplay

The core of Grimoire of the Rift is its grid-based tactical combat. Players manage a clan of up to 24 members, choosing from seven playable races: Humes: Versatile humans with balanced stats. Bangaa: Reptilian warriors focused on physical strength. Nu Mou: Dog-like scholars who excel in magic.

Moogles: Small, nimble specialists in technical and support roles.

Viera: The "wood people," known for their incredible speed and agility.

Seeq & Gria: New additions to the series; Seeq are porcine powerhouses, while Gria are dragon-winged females capable of flight. The Job System and Bazaar

With over 50 different jobs—from classic Paladins and Black Mages to unique classes like Chocobo Knights and Sky Pirates—the customization is vast. Abilities are learned by equipping specific gear; once a character gains enough Ability Points (AP) from battles, they master the skill permanently. To obtain better gear, players must use the Bazaar system, trading loot dropped by enemies to unlock new items for purchase. Refining the Law System

A defining (and often controversial) feature of the Tactics Advance sub-series is the Law System. In A2, a Judge oversees every battle, enforcing a specific rule—such as "No Ranged Weapons" or "No Fire Magic". Facebook·JRPG Warriorhttps://www.facebook.com

Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift Review

Release Date: October 16, 2007 Developer: Mistwalker, Gaijin Entertainmet Publisher: Square Enix Platforms: Nintendo DS Final Fantasy Tactics A2 - Grimoire of the Rift...

Story: The game takes place 20 years after the events of Final Fantasy Tactics. The story follows Luso Clemens, a student at St. Ivalice Monastery, who becomes trapped in a mysterious book known as the Grimoire of the Rift. This book serves as a portal to different worlds and timelines, setting the stage for Luso's adventures. Alongside his friends, Ramza and Tietra (who are familiar to fans of the first game), Luso navigates through various scenarios, battling foes and unraveling the mysteries of the Grimoire.

Gameplay: The gameplay in Final Fantasy Tactics A2 remains largely faithful to the original, featuring isometric, grid-based battlefields where players command a team of characters with unique abilities and jobs. The game introduces some new features, such as the ability to move characters freely around the battlefield during the "Run" phase, and a more streamlined magic system.

The game also includes a new "Job" system, which allows characters to change jobs and access new abilities. The job system includes a variety of new jobs, such as the Foebreaker and the Shikari, each with its unique abilities and playstyles.

Graphical and Audio Enhancements: The game features improved graphics over the original, with more detailed character sprites and environments. The soundtrack, composed by Tokuomi Kaminaga, provides a nostalgic feel while introducing new themes.

DS-Specific Features: The Nintendo DS version takes advantage of the dual screens, displaying the battlefield on one screen and character information and menus on the other. The touchscreen is used for menu navigation and commands, providing an intuitive interface.

Reception: Final Fantasy Tactics A2 received positive reviews for its engaging gameplay, rich storyline, and faithful adaptation of the Tactics formula for the DS. Critics praised the game's depth and challenge, though some noted that the game's pacing and difficulty could be uneven at times.

Conclusion: Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift is a worthy sequel to the original game, offering fans and newcomers alike a rich tactical gaming experience with a deep storyline and engaging gameplay. While it builds upon the foundations laid by its predecessor, it also introduces new elements that refresh the series. For fans of tactical RPGs and the Final Fantasy Tactics series, it's a title that is well worth playing.

Rating: 4/5

Recommendation: For fans of tactical RPGs, especially those who enjoyed the original Final Fantasy Tactics, and anyone looking for a challenging and engaging game on the Nintendo DS.

Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift tactical role-playing game developed and published by Square Enix Nintendo DS Released in 2007 for the Nintendo DS, Final

. Released in Japan in 2007 and globally in 2008, it serves as a sequel to the 2003 Game Boy Advance hit, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance , and is part of the Ivalice Alliance Core Game Report Protagonist & Plot : The story follows Luso Clemens

, a mischievous boy transported from a modern-day school library to the fantasy world of

after writing his name in a magical book. Unlike its predecessor's darker themes, the plot is often described as more lighthearted—essentially a chronicle of Luso's "summer vacation" adventures as he seeks a way home alongside the clan leader and the thief Gameplay Mechanics Turn-Based Strategy : Combat occurs on 3D isometric grid-based battlefields. Job System : Features a deep system with over

(classes) across seven playable races, including the return of Humes, Moogles, and Viera, plus new additions like the winged and porcine The Law System

: A central mechanic where "Judges" enforce specific rules for each battle (e.g., "No Fire Magic"). Following the law grants Clan Privileges

(stat boosts), while breaking it loses these perks and the ability to revive fallen units. Bazaar System

: Players obtain new equipment by selling loot found in battles to guilds, which then craft new items for purchase. Quest System : The game is highly substantive, boasting 300 unique quests

. While only about 20 are required to finish the main story, completing them all offers hundreds of hours of gameplay. Audio & Visuals

: Features a "bright summer" aesthetic with a musical score composed primarily by Hitoshi Sakimoto

, utilizing high-quality sound streaming that takes advantage of the DS hardware. Critical Reception The Law System (Fixed): In the original FFTA

It May Continue – Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift

The Gameplay: Where It Shines

This is the reason to play FFTA2. The game takes the Tactics Advance engine and polishes it to a mirror shine.

The Law System (Fixed): In the original FFTA, laws were infuriating. Break a rule, get a red card. In A2, breaking a law just means you lose bonus rewards. No more match resets. You can even nullify laws with anti-law cards. This is the perfect compromise.
The Class Variety: You get over 40 jobs across 5 races. The Gria (winged dragoon-like females) and Seeq (chubby pig-men) are new additions. Mastering a class unlocks new passive abilities that carry over—the cross-class customization is addictive.
The Bazaar System: Instead of buying weapons outright, you loot materials from enemies (Mist Dragon Fangs, Griffin Claws, etc.) and unlock new gear recipes. This creates a delightful loop: fight monsters → get loot → unlock better gear → fight stronger monsters.
The Length: The main story is only ~20 hours. But the side quests? Over 400 missions. You can easily sink 100+ hours into this game. Every single map has hidden treasure, rare spawns, and optional boss fights.

Final Fantasy Tactics A2 vs. The Competition

How does Grimoire of the Rift stack up against its siblings?

Winner: Grimoire of the Rift wins on mechanics and replayability. It loses on narrative weight.

If you want a serious story about the Lucavi and the Zodiac Braves, play the original Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions. If you want a 200-hour job-grinding simulator with no stress, Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift is your game.

Who might skip it

Players seeking a strongly driven narrative or emotionally rich characters.
Those who prefer modern UI conveniences, faster menus, and less repetitive mission-grind.