Chris the Creep reviews the Nintendo DS's latest RPG, the remake of Final Fantasy IV!
Four elemental Crystals, each possessing awesome power, lie scattered throughout the realm. However, men are quick to covet things which offer strength, and easily corrupted by the might which they possess. Seduced by the promised power of the Crystals, the kingdom of Baron begins employing unprovoked force to seize them from peaceful nations.
The dark knight Cecil – Lord Captain of Baron’s elite force, the Red Wings – is ordered by his king to obtain the Crystals, but soon begins to question the monarch's motives. Stricken with grief at his own actions, yet burdened by his loyalty to his country and his personal sense of honor, Cecil at last decides to turn from the path of darkness and destruction.
Enraged, the king accuses him of disloyalty, strips Cecil of his command, and sends him off to slay a mysterious beast that lurks in the nearby Valley of Mist. Cecil embarks on a fateful journey that will bring trials, betrayals, friendship, loss and self-discovery.
Can Cecil open his eyes and become the man of honor that he must be?
Dive into the first RPG to incorporate the innovative Active Time Battle system, now further enhanced and refined for the Nintendo DS. Train and customize Whytkin by playing a variety of mini-games and challenge another player to head-to-head battle via local wireless connection.
Believe it or not, the original game was made 20 years ago and is still regarded as one of the greatest RPGs of all time - now with redone gameplay and graphics for a new era and new generation. If you're looking for a deep, involving story with intense action and customizable characters, Final Fantasy IV is the game for you!
Final Fantasy 4
by Chris the Creep
Final Fantasy IV originally came out as Final Fantasy III on the Super Nintendo System. 18 years ago. Ya, did I mention that this game is old enough to have consensual sex? Ya, it sure is. But it's real evidence to the strength of the storytelling that this tale of a kingdom usurped by a power mad dictator, a man's quest for redemption, sacrifice, and a happy ending, can endure the ages and still hold up today.
The graphics have (thankfully) been completely re-done. Long gone are the pixel-y sprites and now all characters are rendered in great polygonal models. The environments and enemies and attacks are all beautifully brought into the current generation, and still remain loyal to the original designs created 18 years ago.
The gameplay has been overhauled, given a time-sensitive, turn-based system. Now, based on a speed statistic, each character attacks in turn, whenever their time gauge fills up.
Based in the time of swords and magic, each character gets to wield amazing weapons, cast white or black magic, summon giant monsters to fight in your place, or use any number of amazing abilities. It makes the gameplay very dynamic, with each character serving a role in the overall team dynamic.
With the new addition of Augments, characters can be further customized - add the ability to automatically heal yourself, counter enemy attacks, increase the effectiveness of items, and more. It's just one of the new features that brings this classic game into the modern generation.
The music and voice acting are all great - the music is catchy and fun, very suitable to the situation, and very appropriate. Though it's done through the DS's less-than-adequate speakers, it feels though the score was composed on a full orchestra. The voice acting, though a touch wooden at times, is very suitable, and excellently done in cut-scenes that progress the story.
Overall Final Fantasy IV is a very loyal re-make of the original 1991 game. It looses nothing (but some nostalgia), and gains a beautiful new exterior. Think of it as the ugly chick that's fun to be with, but then gets a makeover.
