Of all the hallowed names in the JRPG pantheon, few command the reverence of Final Fantasy Tactics. Since its 1997 debut, its complex political narrative, deep tactical gameplay, and haunting aesthetic have cemented its status as a cult classic. While the original PlayStation version was a masterpiece, it was not without its flaws, most notably a notoriously flawed English localization. In 2007, Square Enix addressed this and more with Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions for the PlayStation Portable. This was not a simple port; it was a comprehensive remaster that elevated an already legendary title into its definitive form. To discuss its "score" is to analyze a symphony of enhancements that harmonize to perfect a timeless composition.
The most immediate and celebrated improvement in War of the Lions is its complete overhaul of the script. The original localization, while charming in its own archaic way, was often confusing, grammatically erratic, and failed to capture the Shakespearean gravitas of Ivalice's War of the Lions. The new translation is a revelation. It adopts a faux-Elizabethan English, rich with "thees," "thous," and a formal, theatrical cadence that perfectly suits the game's tale of feudal intrigue, religious corruption, and tragic betrayal. Lines like "Blame yourself or God" become the far more poignant "Tis your birth and faith that wrong you, not I." This new script doesn't just make the story clearer; it transforms it into a genuine work of epic literature, granting characters like Delita Heiral and Ramza Beoulve a depth and tragic nobility that was only partially realized before.
Complementing this literary revival is a suite of technical and presentational upgrades. War of the Lions introduced beautifully animated, hand-drawn cutscenes produced by Production I.G., the renowned Japanese studio behind Ghost in the Shell. These scenes are not mere filler; they are integral to the narrative's emotional impact. The opening movie, set to the game's iconic "Ovelia's Theme," immediately sets a somber, majestic tone, while key moments like the death of Wiegraf's sister Milleuda are rendered with a pathos that the original's in-engine graphics could not achieve. These cinematic interludes serve as powerful anchor points throughout the journey.
Furthermore, the game added new content that enriched the experience for veterans and newcomers alike. This included new jobs like the powerful Dark Knight and the intriguing Onion Knight, new characters such as Balthier from Final Fantasy XII and Luso from Final Fantasy Tactics A2, and a host of new side quests and multiplayer-enabled battles. These additions were thoughtfully integrated, expanding the game's strategic possibilities without unbalancing its finely tuned mechanics. The core tactical gameplay—a chess-like dance of Jobs, abilities, and positioning on isometric grids—remained gloriously intact, its depth and challenge as compelling as ever.
However, to solely praise War of the Lions is to ignore the one note of dissonance in its otherwise flawless score: performance. The PSP version was plagued by a noticeable slowdown during certain spell animations and combat actions, a technical issue that became a point of contention within the community. For some, this lag significantly hampered the flow of battle. Yet, for many, this was a minor tax paid for an otherwise perfect package. It is a crucial part of the "score's" history—a reminder that even definitive editions can carry the scars of their hardware.
The audio score itself, composed by the legendary Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata, requires no remastering, for it was perfect from the start. The soundtrack of Final Fantasy Tactics is one of gaming's greatest, and War of the Lions presents it in its full, uncompressed glory. From the urgent, driving strings of "Antipyretic" during boss battles to the melancholic beauty of "A Chapel" and the absolute despair embedded in "Back Fire," the music is the soul of the experience. It elevates every moment, every victory, and every heartbreak. It is a masterpiece of orchestral and folk-inspired composition that perfectly captures the game's unique blend of high fantasy and gritty, grounded warfare.
Ultimately, the score for Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions is a near-perfect 10/10. It represents the gold standard for what a remaster should be. It did not simply polish the graphics and call it a day; it went to the heart of the original experience and improved upon its every weakness. It gave the story the eloquent voice it always deserved, added meaningful new content that respected the original vision, and wrapped it all in a new cinematic presentation. The lingering technical issues on PSP prevent it from being absolutely flawless, but they are a small price for the immense wealth of improvements.
War of the Lions is more than a port; it is the final, definitive statement on Ramza's journey. It is the version that allows the game's profound themes of class struggle, the corruption of history, and the personal cost of holding to one's convictions to resonate with their full, thunderous power. It secured the game's legacy not just as a beloved classic from a bygone era, but as a living, breathing masterpiece that continues to captivate and challenge players. It is the version that truly earns the title of a classic remastered, a brilliant score played once more with a fuller orchestra and a clearer, more powerful voice.
