|
Final Fantasy IV
Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Square Enix
Genre: RPG
Release Date: July 22, 2008
Platforms: Playstation, Nintendo DS, SNES, GBA, WonderSwan Color
Reviewer: Eric
 Square Enix is known for re-releasing old Final Fantasy games. Last year we
saw the release of Final Fantasy I and II on the PSP and in 2006 the Final
Fantasy III remake was released on the Nintendo DS. With the success of the
Final Fantasy III remake Square Enix is giving us a remake of Final Fantasy IV.
Final Fantasy IV is my all time favorite RPG. This was the first role playing
game to feature a unique storyline. Instead of saving the princess you have to
go through a story with as many twists and turns as modern day RPGs. The story
will have one goal and then the next it changes. Overall the main goal is to
stop Golbez, even if that means changing everything else around you.
The Final Fantasy name is twenty years old. What better way to celebrate that
than having a remake of this classic game. Final Fantasy IV is a much more
polished remake than 2006s Final Fantasy III. The overall feel of this remake is
the team took more time. They learned from their mistakes and they have finally
gotten things right. I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again, this is the best
looking Nintendo DS game on the market. Square Enix defiantly knows how to push
games to the max and Final Fantasy IV shows that.
 This game has been around for years. When it was first released on the SNES it
was a breakthrough game on the new Nintendo console. An RPG like this has never
been seen before. In ways that is true on the Nintendo DS version, but certain
aspects have shown its age. The battle system is perfect (turn based) but when
you compare to the new, modern RPG (action/turn based) then you will be slightly
disappointed.
Trying to find this game on any other the other consoles might be difficult. For
$40 you can pick up this remake, which is cheaper if you look on eBay (things
might change because of the Nintendo DS release). There is a lot of gameplay in
this game, if you do all of the extras, even the new ones, then you are running
well over fifty hours.
Final Fantasy IV has some new and old (Playstation) cut scenes. To think that
the Nintendo DS could play full motion cut scenes like this will make you mad,
not at this game, but at the fact that other developers haven’t done this yet.
These cut scenes are a little grainy, though they are viewable.
Another huge difference in this game is the spoken dialogue. Almost half of the
dialogue in this game is spoken by different actors. I though adding in spoken
parts to this game wasn’t necessary, but once I heard it for awhile I was glad.
Hearing the emotion in their voices at key parts seems to open up a new door for
this game.
Rydia’s character offers a new aspect to the game known as her Whyt summon. When
talking to the Fat Chocobo you can change the face of this summon, power him
either by single or wireless play modes through mini games. These mini games are
nice for casual games, but to Final Fantasy IV fans this will seem a little
tacked on. If you want to play a mini game based game then pick up a different
game, don’t buy Final Fantasy IV.
One of the last new features is the ability to gain items for clearing dungeons.
If you are able to get 100% on any map then you will be rewarded. This is a nice
feature to hardcore fans that love clearing dungeons. For casual RPG fans this
might be annoying since you’ll have to run around the area just to get one
hundred percent.
Final Verdict
Final Fantasy IV is a classic among RPGs. The remake of this game is by far the
best Final Fantasy IV experience. This game has so many great things about it,
from the hours of gameplay to full motion video. There are a few problems I have
with this game, mainly certain new additions, but overall this is a great RPG
that should not be missed.
Rating
9.75 out of 10
Final Fantasy IV Trailer
|
