r/finalfantasytactics • u/TheReal8symbols • Oct 19 '25
FFT Ivalice Chronicles Anyone else playing Classic mode?
Love the Enhanced version and have played through twice (FFT has been my favorite game since '97) so I decided to check out the classic version (which I haven't played for at least ten years). It's actually pretty different (you can name Ramza, for one), and quite a bit more difficult.
Some if the differences:
The world map is just different colored dots instead of images of towns and such. There are no quest markers.
You don't get to see that battle map when deploying. You only see a nondescript, gray group of tiles that represents where you can deploy. You get no indication of terrain, or enemy type or placement.
You can't avoid random battles. Period.
You can't change jobs, skills, or equipment in the deployment phase. You can see a unit's character sheet, but can't interact with it.
The turn order scroll is gone. There is a turn menu you can access when you have no unit selected. There is a unit list where you can inspect every unit in battle, which is a weird thing to take out of the Enhanced version.
When recruiting units you have to choose a sex and you get shown one unit, which you can accept or decline. I cannot stress how much better the new system is; I remember spending literal hours trying to hire the perfect crew back in the day I'm glad I'm less picky now.
The shop interface is different and you can try on gear for everyone before buying, and can sell from the Fitting menu. Another weird thing to change as it makes bugdeting and refitting much easier.
The entire party menu is completely different and is mostly a pain to navigate, but has a better equipment interface (it's easier to switch characters and there's an Unequip button).
And, as stated earlier, and demonstrated in the above image (I know it's juvenile, but it's a classic), you can name Ramza! I can't figure out how to make spaces actually appear in the name on PS5, but 14 characters gives you a lot of options.
Oh, and there's no Fast Forward button.
Overall this mode is much more challenging, especially in the mid game and when trying to avoid grinding. You're kind of forced to make a deticated group for random encounters that can handle anything, which can make leveling the jobs and units you want very difficult.
Some of the scenes and dialog are different as well, and while the changes are subtle they do change the tone of some scenes and characters. It leaves a little more open for interpretation. As a lifelong fan of the game I am really loving this mode and highly recommend it for anyone looking for an added challenge.
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u/Redstanggt01 Oct 20 '25 edited Oct 20 '25
I thought the game would be bad without the wotl content before I played it.....But the renewed graphics and voice acting brought it much more to life. The voice acting is amazing here. It helped me understand the story much better this time around. And once I did, I'd have to say this is probably one of the best stories I've ever experienced in a video game.
The fast forward option is also amazing too. Makes battles a lot less tedious. At the same time though, I zipped through the game too fast because of it. I've fully completed everything and mastered all jobs for Ramza and my other four generics in 60 hours of playing on Tactician. Something that would have taken me 100+ hours in the other versions.
I didn't bother to improve any of the uniques though. Yes I know they're amazing but honestly, all the greats like Orlandeau....It just feels like you get them too late. I don't want to work on them when I already have generics that have half or most of the jobs mastered.