Square Enix Announces ‘The Art of Final Fantasy Tactics’ Book for November 2026 Release Amid Remaster Success

Square Enix has unveiled an English-language edition of “The Art of Final Fantasy Tactics,” a comprehensive hardcover art book celebrating the iconic tactical RPG, set for release on Nov. 10, 2026.

Priced at $27.99 for the physical edition and $14.99 digitally, the 128-page volume promises hundreds of full-color illustrations, including never-before-seen concept art, character designs, job class visuals, rough map sketches and packaging artwork from the original 1997 PlayStation game, its “War of the Lions” enhanced port and the recently launched “Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles” remaster. Printed on archival-quality stock in an 8¼-by-11⅝-inch format, the book highlights contributions from legendary artists Hiroshi Minagawa and Akihiko Yoshida, whose intricate designs defined the Ivalice world’s medieval fantasy aesthetic.

The announcement, made Feb. 18 via Square Enix’s official Final Fantasy X and Manga & Books X accounts, has ignited excitement among fans still reveling in the remaster’s triumph. “Introducing The Art of Final Fantasy Tactics! This official art book is set to arrive later this year — preorder details coming soon,” the Final Fantasy account posted, garnering over 4,300 likes and 550 reposts within days.

Preorders are slated to launch imminently on the Square Enix Store, with availability at major retailers including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Bookshop.org, Crunchyroll Store, Indigo and Kinokuniya. The digital version will accompany the physical release, broadening access for global collectors.

This release arrives on the heels of “Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles,” an expanded remaster that dropped Sept. 30, 2025, across PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam. The title shattered expectations, surpassing 1 million units in global shipments and digital sales by Dec. 31, 2025 — just three months post-launch. Original director Yasumi Matsuno admitted he “underestimated” its popularity, having projected 800,000 to 1 million copies over three years. The remaster peaked at over 21,000 concurrent Steam players on launch day and earned widespread acclaim for refined visuals, an upgraded soundtrack and preserved deep strategy gameplay.

Final Fantasy Tactics Isn’t Getting a New Game, But It’s Getting Something Else for Hardcore Fans Later This Year

Final Fantasy Tactics, first released in Japan on June 20, 1997, for PlayStation, revolutionized the tactical RPG genre with its grid-based combat, expansive job system and politically charged narrative centered on noble Ramza Beoulve’s fight against corruption in the kingdom of Ivalice. Despite modest initial sales, word-of-mouth propelled lifetime figures past 2.4 million, spawning ports like the Game Boy Advance’s “Tactics Advance” and PSP’s “War of the Lions” with added anime cutscenes and multiplayer.

Ivalice’s lore expanded through titles like “Final Fantasy XII” and “XII: Revenant Wings,” cementing its status in the franchise. References persist in “Final Fantasy XIV,” including an Ivalice raid series. The art book’s timing capitalizes on renewed interest, offering fans a deeper dive into the visual evolution across three decades.

Square Enix described the collection as bringing “memories of Ivalice vividly back to life,” featuring development artwork that showcases the meticulous craft behind the game’s 300+ jobs, from Knights and Monks to esoteric classes like Mime and Calculator. Japanese fans received an earlier edition in October 2025, praised in YouTube unboxings for its “beautiful” presentation, fueling anticipation for the localized version.

Social media buzz reflects the fervor. X user @SquareEnixBooks declared it the “official art book for one of the most acclaimed tactical RPGs of all time,” while fans shared preorder hype and cover art previews depicting ethereal characters amid lush, watercolor-style landscapes. One post quipped, “This artbook looks incredible! The attention to detail in Final Fantasy Tactics is exquisite.”

The book joins Square Enix’s robust Fall 2026 lineup, including “My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Official Anime Fanbook” ($24.99, November), “The Apothecary Diaries: Xiaolan’s Story” Vol. 1 ($12.99, October) and others, signaling a push into print media amid digital gaming dominance.

Merchandise momentum builds too: Final Fantasy Tactics miniature figures are slated for North America in June 2026 and Europe in August, alongside FORM-ISM figurines of hero Ramza. Analysts view these as low-risk extensions of the remaster’s IP revival, potentially paving the way for sequels or further Ivalice explorations — rumors once swirled of HD-2D remakes, though unconfirmed.

For collectors, the art book represents more than nostalgia; it’s a tangible bridge to Ivalice’s enduring legacy. As one Reddit thread noted post-Japanese release, its pages capture the “insane job system depth” visually, complementing gameplay’s strategic unforgivingness.

Square Enix has not detailed exclusive content for the English edition but confirmed global store distribution beyond its online shop. With the remaster’s sales milestone and fan campaigns for ports like a potential Switch successor, this release underscores Tactics’ timeless appeal in a genre crowded by modern titles like “Fire Emblem” and “Triangle Strategy.”

As preorders approach, enthusiasts are urged to monitor official channels. The Art of Final Fantasy Tactics not only honors a 29-year milestone but reaffirms Ivalice’s place in gaming history, one illustrated page at a time.