Uploaded September 2024 | Updated September 2026, 5 days ago
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Timestamps:
00:00 Start
0:10 General Overview and Thoughts
0:30 Story & Presentation
1:26 Battle System, Dungeons, Enemies & Bosses
2:12 Graphics & Music
2:45 Summary and Conclusion
Arriving briefly after the SNES launch, Final Fantasy IV is the culmination of Square's hard-won lessons on the Famicom. Shedding the antiquated feel of I, half-hazard experimentation of II, and occasional excesses of III, FFIV delivers a fast-paced adventure that remains a blast decades later. Some may find it shallow and linear, however the experience can alternately be viewed as streamlined and well-directed. High compliments for an RPG from the early 90s.
Subsequently continued throughout the series, IV introduces moral conundrums of greater nuance than a simple good vs. evil quest. In this matured narrative, you're no mere inconspicuous weakling, suddenly swept away by fate, but an established, elite captain of the Baron empire. Unaware that the king was possessed by a malevolent outside force, the protagonist Cecil begins questioning his increasingly heinous missions and braves the consequences of breaking off his allegiance. Besides an empire manipulated from another world, you'll be dealing with numerous losses, betrayals and identity shattering revelations. The journey speeds along through swiftly changing locations and frequent additions and departures to your five member roster. Presented with immense gravitas and impressive character development, the cutscenes now overflow with the series' trademark grandiosity.
FFIV's biggest gameplay innovation is the active time battle system. While fights remain menu based, everyone runs on their own clock rather than taking turns. You must be quick to decide your moves, as the monsters across the screen are on the attack. The ATB system is of such consequence that adjusting the settings can make the difference between the final boss being near impossible or fairly easy. Dungeon layouts are even more convincingly designed and novel, such as a magnetized cave that renders metallic equipment useless. Adopting sci-fi and modern horror elements, enemies generally exhibit more style and creativity than the wildlife and monsters of past games. Many bosses are even likeable despite their malintent.
Redoing the gaudy color palate and primitive environmental tiling of the original 1991 version, the graphics are far more pleasant, resembling a late generation 16-bit title. Widely encompassing and unforgettable, the original soundtrack is still so integral to the experience that I had little desire to sample the arranged version. First heard as Cecil and Kain reluctantly embark on an extermination mission, the world theme impressively maintains a tension between overbearing loneliness and the slightest glimmer of optimism.
FFIV is where the series really started to build momentum, though today it seldom tops the short list of the very best of the genre, at times even receiving pushback for its simplicity and somewhat exhausted high-fantasy setting. It's biggest flaw is the lack of significant sub-mechanics and zero job customization. While that makes IV a good starting point for beginners, experienced RPG fans will have to rely on its timeless music and emotional pull, or choose the 3D Remake which introduced the highly malleable augment system. Whether you consider FFIV an enduring classic or rather outdated, the series would continue to shine even brighter throughout the 90s and beyond.
Visit youtube.com/@83Chrisaaron and chrislovesjapan.com for more content.
Timestamps:
00:00 Start
0:10 General Overview and Thoughts
0:30 Story & Presentation
1:26 Battle System, Dungeons, Enemies & Bosses
2:12 Graphics & Music
2:45 Summary and Conclusion
Arriving briefly after the SNES launch, Final Fantasy IV is the culmination of Square's hard-won lessons on the Famicom. Shedding the antiquated feel of I, half-hazard experimentation of II, and occasional excesses of III, FFIV delivers a fast-paced adventure that remains a blast decades later. Some may find it shallow and linear, however the experience can alternately be viewed as streamlined and well-directed. High compliments for an RPG from the early 90s.
Subsequently continued throughout the series, IV introduces moral conundrums of greater nuance than a simple good vs. evil quest. In this matured narrative, you're no mere inconspicuous weakling, suddenly swept away by fate, but an established, elite captain of the Baron empire. Unaware that the king was possessed by a malevolent outside force, the protagonist Cecil begins questioning his increasingly heinous missions and braves the consequences of breaking off his allegiance. Besides an empire manipulated from another world, you'll be dealing with numerous losses, betrayals and identity shattering revelations. The journey speeds along through swiftly changing locations and frequent additions and departures to your five member roster. Presented with immense gravitas and impressive character development, the cutscenes now overflow with the series' trademark grandiosity.
FFIV's biggest gameplay innovation is the active time battle system. While fights remain menu based, everyone runs on their own clock rather than taking turns. You must be quick to decide your moves, as the monsters across the screen are on the attack. The ATB system is of such consequence that adjusting the settings can make the difference between the final boss being near impossible or fairly easy. Dungeon layouts are even more convincingly designed and novel, such as a magnetized cave that renders metallic equipment useless. Adopting sci-fi and modern horror elements, enemies generally exhibit more style and creativity than the wildlife and monsters of past games. Many bosses are even likeable despite their malintent.
Redoing the gaudy color palate and primitive environmental tiling of the original 1991 version, the graphics are far more pleasant, resembling a late generation 16-bit title. Widely encompassing and unforgettable, the original soundtrack is still so integral to the experience that I had little desire to sample the arranged version. First heard as Cecil and Kain reluctantly embark on an extermination mission, the world theme impressively maintains a tension between overbearing loneliness and the slightest glimmer of optimism.
FFIV is where the series really started to build momentum, though today it seldom tops the short list of the very best of the genre, at times even receiving pushback for its simplicity and somewhat exhausted high-fantasy setting. It's biggest flaw is the lack of significant sub-mechanics and zero job customization. While that makes IV a good starting point for beginners, experienced RPG fans will have to rely on its timeless music and emotional pull, or choose the 3D Remake which introduced the highly malleable augment system. Whether you consider FFIV an enduring classic or rather outdated, the series would continue to shine even brighter throughout the 90s and beyond.
