The release ofFinal Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicleswill prove that, in America and the West, the game’s theme is more relevant than ever before, especially compared with its original 1997 release. After years of rumors about the product, developer and publisher Square Enix finally confirmed the remastered version of the title, revealing thatit will be released on September 30 for PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and PC(via Steam). Thepreorders forFinal Fantasy Tacticsare already available for interested players, who can acquire the title on the respective storefronts for the platforms they wish.
The Ivalice Chronicleswill follow the story of the original game, but will bring forth several new features. The user interface, for example, has been modified to facilitate gameplay, allowing players to see turn order and better understand their units. Furthermore, players will also have access to updated visuals with detailed pixel art – though they can dispense theenhanced graphics inFinal Fantasy Tacticsto play the game in Classic Version, retaining the style of the original sprites.The Classic Version will also feature the War of the Lions translation. The remaster will also add an auto-save feature.
Final Fantasy Tactics Has One Of The Most Relevant Themes In The Series
The Game Talks About Inequality & Economic Struggles
While most games in the franchise offer deep dives into heavy themes, from inequality to existentialism,Tacticsstands out as one of the most well-written narratives in the series.The 1997 game follows the story of Ramza, who is met with inequality throughout his life. Class systems dominate the kingdom of Ivalice, and wars plague the region. In a statement made on the officialFinal Fantasyaccount on X (formerly Twitter), the script writer, scenario writer, and editor Yasumi Matsuno talked more about the game’s themes, including how Japan’s economic crisis inspired them to writeFinal Fantasy Tactics’ story.
He mentions that in the mid-to-late-1990s, Japan’s crisis led to nationwide debt and a high unemployment rate. In turn, this resulted in what he calls a “stagnation”of Japanese society.“It was an era when many were robbed of hope, when dreams were measured by their price tag.” According to Matsuno, this is the backdrop for the game’s store. “In 2025 – a time when inequality and division are still deeply rooted in our society – I offer this story once again,” says Matsuno. With this in mind,Final Fantasy Tacticswill become more relevant in America than ever before.
How America’s Economic Landscape Changed Since The Release Of Final Fantasy Tactics
The Cost Of Living Has Increased & Outpaced Inflation
While Japan was going through the economic crisis that inspired the story ofTactics, America and most Western countries were living a moment of prosperity. Despite its offshore proxy wars, the society of the United States was at an all-time high when it came to living conditions back in 1997. However, that has significantly changed since then. The CPI (Consumer Price Index) measures inflation, andfrom 1997 to 2025, CPI has increased by over 2% per year, according to theU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Another factor to take into consideration when comparing the two periods is the cost of living.
One of the main elements that dictate the cost of living is wages. The nationwide average annual wage in 1997 was around $17,000, according to data from theU.S. Bureau of Labor Statisticsand theCensus Bureau. In 2024, the average annual wage in the country was around $55,000.Wage growth has outpaced inflation, but it has been met by the increase in living costs. According to data registered by theU.S. Federal Housingsystem, in 1997, the average cost of a home in the U.S. rested at around $120,000. Nowadays, the average cost of a home is above $400,000.
While it is one of the most significant aspects to consider, the increase in the price of housing is not the only factor that has increased the general cost of living in America since the release ofFinal Fantasy Tactics.Healthcare, education, transportation, and even everyday goods, services, and household supplies have had spikes in their costs, many of which have exceeded inflation.
According to archived data by theCMS(Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services), healthcare costs have tripled, while research by theCollege Boardhas shown that education costs have seen a 5 times increase.
In general, the cost of living in the United States has increased by over 100% when considering inflation-adjusted wages.While the average American is facing more difficulties with their daily lives, thanks to the increased cost of living, another issue that plagues the country is economic disparity and inequality. The divide was made even more evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, which had serious economic implications on employment rates, for example. The change in the economic setting in the country since the release ofFinal Fantasy Tacticswill likely make it more relevant than before.
Why Final Fantasy Tactics Will Make More Sense In America Than Ever Before
The Game’s Message Will Resonate With Its Audience
Given how America has gone through growing economic problems over the years since the release of the original game, nowadays, its public will likely better understand exactly what the title is talking about. The game made sense for the Japanese audience in the late 1990s because it told a story inspired by the economic crisis the country suffered during that period, and thestory ofFinal Fantasy Tactics:The Ivalice Chroniclesis bound to resonate with American audiences who have now felt economic crises firsthandmore than it did back in 1997.
Another factor to consider is that, in the late 1990s, the long-lasting stereotype that video games were for children was still at full strength. As a result, it’s likely that a large portion of the players of the original game, at the time, were, in fact, children. Nowadays, these children have grown into adults, so the players who are revisiting it (or those who didn’t have a chance to play the original title)will now be able to fully experience the game and better comprehend theFinal Fantasy Tactics’ message, possibly afterplaying thousands of hours of Square Enix RPGs.
There will likely be a lot ofchanges withFinal Fantasy Tacticsremaster, but the story shouldn’t be one of them. This is one of the most well-crafted narratives in the franchise due to how heavy the themes it deals with are, and how much they relate to the struggles that we have in economy-dictated countries. Knowing how the story develops, I’m sure that the game will appeal to its new or revitalized audience, andFinal Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicleswill get the attention it deserves.
Source:X/Final Fantasy, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (1,2),Census Bureau,U.S. Federal Housing,CMS,College Board
