Legault reviews Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift (DS)

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance 2: Grimoire of the Rift is the third tactics game (the first one was for the playstation) and the first (with hopefully more to follow) for the DS. While it doesn't get as immersive and epic as it''s predecessor it's still a fantastic game.
+ Auctions. Every in-game year you can partake in auctions in order to gain territory and rare items. The system is well implemented and well programmed.
+ The missions are well done and with plenty of variety.
+ The races are pretty well balanced ('cept moogles... they suck :D their only use is for a game-breaking Chocobo knight-Summoner exploit). Every race has specific jobs and some minor differences.
+ The skills are still very well done and with the magic system change you really get to play around with them a bit. Let's also remember that now all your units gain AP... awesome! Byebye grind or unwanted leveling...
+ Challange. The original game lost this very quickly while this one offers it a lot more... especially the tourney after completing the story :D
+ The Magic system has had a very big change: everybody starts without mana and has to regain it at a slow rate. Very nice implementation, good for balance but takes some time to get used to.
- Before combat you can ask the judge for a favor and this affects the battle... The thing is... Most battles it's useless while for some battles it's necessary... A bad game-breaking implementation.
- Some classes have to be unlocked, same with some races. Why?! This is just annoying...
- Nerfs. Quite a lot of classes have lost so much of it's power... Viera Assasins were awesome... now useless 'cept for nostalgia (and they didn't touch those red mage/summoners?!)... Illusionist was pretty weak... now useless (even the computer doesn't use them anymore <)

All in all a very good and fun game but not flawless. If you have a DS you should get this game and it's predecessor.