10 Video Game Spin-Offs BETTER Than The Main Franchise

Final Fantasy remains a trendsetter for RPGs, having now reached 15 main entries since it first appeared in 1987. Selling over 149 million copies worldwide, its success has led to no end of spinoffs over the years and one prominent sub-series is the Ivalice Alliance.

Perhaps best known as Final Fantasy XII’s setting, XII was actually the fourth game set within Ivalice, as it was originally home to Vagrant Story and Final Fantasy Tactics. Released in 1997 on PS1, Tactics brought in a new, isometric gameplay approach, a great customizable job system and changed the battle mechanics.

Whereas main entries used a more simplified battle system, Tactics took a more detailed approach. Spread out across a wider map, fights took ally/enemy positioning into account with distance, area of effect actions and an action system that accounted for recharge times.

It released to high praise and its plot was noted for it’s maturity, though some criticism was levelled at the localisation. Seeing a PSP remake in 2007 and two follow-ups across Game Boy Advance and DS, Tactics easily held its own against the main franchise.