Series Synopsis ; Final Fantasy Tactics
What an intriguing, captivating, and unique storyline! While its ties with religion (and politics) may seem a touch controversial, I thought the central theme/story was put together remarkably well. And although the translation was "okay" at best, it was still moderately easy to understand (the translation, anyway). The one thing I love(d) about Final Fantasy Tactics is the fact that you can relate so well to the characters in the story; I always felt like I was apart of the events taking place, rather than simply being an onlooker into some fantasy world.
FFT's main character, Ramza Beoulve, is the morally righteous child born into the noble family (the Beoulves). Son of Balbanes and half-brother to Zalbag and Dycedarg, Ramza takes on many of the same character traits as his honest, justice-seeking father. And as the term "half-brother" would imply, Ramza isn't as close to his brothers, as he is to his full-blooded sister, Alma Beoulve.
Unlike many of the other Final Fantasies, this game's theme is focused on familial love, rather than the romantic love that is always being showcased. In my opinion, this love is just as beautiful (if not more beautiful), than the love between Squall and Rinoa or Locke and Celes, etc. It's more relatable, too, because while not everyone has been in love with another, almost everyone has deeply loved another (like parents/siblings).
Another apparent theme to this game is the downright treachery and backhandedness of the "good," the bad, and the ugly. You honestly can't trust a single character for a second (besides the permanent good guys on your team). Nobody (and I mean nobody) is as they seem; many of the "good" guys end up being evil bastards.
Anyway, back to the actual storyline -- FFT starts out with Alazlam, (a scholar of ancient Ivalice history), who tells you that the real hero of (what would later be referred to as) The Lion War was not Delita Hyral (Ramza's best friend growing up), but that it was the unspoken hero, Ramza Beoulve. However, due to the fact that the church altered important events of history to present a more acceptable "truth" to the public, the tragic and fearless life of the true hero was hidden... until the release of the Durai Report, which was written by Olan (stepson of Cidolfas Orlandu).
Alazlam takes you on a journey, allowing you to relive history in the shoes of Ramza. It begins at the end of the "Fifty Year War," when conflict has arisen amongst Larg and Goltana (representing the crest of the White and Black Lion), who both want to rule the throne. This, of course, causes a great amount of problems and eventually rips apart the Kingdom of Ivalice.
This is where the story actually begins. Princess Ovelia is kidnapped by one of the Nanten Knights (Delita), which causes a huge stir amongst everyone... and that's where I'll end my synopsis. I'd rather you play the game entirely through and soak up the storyline for yourselves, since it's rather intricate and lengthy. Let's just say that manipulation is the king when it comes to Ramza's world; nobody is safe.
