Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift

Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift is a turn-based tactical RPG from Square Enix that came out for the Nintendo DS in 2007 as a sequel to Final Fantasy Tactics Advance from the Game Boy Advance. The story follows a boy named Luso, who is mysteriously transported from his world into the fantasy kingdom of Ivalice after coming across a mysterious book, the Grimoire of the Rift, and must find his way home while getting involved in local clan conflicts, taking on jobs from the bounty board, and completing hundreds of varied side missions across a sprawling map.

The battle system builds on a classic tactical grid with a rich job system, in which characters change classes, learn skills, and combine them across jobs, giving the player enormous room to experiment with both the clan's roster and individual fighters. Compared to the first game, it softens the controversial system of prohibited actions during battle and offers looser, more accessible gameplay with an emphasis on optional missions rather than a strictly linear story, opening the game up to a wider audience. The graphics use the same isometric, hand-drawn style as the previous game with colorful, vivid environments, and the music continues the series' traditionally high-quality and distinctive sound. The DS's second screen serves as a quick overview of units, their abilities, and battle status, which greatly aids orientation during longer battles in such a system-heavy game.

The game was well received as an entertaining, content-packed sequel, and for tactical RPG fans it remains one of the most substantial titles on the Nintendo DS thanks to its nearly endless amount of side quests, item collecting, and clan battles. It's among the titles that enjoyed a long lifespan on the platform thanks to the sheer volume of content for players craving the perfect clan build and rare equipment collecting.