Ben-DutkaBelieve it or not, there was a time when Square-Enix (or Squaresoft, as they were known at the time) was on top of the role-playing world. It’s difficult to pick a starting point for the company’s well-respected and perhaps legendary reign, but perhaps it began after the release of the original Final Fantasy . Maybe Squaresoft only started to gain real momentum with later installments in the Super Nintendo/Super Famicom era. But regardless of your analysis, it goes without saying that Final Fantasy IV is a classic that deserves your nostalgic attention. That’s why you might want to pick up the Complete Collection for the PSP this month; it includes both the original game and the WiiWare pseudo-sequel, Final Fantasy IV: The After Years .
The latter continued the story of FFIV, focusing on the son of Cecil and Rosa, Ceodore. If you never got a chance to play this game on the Wii (or as a mobile production, released only in Japan), you can check out an all-new story and classic, old-school gameplay. To refresh your memory, you can always start with the original title, which is a remake of the Super Famicom version; it’s the Japanese version, though, so the difficulty will be higher. Once finished, leap 17 years ahead to “The Interlude,” a special section of 10-12 hours for this PSP collection that bridges the gap between FFIV and The After Years . This portion of the story begins in Damcyan, where Edward has rebuilt the castle and the world is in a state of general celebration.
Obviously, the situation downgrades to the point where another hero is required in the follow-up plot. In terms of overhauled graphics, we’ll get spruced-up visuals for all three of the storylines in question; character and enemy designs have been upgraded, and the PSP should be able to give the colorful FFIV palette a certain sheen. Another cool feature involves the sound: you can either stick with the original SNES soundtrack, or you can switch to the enhanced version that came with the Nintendo DS remake. Although this isn’t quite the same thing as choosing between English and Japanese voices, it’s still nice to have, and helps to solidify this as a “complete” collection. As for the gameplay, nothing has changed so you don’t have to worry about your favorite turn-based style giving way to brainless hack ‘n slash.
If you’ve been bewailing the loss of traditional RPG fare and consider FFIV to be one of your favorite games, this is a must-have. If you only dabbled in the FF series prior to the PlayStation era and never got a chance to play some of these sprite-filled gems, perhaps now is the time to sample the old-fashioned goodness. The game boasts some memorable characters, a great story, and the addition of The After Years is a clear-cut bonus for anybody, long-time fan or new initiate. Final Fantasy IV: Complete Collection arrives for Sony’s portable on April 19, so if you’ve got a trip coming up or you’ve been looking to give your PSP more love, this should be a solid option. Hey, did anyone else forget what The Magus Sisters looked like in those days…?
So many good memories with FFIV, but why can't they just make games like that with today's production values?
Because others already are. Enix make action games now.
Makes me wish I hadn't traded my PSP 2 months ago in anticipation of the NGP.
Well, now that we have Final Fantasy IV coming out, and FF V in the works for PSN, I'm looking forward to FF VI getting the spruced up treatment, but most importantly, Final Fantasy VII remake for the PS3!!!!
If Square love playing the nostalgia card, why are they not giving their fans the one game they most want? Stop working on FF XIV Online and instead get your staff to focus on FF VII, Advent Children style!!
But we all know it won't happen. Even with character models all drawn up with Advent Children, the first train station cutscene already done, the script and story already complete, environment artwork already there, AND the battle system already in place, IT'S STILL too much work for the people at Square-Enix!!! How?!?! It's a remake!! Not an entirely new game!!! FF XV will likely take longer to make on the PS4, and more people want FF VII on PS3!!!
Sorry, getting myself worked up. The thought processes behind Square-Enix just boggle my mind. If people are THIS patient for Starcraft 2 or Diablo III, people will be patient for the FF VII remake. All we want is confirmation Square, confirmation is all we need.
E3 is coming. You better not disappoint, Square-Enix!!
If you haven't experienced this game yet, do yourself a favor and play it. First RPG for me.
Sure do, Ben. Killing the middle sister first was always the strategy.
Gotta play 'em all.
I'll get to this for sho'
But I'll be hitting FFIII on iPhone once I get done with Suikoden, Vagrant Story, and Xenogears… dang, thats a lot of RPG love'n to be had…
I was reminded of the Magnus Sisters by those evil sisters in Stephen King's The Tower.
Why does Square over haul the graphics for the DS re-releases but half a$$ the PSP re-releases?
they hate teh sony
Because remastered sprite graphics look better.
Old school FF on UMD? This has an Aussie release right? *checks the PS AU website* No listing?! *checks Wikipedia* Well… The Euro release is April 22.
Guess my PSP is going to get a bit of a workout on my trip… If I manage to take it. Damn car's giving me troubles now. *growl*
Peace.
I have a love/hate relationship with FFIV. The story was great, really loved it. However FFIV had one of those problems that plagued many games back in the day.
The random insta-death monsters. So you're walking along slaying everything in sight with ease. When suddenly you enter battle only to see some random monster who attacks each of your party members and kills them before you can even attack. Hate those monsters.
I hear you, and that's still happening to me in FFXIII. I loved FFV too. ( I'm a sucker for job-system).
yeah a good job system like in ffv not only means more awesome customization, but more time spent in game making your character virtually immortal.
I can't wait for this, I have never played Final Fantasy IV, and while the DS version is impressive, its a bit to cutesy for me. I think games in the 2D era are meant to be played like that so to get such a high rendered version of the 2D game it seems like a great deal let alone without the Sequel and the game with ties them together.
I enjoyed the PSP remakes of FF and FFII and I hear this is meant to be one of the best FF games so i realy have no excuse to miss out on it.
Might have to pick this one up.
Vl (unsurprisingly) is my fave 2D installment.
Have to agree with ya. Final Fantasy VI is the best Final Fantasy. Overshadows FFVII by a long shot.
While I favor FF6 over FF7 as well, I have to disagree. The jump in quality from one generation to the next greatly helps FF7. Additionally, 7's popularity is vastly superior. Plus the story, especially with all the additions, of 7 has been so well rounded now that it's a concrete and excellent story.
Mind you the philosphy of Kafka applied to the character Kefka is incredibly deep. You gotta appreciate that kind of deep thought.
I think the only reason Square hasn't touched FF6 yet is because the awesome epicness it would bring. The world just isn't ready for that kinda thing yet. Soon though, soon.