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The greatest nostalgia trip I ever took.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 16 / 19
Date: August 19, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Hardcore RPG gamers of the old school variety will know what I'm talking about. When this game was originally released in the U.S. as "Final Fantasy 2" on the Super Nintendo; this genre barely existed stateside. But those of us that picked it up had our tastes in video games -if not in all entertainment- permanently changed after playing FF4. There were two kinds of people I showed this to back in the day: people who couldn't even comprehend a game where instead of controlling a character directly you issued them orders and watched them carry them out, and people who became instant hardcore RPG fanatics. Type B: this one's for you.

FF for the NES was a cute little adventure where you handpicked your party out of a small array of cookie-cutter archetypes and set about hunting treasure and fighting monsters and such. It was a start. That and "Dragon Quest" were the only games in town at that time. Then, along with the SNES came this mindblower. Having been skipped over by two Japanese sequels, Americans were treated to their first video game that was on par with other mediums of entertainment. Mario could jump around, Sonic was fast, Samus had cool weapons, and Link had massive worlds to explore, but did you ever really FEEL for them? Did you ever have to watch them die for reals, knowing that you wouldn't be playing as them again in this playthrough? this game made me feel loss, excitement, accomplishment, and a genuine NEED to see what was going to happen next. FF4 has a story that could compete with the best novels, great art designs, wonderful characters with unique abilities and personalities, epic powers at your control, and what I still consider to be the finest score ever in a video game. This one changed video games from a childhood diversion to a lifelong obsession for me. I've spent nearly two decades wishing for a direct sequel (FF: Mystic Quest" was a HUGE letdown), a cartoon series, a movie, something/anything to pay homage to the video game that deserves it most. Final Fantasy VII on Playstation was the first huge hit of the series and the one that gets most of the love from younger fans, but it lacks the flawless execution, focus, and originality of 4. Nonetheless, it's popularity earned it a cool CG movie and spin-offs. But my prayers have been answered in a way with this ground-up remake of my favorite game of all time. I bought the Nintendo DS just for this game. Now let's just hope it catches on this time around and gets the FF7-like treatment it deserves.

I showed the opening animation to a woman at work and her jaw dropped. "SO COOL!" were her exact words. That barely begins to describe how much I enjoyed seeing my favorite characters realized in 3D glory after some 17 years of picturing it in my head. FF4 has been faithfully reproduced in it's entirety with completely redone graphics, new character models, actual cutscenes, some voice-acting, and many more new additions that only make this classic better. You can now raise and train your very own monster who can be conjured to battle in your summoner's place using techniques learned from your party. The training consists of several mini-games that use the DS's stylus in interesting ways. You can even draw the monster's face however you like. Very cool. The dual-screens make using the mini-map extremely handy. The augment capability adds some customization to the game and assures that even when you say goodbye to your favorite characters, some of their talents can still help you out. The only way I could be happier with what I got was if it had been given the full-on next-gen treatment on the Xbox 360. And yes, I would buy this game yet again to experience that. It is that good. A hundred bloated Lost Odysseys, Legend of Dragoons, and Blue Dragons as well as subsequent Final Fantasy games have tried and failed to recapture the one-of-a-kind character work, epic story, unforgettable score, and perfect pacing of this almost-forgotten relic of a genre that is still going strong in part because of the groundwork laid by this title. This is the most fun one can have with one tiny game cartridge.

I spend most of my free time watching genre films, reading comic books and novels, playing story-based video games, and watching any outstanding television series out there, so rest assured that I know a great story when I see one regardless of the medium. Playing through FF4 -even for the dozenth time- gives me the same feeling I get when watching the Star Wars Trilogy or reading The Lord of the Rings. Great fiction is great fiction and this is the kind of game, dated as it is, that reminds me why I'm still doing this at age 30. If you've ever enjoyed a role-playing game in any way, shape, or form don't hesitate to pick this up. It is the best Japanese RPG of all time and it accomplishes that without mindblowing graphics, dozens of lengthy cutscenes, or even decent voice-acting. Buy it!

One of the Best Final Fantasies Reborn

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 12 / 12
Date: July 25, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Pros:

+Impressive Visuals
+Fantastic soundtrack
+Very likeable characters
+Augment systems helps gameplay along
+Fast paced battles
+Good storyline

Cons:

-A very difficult game, even those who mastered Final Fantasy IV previously will have a hard time if they don't go about battles right

In 2006 Square-Enix released Final Fantasy III on the Nintendo DS. It got by in America mainly because the game never had a prior release. The success of the game was such a surprise to Square that they decided to redo Final Fantasy IV. Unlike Final Fantasy III, though, Final Fantasy IV has had several releases. The original Super Nintendo, the Playstation version and recently, the Gameboy Advance. With so many versions out there already, Final Fantasy IV DS will need more than just a face lift to make it worthwhile, and it manages to do so. At its core its still the same classic game you've played before, but there are some additions that make the DS version worth playing, even for those who completely mastered previous releases.

The story of Final Fantasy IV is a classic and still holds up well more than fifteen years later. The game opens with Cecil, the leader of the Baron Red Wings. He has just completed a mission for the King of Baron to secure a powerful Crystal, but feels it was the wrong thing to do. When he returns and questions what has gotten into a King, the King strips him of his duty and orders him to deliver a ring to the town of Mist. Something has gotten into the King of Baron, and now Cecil questions his loyalty to the crown and ultimately decides he must do something about it. His journey will lead him not only to do what's right, but to eventually save the world.

The story is told through on screen text that's been redone to give the game a better feel as well as some dramatic cutscenes. There are even moments of voice acting in some of the games more dramatic moments. The voice acting and fantastic cutscenes help to flesh out the characters, who remain some of the most memorable in the series.

Battling is one of the best parts of Final Fantasy IV. It uses the ATB battle system, which means that the flow of battle is fast paced. Every character has an ATB gauge that must fill up before they can take an action. Every character also has unique standalone abilities to help you out. Tellah can use his "Recall" to cast spells he's forgotten, Rosa can pray and heal allies, Rydia can summon beasts. There are a ton of characters who join you, each with their own unique ability. However, when characters depart (as several will come and go throughout the story) they'll leave behind Augments to teach characters their abilities. Unfortunately you can only teach it once. Once a character learns it, they can't forget it or teach it to another character. Augments are more than just abilities departing characters used. There are also augments for standalone abilities like Auto-Potion and Counter. It's a good system that really forces the player to consider strategy. And you'll need to keep your wits about you, as Final Fantasy IV is a very hard game.

Final Fantasy IV has often been said to be one of the hardest RPGs ever made. Apparently Square-Enix took pride in that, as Final Fantasy IV DS is even harder than the original game. There's a strong need for strategy throughout Final Fantasy IV. The bosses in particular are brutal. Even those who mastered Final Fantasy IV time and time again will find this game to be very challenging. If you began with later installments (in particular, the Playstation games), Final Fantasy IV is a rude awakening.

When not battling, you'll be trumping through dungeons. The bottom screen of the DS displays a map of the dungeon. Uncover all of it and you'll get a reward. Usually an item that can be used. Final Fantasy IV also allows you to roam around using the stylus, but it feels like an after thought.

There's a lot of new stuff in Final Fantasy IV. The game has new secrets, new sidequests and new optional bosses for the gamer to tackle. It also has a new unique summon for Rydia called Whyt. Whyt, when summoned, basically takes Rydia's place in battle and uses the abilities learned by all the characters in your party. You can't control Whyt, however. You can raise Whyt's stats by participating in a series of mini-games, most of which are simple, but they're also not a whole lot of fun. It's necessary to bring out the best in Whyt, however. One neat thing about Whyt, however, is that if you power him up enough, you can go and battle friends online and see who has the stronger one.

Visually, Final Fantasy IV is easily one of the best looking games on the DS. The towns and environments all have the same layout as the original game, but they all look better than ever. The monsters in battle are equally impressive as are the games many cinematic moments. Some of the game looks a little pixelated in some spots, but it doesn't separate from the fact that its amazing looking. Final Fantasy IV DS is a visual masterpiece. If there was anything about the graphics to gripe about, it would be that the character models look a little too cute. This is especially strange when one considers the dark story and mature themes that Final Fantasy IV tackles. Regardless, it's still a beautiful game.

In addition to that, much of the music is reworked and sounds better than ever. Most of the voice acting is quite good. The voices themselves really fit for the characters. There are some instances where the voice work isn't as good as it could be, but it's still very memorable.

Final Fantasy IV DS is how an old school Final Fantasy should be done. It's old school charm comes out a lot (particularly in the difficulty), but at least Final Fantasy IV gets more than just a facelift. With new quests, story sequences, an ability system and a refined script, Final Fantasy IV is worth picking up even if you played the original to death. This is how Final Fantasy IV was meant to be played. If you haven't played Final Fantasy IV, this is a good version to pick up. If you have, it's worth reliving again.

Simply spectacular

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 8
Date: July 24, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Like Final Fantasy III before it, Final Fantasy IV has undergone a complete makeover for it's transition to the DS, and the game as a whole is a simply spectacular achievement. Completely remade in lush 3-D, Final Fantasy IV returns players to familiar faces like Cecil and Rosa as your journey begins. And what a journey it is. Final Fantasy IV for the DS blows the previously released, and well done, version for the GBA that came out a few years back, and despite the game's transition to 3-D, the core gameplay remains the same, and the overall experience has become all the better as well. The game looks great for a DS game, and while it hardly takes advantage of the DS' touch screen capabilities, there's really no reason for it to either. Customizing your characters is enjoyably addictive thanks to the new augment system, and the game seems more challenging as a whole as well. If there's any downside to Final Fantasy IV, it's that the voice acting is pretty weak. While it's nice to finally hear Cecil and his crew talk, the voice acting just comes off as kind of lame. That aside, there's a spectacular story here (one of the best of the entire Final Fantasy series) and deep, engaging gameplay that doesn't disappoint on any level whatsoever, so this is a minor gripe at the very best. All in all, Final Fantasy IV is a brilliant re-imagining of a classic game that any and every DS owning Final Fantasy and/or RPG fan should definitely pick up, and may very well be the best RPG available for Nintendo's dual screened handheld at this time. Thanks Square, you've done it again.

PERFECTION DEFINED

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 6
Date: July 24, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Never before has a remake of a video game been done with such care and precision, Square-Enix has achieved a wonderful thing with this game. For those of you that played FFIV back in 1991, prepare to be amazed. At last, the most ground breaking and engrossing RPG of all time has been revamped in full 3-D with EXCELLENT voice acting. Everything that you remember from the original is here, all of the characters look perfect, the voices fit them, the layout of the towns is EXACTLY the same as it was, even the treasure chests are in the same location as they were in the original. Some new features have been added as well, the Augment system allows you to assign abilities from characters that leave your party to other characters...and it comes in quite handy. The story has been expanded, and it really improves the overall depth of an already wonderful story (but all of those memorable moments are untouched...YOU SPOONY BARD!). The music has all been redone, but fear not, it's the same as it ever was, only better! For those of you that started playing Final Fantasy with FFVII, prepare to get a serious lesson in what a REAL RPG is like (not to knock VII, i enjoyed it too, but this is what Final Fantasy is all about). Back in the glory days, RPGs were incredibly difficult, and this one will take everything you've got. Don't be discouraged if you lose to regular monsters at the early portions of the game, just level up, and you'll be untouchable. All in all, I couldn't be happier with this game, it has everything that a good RPG should have. I encourage every gamer out there, both old-school and new-school to buy this immediately and embark on the unforgettable journey with Cecil, Kain, Rosa, Rydia and Edge. You will NOT be disappointed, in any way.

An old school Final Fantasy gamer's dream come true

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: August 13, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Let me start off by saying I have played every Final Fantasy (including the Legend and Adventure series) since I was seven years old and the original Final Fantasy was released.

Final Fantasy 2 (4) for the SNES was always in my opinion the best Final Fantasy and was high above all the other titles in terms of gameplay, plot, music, characters, etc. No other title in the series was capable of dethroning it no matter how good the graphics, in fact the series gradually got worse as the graphics improved and the plot and characters became dilluted. When those graphics improved, I imagined always how it would be to have a remade version of this title with better graphics, and improved features. Many years later, it has arrived.

But this review is not about the series, it's about this specific game. This game is absolutely amazing. The only negative about the re-release was that it wasnt ported to the Wii or a home console and we must stare at a small screen. Even so, for die-hard fans of the game it is well worth your money.

As many have pointed out, there are a lot of new bells in whistles in thsi release. First off, the game is very difficult. An experienced Final Fantasy gamer would have very little to no challenge breezing through the SNES version or the other ports. In this one you have to watch your HP very carefully, because the fights are no joke -- especially with the bosses. This, overall makes for a much better gaming experience.

GRAPHICS -- A huge jump from the previous releases. Think Final Fantasy 7 style graphics and thats what you have. The sprites are not realistic looking, but they are not meant to be. However, what they have done with the technology is an impressive change and adds a lot to the game.

MUSIC -- The music got a minor facelift. Some tunes have added sounds, which overall was very well done. For the most part, the sounds are not tampered with very much and it sounds excellent.

SPEECH and CUT SCENES -- This part to me was what made this remake EXCELLENT. The cut scenes and way the characters talked are almost how I imagined in my mind playing the old version with 2D sprites. It invokes a certain sense of nostalgia that can only be felt by experiencing it for yourself. For example, the scene in the beginning when the ring is delivered to the village of Mist and the encounter with Rydia. Square-Enix has decided to use these cut scenes at perfect moments, and with flawless translation. This will really grab your attention and keep you playing and for me was the best part of this game.

NEW FEATURES -- Quite a bit was added to the game that was not before seen. I will list them:
1. Maps on one of the screen of the dungeons and world maps
2. Character "paper doll" for when you equip weapons with ability to rotate view.
3. Rydia gets a new summon, with multiple mini games and upgrades to enhance it.
4. New translation of the entire dialogue.
5. Added scenes. A lot more is explained as 2/3 of the original dialogue was cut out for the US version. This is all added back in and we learn a lot more about the story.
6. Augment system. You can now change abilities of characters after they leave your party.

The list goes on and on....

In short, if you are a huge fan of this game, or even remotely interested buy this title. Anything said about it not being "quite different" or the upgrades not being worth it nitpicking because this title deserves nothing short of absolute praise.

Still a great game with sme interesting new features.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: July 25, 2008
Author: Amazon User

When this game was first released here in the states a group of us got together and powered through it over the first 24 hours (give or take) of having. We'd each take turns playing for a couple of hours. Eventually everyone else fell asleep and I kept on playing. By dawn the next morning I was in the last dungeon marching through the multitude of mini-boss battle to the final boss. Some great memories there.

Now I get to play this awesome game again, just at a more leisurely pace this time. One of the reasons to take more time with the game is the inclusion of mini-games for you Eidolon Whyt. These mini-games are pretty fun, reward you with items, and increase the strength of Whyt when you summon it for battle. Also new to the game is some nice cut-scenes and voice acting. It brings the game up in the epic feel while still retaining everything that the great offered when it first came out.

If you are an FF fan and a DS owner you probably don't need these reviews to know the game is worth buying, but if you are on the fence rest assured the game is definitely worth buying.

Fan-freaking-tastic!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: August 11, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I couldn't be more pleased with this version of Final Fantasy IV. I played the US SNES version many times in the early 1990s, and find this one to be a pleasant update. The CGI sequences, voices, and overall 3D character and environment rendering are top-notch for a DS game. Despite the facelift, the core gameplay and story remain the same, and were among the best created in the 16-bit era.

There are numerous changes to the game, actually. The translation is different--subtly in some places, and greatly in other places, such as the original's puzzling "One to be born from a dragon" poem--but it still has Tellah's great line "You spoony bard!" The cutscenes are now rendered in 3D, with some of them having spoken dialog (which was well-done). The battle system is tweaked a little bit, and even includes an auto-battle option, which automatically plugs in your most-used commands. It's great for grinding/leveling up, which you have to do periodically.

It IS more difficult than the 1992 US version, but there are some compensating measures that make it easier, too. First, characters have additional special abilities that make them more useful. Second, there are special ability modifiers you can give to your characters, to make them stronger and more versatile than in the old version. Third, the auto-mapping feature makes navigating dungeons FAR easier than before.

If you like RPGs with good stories, fun combat systems, and don't mind leveling up your characters between boss battles (that's what the game is all about, after all), then I would recommend picking this game up immediately.

One of the finest fantasies reborn once again!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: August 14, 2008
Author: Amazon User

After it's original launch on the SNES in 1991, "Final Fantasy IV" (re-named II in North America at the time) proved to be a very enthralling RPG for its time. In late 2001, it was re-released for the original Playstation, bundled with "Chrono Trigger" in "Final Fantasy Chronicles". The translation was better and CG-rendered cutscenes were added. For purists, it was a return to the nostalgic days on the SNES. In 2006, the game was re-released for the Game Boy Advance, under the name, "Final Fantasy IV Advance". The translation and graphics were better than ever and it became one of the most popular portable RPGs available! Finally, in 2007, FFIV is reborn once again for the Nintendo DS.

The graphics, translation, and music have received a complete makeover and the end result is amazing! The game has gone completely 3D with new voice-overs, but with the original gameplay intact. In addition, there are new secrets, such as New Game+ mode, which allows you to replay through the game a second time, with rare items and weapons collected from the last playthrough. However, there's no denying that this is the hardest version of FFIV by far! Enemies and bosses are stronger than ever and you'll have to use good strategy if you're determined to get past them. This may frustrate some gamers, especially those new to the genre. Cons aside, this is an excellent remake of FFIV! Fans of the SNES/PSX/GBA releases will enjoy playing through the game once again. Highly recommended!

Final Fantasy IV......

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: August 19, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Being the first game I've played in awhile, Final Fantasy IV delivers the goods like it ought to. I'll admit, I played the Gameboy Advance version of this game and loved it but came into this one a little speculative about whether it'd be any good or not. Well, I'm here to tell ya' that it is the best Square Enix remake I've ever played. Matrix really did a good job with this remake. It easily trumps Final Fantasy III in every way. The story itself goes a little something like this....Cecil is the lord captain of the Red Wings of Baron. Bound by his duty to serve his king and country, his conscience is heavy with the sins that he is committing in their name. Returning from a mission to Baron's friendly neighbor Mysidia, he finally dares to question his king's motives. For his insubordination, Cecil is stripped of his rank and sent on an errand north to the village of Mist, where his destiny is revealed to him and his journey begins. The story itself is told in cinematic style prsentation with voice acting. Throughout his journey, Cecil is joined by a number of intriguing characters: Kain, his best friend and a dragoon of considerable skill; Rosa, his lady love, who became a white mage to support him on the frontlines; Rydia, a summoner capable of calling the legendary Eidolons (referred to as summon monsters in other games) to her aid; Tellah, a revenge-driven sage who's forgotten more than most have learned; and many more.

Make no mistake, though, Final Fantasy IV is only for the hardcore RPG fan. Why, you ask? Well, unlike FF3, the battles in this game are really hard. If you make it through a battle, you'll realize it isn't through luck that you did but sheer skill. Admittedly, I went away from the game feeling more satisfied that I did but was annoyed somewhat by it being so hard. Yet, I think it reaches that perfect challenge.

The graphics are simply amazing. Simply the best I've seen on the Nintendo DS. With easily the best character and world designs on any game.

Final Fantasy IV DS: A remake that cannot be missed!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: August 20, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Seeing that Final Fantasy IV (known as Final Fantasy II for the Super NES) was released around 15 years ago, there are a whole generation of youngsters and teens that never got a chance to experience this game.

And, for some of us, Final Fantasy II was one of the best RPG's we ever played.

So why remake a game that is over 15 years old, especially when so many other good FF games (including FFIII(VI), FFVII, FFIX and FFX) have come out?

First of all, FFIV introduced the Active Time Battle system into Final Fantasy games. This has been the standard (for the most part) ever since. Second, the story in FFIV is outstanding, and even surpasses other FF titles that have come out on next gen systems. Third, the game has been given all new voice acting, been retranslated, and made much harder than previous releases of FFII (the US got the "easy" version).

Graphically, this game pushes the limit of the DS. Both the CGI's and the Summon animations are outstanding. Backgrounds have been enhanced and look nothing like the blocky SNES ones.

As for sound, FFII had a great score (again, some would consider it the best of the FF games), and while some found the voice acting terrible, I had absolutely no problem with it and it added to the experience.

For the DS, a new Augment system was added, and pretty much is mandatory to learn and use if you want to beat the two new optional bosses in the game. It definitely adds a new level to strategy (and, you have to play through THREE times to get all the augments and special bosses!). The replay value was significantly increased by these actions.

However, the one thing that may hold FFIV DS back in terms of being perfect is the difficultly level. This is not an easy game. Whether you are a FFIV newbie, or played previous versions, you are in for a shock. Message boards have filled up with people dying in places that would have been considered ridiculously early in previous versions of FFIV. Be forewarned: Level grinding is definitely required in this version. And, I would not have this be the first RPG for someone, let alone they get frustrated and chuck their DS!

Overall, this game is an awesome walk down memory lane for some, and introduces others to just how great RPG's have been in the past.

Definitely pick this product up. For sure one of the top 3 RPG's on the DS, and miles above FFIII DS!

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