bit-tech Shopping: Square Enix Final Fantasy IV (GBA)

Rating: 10

Time with product:

Strengths: Excellent storyline, engaging characters, good plot twists, solid FF gameplay throughout

Weaknesses: Traditional RPG mechanics will turn some away at first glance...but it shouldn't...and if you don't like opera, go play pokemon instead, this one has an intricate drama that takes time to get into...

Summary: When I play this game it reminds me of a good 19th century opera. Maybe Wagner, Gluck or Verdi. It is full of the usual "sturm und drang"/storm and stress that you can expect from a good old wailing opera. And it has all of the traditional elements, romantic battles, conflicts between light and dark, good and evil, spoony bards, damsels in distress, jumping dragoons, chocobos. Well, maybe not the chocobos. But really, this game has that type of aura about it; it feels like a legend full of magic and mystery that you have been suddenly transported into and feel compelled to follow to its conclusion. It is a must-play classic in every sense of the word. This game basically single-handedly raised the bar on what you could expect in terms of storyline from an RPG. What we take for granted nowadays from RPG story arcs these days was not a given at the time this game was released, FFIV was kind of the new high-water mark for what was possible. And it still plays great today. Definitely pick this one up if you are at all interested in RPGs or fantasy. A classic, timeless...

Rating: 8

Time with product: 1 Week

Strengths: story, fun gameplay

Weaknesses:

Summary: This game reminds me a lot of Pokemon type games. You travel around the world completing quests and upgrading your characters - increasing skills/hitpoints and learning new spells. You play looking down on your character as he travels the world and you will have random encounters with monsters. The battles aren't really turned based though. Each character has length of time between attacks, it can be quick and you'll be able to attack multiple times for each enemies attack, or you may have a slower attack rate and therefore have to wait longer between attacks.The story line is very entertaining and engaging.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 3 Months

Strengths: no lags, portable

Weaknesses: none

Summary: This was my first rpg I have ever completed for the SNES, and I was immediately hooked. Since I no longer own the snes or the catridge, having the game available for gameboy was a godsend! The game is just as I remembered it. The game plays smoothly with no lag at all due to cartrige format. Will bring you hours upon hours of gameplay! Excellent purchase, worth every penny!

Rating: 8

Time with product:

Strengths: Near perfect port (with improvements) of the original classic

Weaknesses: N/A

Summary: Final Fantasy IV is a port of the Japanese Super Famicom (Super NES) Final Fantasy IV game. It is a near-perfect port with some subtle improvements. It is an old-school RPG that may seem a little basic to people who have only played the most recent Final Fantasy games. Nonetheless it is a true classic and holds up better than the Final Fantasy I/II GBA compilation. It is a must-play for any Final Fantasy fan. The major additions in this version are 2 bonus dungeons and some new character abilities.

Rating: 10

Time with product:

Strengths: Fast moving and entertaining plot, bonus content.

Weaknesses: Some gameplay glitches.

Summary: Final Fantasy IV Advance is a solid port of a classic, with a terrific new localization as well as some very worthwhile new content. While a few strange glitches plague battles, the adventure is always entertaining (if melodramatic). Overall, this is yet another worthwhile remake of a classic RPG from Square Enix.