The following is a list of version differences of Final Fantasy Tactics. Throughout the three main releases of the game, it has been subject to major alterations to the localization and difficulty. The War of the Lions features new additions not present in the other releases.

PlayStation[]

The first iteration of Final Fantasy Tactics released in Japan on June 20th, 1997.

North America[]

The English version of the game released only in North America on January 28th, 1998. Various features, including its localization and overall difficulty, were altered to be more accessible:

Localization - Simplified translation with smaller text used on the map screen, battle titles, and victory condition screens.

• Generic character quotes on the menu screen, viewed by pressing on a unit's name, are replaced with an ellipsis.

Gameplay Changes

• JP costs are lowered for most abilities and unlocking jobs.
• Faster charge times on select abilities, including Summons, Time Magic, and mystic's Induration.
• Improved statistics for several party members, including Ramza, Delita, Orran, and Cloud.
• Reduced statistics for several bosses, including Belias, Cuchulainn, and Wiegraf.
• Several boss units, such as Elmdore, no longer have the Safeguard ability, making it possible to break or steal their equipment.
• The four Sound Novel minigames are unavailable to the player and left untranslated within the data.

HD remaster[]

The original version of Final Fantasy Tactics can be accessed as the "Classic" version as part of The Ivalice Chronicles. The only change made to this version is the English script localized to a new translation similar to The War of the Lions. In addition, trophies and achievements cannot be acquired.

The War of the Lions[]

An updated port, with the subtitle The War of the Lions, was released for the PlayStation Portable on May 10th, 2007 in Japan, and later that year in October in Europe on the 5th, Australia on the 8th, and North America on the 9th. The former two marks the game's first release in those territories. Numerous changes were made to transform the experience of Final Fantasy Tactics:

PlayStation Portable version[]

• Localization - Re-translated text, including the script, naming of locations, characters, monsters, items, abilities, and jobs (e.g. Priest is now called White Mage; Cidolfas Orlandu is now called Cidolfus Orlandeau).
  • The script utilizes old English-terminology to reflect the medieval setting.
  • Several status icons are altered reflect their new names.
• Typeface - A larger typeface is used based off the original Japanese release, though menus and text boxes remain unchanged.
• Widescreen - A 16:9 aspect ratio.
  • This allows the party roster screen to display more characters per row.
• Full Motion Videos - New full motion videos with subtitles, including a remade intro and ending FMV. Several of these replace in-game scenes, specifically key story moments.
  • Voice Acting - Exclusive to the English versions, nearly every scene includes characters with voiceovers.
  • The Lion War and Job Demonstration attract mode videos no longer play when waiting at the title screen.
• Audio - Audio quality is reduced due to the PlayStation Portable's hardware.
• Framerate - Spellcasting and visual actions causes slowdown and affects the framerate.
• Multiplayer - A Multiplayer system with two game modes is added via Ad-Hoc.
  • Exclusive items are available in this mode.
• Gameplay Changes - Universal features that were implemented:
• Characters - Changes to existing characters as well as two new playable characters:
  • New Playable Characters - Luso Clemens from Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift, and Balthier from Final Fantasy XII are available to recruit in the story.
  • Cloud can be recruited earlier in Chapter IV after completing Fort Besselat, rather than after defeating Adrammelech.
  • Delita is briefly playable in two battles.
  • The special lines when using abilities during battle (such as White Magic and Swordplay) are removed from the English versions.
  • The attack name of a summon spell or Iaido ability is now displayed in the English versions, rather than the name of the summon or katana.
  • Generic character lines are now unique in the English versions.
  • Unyielding Blade skills from Meliadoul, Folmarv, and Orlandeau have been upgraded to damage enemies even if they are not using the specific piece of equipment (although they will still fail if said enemy has the Safeguard ability); this means monsters can also be damaged by these skills.
  • Rapha and Marach's seer abilities result in 1~10 random strikes instead of 1~6, and are more accurate. Reis's Holy Breath ability also has 1~10 strikes instead of 1~6.
  • All of Rapha's abilities are now learnable as soon as she joins the party in Chapter III, instead of most being unavailable until Chapter IV.
  • Wiegraf's stats when fought in Chapter III are lowered.
  • The Fort Besselat sluice battle in Chapter IV now ends when all enemies are defeated, instead of after throwing a pair of switches.
  • All game-breaking glitches are fixed, including the JP scroll glitch, weapon duplication bug, poach bug, ghost chocobo riding glitch, quickening glitch, and jump glitches.
    • The Oil status now properly doubles damage received from fire attacks rather than having no effect.
• Job System - The unlock requirements for existing jobs have been altered:
  • Nearly all jobs that have unlock requirements increase from one level increment (e.g. a unit with a level 2 job must now be at level 3 as the requirement). For jobs that require more than one job to unlock, only the ones with the increased increments are listed; if a job is not listed, its unlock requirement remains the same:
    • Monk - Requires a Level 3 Knight.
    • Thief - Requires a Level 3 Archer.
    • Mystic - Requires a Level 3 White Mage.
    • Time Mage - Requires a Level 3 Black Mage.
    • Orator - Requires a Level 3 Mystic.
    • Summoner - Requires a Level 3 Time Mage.
    • Geomancer - Requires a Level 4 Monk.
    • Dragoon - Requires a Level 4 Thief.
    • Samurai - Requires a Level 4 Knight and a Level 5 Monk.
    • Ninja - Requires a Level 4 Archer and a Level 5 Thief.
    • Dancer - Requires a Level 5 Geomancer and Level 5 Dragoon.
    • Bard - Requires a Level 5 Summoner and Level 5 Orator.
    • Arithmetician - Requires a Level 5 White Mage and Black Mage, and a Level 4 Time Mage and Oracle.
    • Mime - Requires a Level 5 Geomancer, Dragoon, Orator and Summoner.

Mobile versions[]

The mobile version of The War of the Lions released for IOS and iPadOS in 2011 and 2012, followed by an Android release in 2013. Numerous quality of life changes were implemented, such as improved framerates for spellcasting and special actions. Several sidequests and features either removed or significantly altered such as the multiplayer exclusive quests. The iOS version is not universally compiled; separate versions exist for iPhone/iPod touch and iPad devices. While the iOS version supports cloud saving through iCloud, the Android version does not.

These versions currently require a minimum of a 64-bit-capable SoC and either Android 6.0 or iOS 13.x

The Ivalice Chronicles[]

An updated port for the eighth and ninth generation of consoles released worldwide on September 30th, 2025, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Steam, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2. This compilation incorporates both the original release of Final Fantasy Tactics (actually based on the War of the Lions version without the bonus content) as the new, high-definition remaster of the game. Numerous changes were made for the latter edition, as well as one major change for the original version of the game:

• "Classic" Version - The original version of Final Fantasy Tactics can be accessed as the "Classic" version. It combines the original gameplay and graphics, with the English script replaced with The War of the Lions localization. The maximum number of units in the player party is 16.
• Enhanced Version - The primary high-definition remaster incorporates numerous changes:
• Expanded Script - New dialogue for characters and new story events have been added. The English script of unchanged scenes has been slightly adjusted, but for the most part is the same as in The War of the Lions.
  • Voice Acting - Voiced dialogue in all versions. For the English versions, major characters have new voice actors and re-recorded dialogue (e.g. Ramza, previously voiced by Phil LaMarr, is now voiced by Joe Pitts). Characters with no voice lines in The War of the Lions version are fully voiced for the first time.
    • Monsters are voiced as well and will make grunts and other noises.
  • Battle Dialogue - Additional dialogue during battle, including for various opponents. The dialogue also changes depending on which character(s) has been deployed.
    • In their final encounter, Goffard Gaffgarion mocks Ramza and Agrias for their idealistic views.
    • If Agrias is present during Zalmour's ambush at the Lesalia Castle Postern, she will attempt to convince the confessor that Ramza speaks the truth about Cardinal Delacroix.
    • If Agrias is present during the battle against Wiegraf at the Orbonne Monastery in chapter 3, he will taunt her and House Oaks, insulting her family name's rise into power as they bought their way into aristocracy after the Fifty Years' War.
    • Belias's death scene is longer, with Wiegraf lamenting his inability to avenge Milleuda.
    • Dycedarg's transformation scene is now longer, the game showing how he willingly uses the auracite due to his desire for power, triggering his transformation into Adrammelech.
      • Orlandeau has more dialogue with Elmdore and about Zalera when joining Ramza. The count laments Elmdore's fall from grace and using power and violence to bring his so called "peace", while the marquis shows respect for Orlandeau's honor, while questioning his idealism. Zalera tries to tempt Orlandeau into succumbing to the power of the auracite, claiming that the count's potential is promising, while claiming that his new world must be purged of the weak.
    • Zalbaag now notices if Cidolfus Orlandeau is with Ramza and asks him to look after his younger half-brother. Dycedarg at first thinks Orlandeau as a ghost come to avenge Duke Goltanna, before learning Orlandeau has joined Ramza's side in the struggle against the Lucavi.
    • Meliadoul Tengille has extended dialogue with Folmarv Tengille, Loffrey Wodring, and Cletienne Duroi at Mullonde Cathedral.
    • Cloud Strife has extra dialogue during the battle at Trade City of Sal Ghidos, referring to Aerith's fate and the promised land from Final Fantasy VII. If the player brings Cloud to Mullonde, Folmarv confirms that Cloud's soul is a copy from another plane, having transcended with the power of the auracite, which created the soul-copy of a body.
    • Various characters have extra dialogue in the final encounter against Folmarv/Hashmal if they are included in Ramza's party.
      • Folmarv/Hashmal will tell Agrias about Ovelia being a lowborn replacement to secure the throne.
      • Count Orlandeau reaffirms his conviction to vanquish Folmarv to stop his plan.
      • Folmarv again questions why Meliadoul never used the auracite he had bequeathed her.
      • Mustadio states that the Taurus auracite from Goug led him to the necrohol and to face Hashmal. He is determined to face him and survive, having made peace that whatever may befell him, he shall stand with his comrades.
      • Beowulf recaps the extended story included in War of the Lions but not in The Ivalice Chronicles, vowing his everlasting commitment to Reis. Folmarv/Hashmal tries to unsuccessfully convince Reis to switch sides, claiming she is not fully human as she is harboring a dragon's soul.
  • Conversations - New character conversations are added. Some of these conversations only take place under specific conditions. Characters also have different quotes when interacted in the unit menu, which will change over the course of the chapters. Generic units now have unique quotes as well, with various different lines for both male and female. Monsters also show various expressions.
    • Unit menu quotes for Ramza and the unique party members will change over the course of the chapters.
      • Each unique party member—except for Beowulf Cadmus, Reis Duelar, Construct 8, and Cloud Strife—have a special quote when reaching the final dungeon.
• Restored Content - Several features and material from the original version that were omitted in the final product were added:
  • Conversations that were cut from the original release due to time constraints have been added back. There are hidden branching dialogue options in some exchanges between characters, such as Ramza and Gaffgarion.
  • The four Sound Novel minigames are now available to the player in all languages. They are found as errand rewards.
• Plot Context - Changes to the dialogue has altered the context of several scenarios and plot points in the game:
  • Ramza and Gaffgarion's final confrontation is changed to show that both characters regret for having to confront each other. In past versions, Gaffgarion simply states that he feels cold, followed by Ramza saying good-bye with little signs of care.
  • Those transformed into a Lucavi retain their memories and personalities, as opposed of being completely possessed by the malign entities.
    • The scene of Loffrey recruiting Wiegraf, where Wiegraf expresses hesitation and awareness of the Church's manipulations, is not present in The Ivalice Chronicles, portraying him as joining the templarate without hesitation. Even while under the form of Belias, Wiegraf remains fueled by his ideals and revenge for the aristocracy, and mourns his sister's death after being defeated by Ramza and his party.
    • Elmdore's change into a Lucavi is portrayed as a sudden and unwilling incident in previous versions. In The Ivalice Chronicles, Elmdore explains that he desired power, and willingly made a pact with Zalera.
    • Dycedarg being possessed by Adrammelech was originally portrayed as an unwilling or unwitting action, as Dycedarg was implied to be dead when the Lucavi took over. In The Ivalice Chronicles, Dycedarg willingly makes a pact with Adrammelech and gives himself to him.
  • After Adrammelech is defeated, in past versions, Ramza is uncaring that House Beoulve has fallen, stating that one is the sum of their actions, not their name. In The Ivalice Chronicles, Ramza instead is saddened he has lost both of his brothers, and hopes that if he can shed the label of heretic that he may be able to restore his family's name.
  • Cloud's presence in Ivalice is not fleshed out in past versions of Tactics, leaving the player with the impression that he is the same Cloud that is in Final Fantasy VII, transported from Gaia by the machine in the Clockwork City of Goug. The Ivalice Chronicles clarifies that the Cloud in Ivalice is a copy of the original Cloud's soul given a body by the auracite.
  • Loffrey Wodring and Cletienne Duroi are implied to have been possessed by lesser demons in past versions, with Ramza stating that they give off a similar aura to Celia and Lettie. In the The Ivalice Chronicles, both men are unaware of the true nature of their plot and believe that what they are doing is best for Ivalice.
• Ending - The ending has been expanded as a result of the collaboration between Yasumi Matsuno and Ramza's voice actor Shinnosuke Tachibana.
• The Character Encyclopedia expands on various characters' histories, such as with Agrias and House Oaks, but no longer shows characters' ages.
  • Finishing the game and saving a clear data unlocks new character stories in the encyclopedia that flesh out the end of the War of the Lions and the outcome for certain characters, most notably Queen Louveria Atkascha being executed due to her involvement in causing the war.
• Omitted Content - Several features and changes from the PlayStation Portable version were omitted:
  • The Dark Knight and Onion Knight jobs are omitted.
  • Playable characters Balthier and Luso, as well as the cutscenes, Chronicles entries, and events involving them, have been omitted.
  • There are no multiplayer modes.
  • The Bordham Darlavon tutorials do not take the player to the battlefield nor party menus, and are only pages of text, which describe more gameplay mechanics.
• Omitted Story - As well as jobs and characters from War of the Lions being omitted, some story that was added was also removed:
  • A scene where Cletienne recruits Wiegraf at his sister's grave is omitted.
  • An extra battle where Cletienne attempts to kill Ramza and Meliadoul comes to his aid.
  • Extended plot in Beowulf and Reis's side quest where the player helps him face Aliste Rosenheim and Bremondt Freitberg have been removed, although Bremondt is mentioned.
• Gameplay Changes - Major changes to the gameplay were incorporated, primarily in both audio and visuals, and also include an updated user interface:
  • Re-balancing - Numerous statistics in both party, enemies, abilities, and equipment have been adjusted.
    • Regular movement can be cancelled if it is done before acting, as long as the character did not move to a treasure, crystal, or a trap.
      • Movement also cannot be canceled if the unit has effects that activate after moving (e.g. mystic's Manafont or arithmetician's Accrue JP).
    • Zodiac Compatibility changed worst compatibility with incompatible signs between same sex enemies, to best compatibility for them to do more damage, with more accuracy, to each other, just like best compatibility for opposite gender attacks in previous versions.
    • The preview damage for axes, bags, and flails (weapons with variable damage) is now more accurate; instead of previewing the the maximum possible damage, the average damage will be shown.
    • Chemists have innate Treasure Hunter and when equipping the Treasure Hunter ability, have an increased chance at finding rare treasure compared to other jobs.
    • The chemist's Reequip is no longer free to unlock; it now costs 50 JP.
    • The archer, summoner, and soldier have faster charge times.
    • The unlock cost of the time mage's Teleport movement ability has been increased to 3000 JP.
    • Fly has been reduced to 900 JP with Bahamut being reduced to 1000 JP. These abilities are also much faster to learn due to JP being increased for both errands and battle.
    • Magick of the highest graduation (e.g. Curaja, Thundaja, Hasteja, etc.) can now be passed on via a deceased unit's crystal.
    • The terrain type is listed in the action menu directly adjacent to the Geomancy skill action command, as a quality of life improvement.
    • Dragoons horizontal jumps have been renamed with the highest one now called "Horizontal Jump +7" instead of "Horizontal Jump 8". Still has the same effect.
    • Rapha Galthena's Sky Mantra and Marach Galthena's Nether Mantra abilities have been improved to more consistently hit enemies.
      • Nether Mantra skills will work if Marach has Atheist status.
    • Cloud Strife's Blade Beam and Climhazzard have been renamed to Blade Burst and Ascension to reflect the changes to the Final Fantasy VII Remake series. He is also recruited around the party's level instead of level 1, and has more jobs and abilities unlocked by default.
      • Almost every Limit skill has improved charge times.
    • Beowulf Cadmus, Reis Duelar (in her human form) and Meliadoul Tengille now join the party with more jobs and abilities unlocked by default.
    • Guest characters cannot change their jobs nor learn secondary abilities outside their current job.
      • In addition, they no longer occupy space in the unit roster and instead have their dedicated slots in the guest menu.
    • Chapter 4 has story enemies with more HP even when not playing on Tactician difficulty, such as Messam Elmdore having over 700 HP when previous versions had him under 600.
    • Red dragons now have Fire Breath by default and use Thunder Breath with Beastmaster, instead of it being the other way around like in prior versions.
  • Combat Set - This new feature allows the player set up to three preset equipment, jobs, and abilities for each unit.
  • Favorite Units - Players can mark up to five favorite units, which will be positioned at the top of units list. Favorite units will have their platform marked red.
  • Reorganize Units - Characters can now be moved and manually sorted in the unit menu.

    

  • Battles - Random encounters are no longer mandatory; when the moving over a non-story battle tile and triggering an encounter, a message will prompt the player with the options to fight or flee. The same area can be selected to intentionally fight over and over without advancing the date.
    • When an enemy transforms into a Lucavi during their battle, the entire battlefield lights up based on the colors of the respective auracite.
  • Pre-battle overview - Prior to start a battle, players can now see the map and where their characters will be positioned. In addition, units can have their jobs and abilities changed while in the pre-battle screen.
  • Retry Battle - Players can now retry ongoing battles from the start, with the option to either change the unit setup or using the existing one.
  • The player can retreat from consecutive battles, but items and EXP gained from there will also be lost.
  • Autosave - Automatic saves after battles, as well during battles when a player unit gets a turn. The game keeps up to five auto-saves. This will allow a player to retry for rare items for Treasure Hunter or Poach mid-battle.
  • Fast Forward - The option to increase the speed of dialogue, battle, and world map movement is available.
  • Turn Order - During battle, all characters and enemies display numbers that represents their turn order.
  • Map Marker - During battle, the player can set up to ten markers on the map's tiles.
  • Grid View - A top-down perspective can be toggled during battle is added that presents the battleground as tile spaces.
  • Job Display - Players can see the job tree to switch jobs and see job dependencies.
  • Increased Units - A maximum of 50 units in the party.
  • Location List - Shows what kind of shops are available in each town.
  • Quick Removal of Creatures and Eggs - A toggleable option in the game's settings that allows players to quickly dismiss monster units and destroy eggs without prompting the confirm window; human units still need a confirmation.
  • Sell Equipped Items - It is now possible to sell gear that is equipped on characters, and the shopkeeper will ask which characters to sell the gear from.
  • Ramza's Sprite Color - Players who pre-ordered the game and/or purchased the Deluxe Edition, it is possible to change the color of Ramza's sprite, which applies to all his costumes regardless of story progression.
  • Gallant Knight - When reaching chapter 4, Ramza's squire job is renamed to "gallant knight" to symbolize his journey and character growth; this does not affect gameplay.
  • Poaching - When first arriving at the Poachers' Den in chapter 3, the player is presented with a mini tutorial that explains how to poach and acquire items from the monster carcasses.
    • When poaching a monster, rare carcasses can be identified by a distinct icon next to them.
      • Autosave can allow a player to reload for rares, especially if they bring in their own monsters to be poached.
    • The Poacher’s Den no longer requires someone with Poach to access.
  • Renaming Units - Generic units can now be renamed in the Guild as opposed to only monsters.
  • Recruitable Guests - Units that appear as friendly guests during random encounters, such as monsters, have a chance to be permanently added to the party after the battle, provided they survive the encounter.
  • Cancel Travel - After clicking on a town or dungeon in the world map, it's now possible to cancel the traveling, which will make Ramza halt on the nearest town or dungeon.
  • Equipment - Changes to equipment properties:
    • Players who purchase the Deluxe Edition of the game will gain four exclusive items:
      • Akademia Sword (Speed +1);
      • Akademia Beret (immunity to Charmed);
      • Akademia Tunic (grants Auto-Shell);
      • Ring of Aptitude (grants JP Boost, but does not stack with the actual JP Boost job ability).
    • Restrictions on female-exclusive equipment have been removed; male units can now equip hair adornments and perfumes.
      • Bags are now restricted to only Reis Duelar's dragonkin, bards and dancers.
    • Cloud joins the party with the materia blade equipped.
      • The hidden treasure at the Mount Bervenia's peak is now the materia blade+, which boasts superior attributes and also provides magick attack power +4.
    • Messam Elmdore's Genji equipment can now be acquired via stealing.
  • Trackable Side Story - After the player starts the sidequest "Secrets Beneath Goug", an icon will now mark the map showing the player the route to progress in the sidequest.
  • State of the Realm - A new story feature chronicles the overview of events, character relationships, and other relevant information of the world of Ivalice during the story.
  • Difficulty Options - Three difficulty options that can be changed at any time:
    • Squire (Casual) - Battles are far more accessible and easier.
    • Knight (Standard) - Based on the original game's difficulty.
    • Tactician - Battles are challenging and more demanding, though enemies will have better stats instead of ability skillsets and rare equipment. Enemies take 30% less damage and allies take 20% more damage. Arithmeticks will do less damage for attack spells but maintains consistent success rates for debuffs or Death. Healing is unchanged, except when healing is turned into damage (healing undead enemies/allies).
  • Full Motion Videos - The War of the Lions cinematics are viewable in "The Chronicle/Brave Story" in the menu.
  • Academy Report - Count of achievements regardless of platform-based achievements/trophies.
• Controller Support for Steam - Additional support for both keyboard & mouse and controller.
• Save Clear Data - upon finishing the game in the Enhanced Version, the player can save their game, which will put them back prior to the battle gauntlet in the Orbonne Monastery and Necrohol of Mullonde. This will add an icon next to the save data. Loading this save file allows the player to read new added lore in the Chronicles and State of the Realm menus.
• Music Player - finishing the game in the Enhanced Version unlocks a music player that allows the player to listen to the game's soundtrack, as well sound motifs (level up fanfare, errand results, etc.).
• Miscellaneous
  • During chapter 1, when Zalbaag Beoulve kills one of the Corpse Brigade's knights that drags Alma Beoulve to his chocobo, the sword he wields was an Ancient Sword in the original and War of the Lions versions. In The Ivalice Chronicles, the Ancient Sword is replaced with Save the Queen.
  • In the original and War of the Lions versions, there were several generic units in story battles that had unique portraits and randomized names. In The Ivalice Chronicles, these generic units will always have set names. For example: the Trade City of Sal Ghidos monk who extorts Aerith had a randomized name but always used the unique portrait. The name Lloyd was made permanent in The Ivalice Chronicles.
    • This also applies to regular generics in story battles who have lines-they will always retain the same name and voice actor, while non-speaking generics will be randomized like before.
    • These names are pulled from the list of random generic names, and thus can still be applied to other generic units if the special ones are not enticed.
  • Elidibus's auracite used to be depicted as first being blue, and later as green. In The Ivalice Chronicles, the auracite Elidibus possesses is always depicted as emerald green.