FINAL FANTASY IV

After playing Final Fantasy XIV for “a couple” hours now, I figured that it would be a good idea to see where everything started, and thanks to these lovely Pixel Remasters of the first few Final Fantasy games, it is easier than ever to do.
Overview
As all the other classic Final Fantasy games, FF IV is a turned based jrpg with a huge open world and not too much guidance. Since it’s a rpg from the “old days” it expects you to talk to NPC’s to find out where to go and to explore its world. Which has its charm but can certainly be challenging if you haven’t played a game like this before.
(But in case you get lost, there are guides, so don’t let this discourage you from enjoying this great game.)
Story
Once again it falls to you and your party to save the world from evil and corruption. Someone is collecting all the powerful crystals for an unknown goal, all you know is that you have to put an end to the killing and fighting and stop whatever doom looms in the distance.
While, like always, I don’t want to say too much to the story, FF IV is so far my favorite. If you are like me a FFXIV players, lets say you will meet enemies from the post Endwalker content.
Gameplay
After a brief intro and learning the very basics of the combat system, the world is yours to explore within certain limitations. Monsters don’t scale with your level (thankfully) so I can happen that you run into monsters which you aren’t ready for yet.
Like in most classic Role-Playing-Games you level up through combat, find new gear, new key items through quests, and unlock new skills and meet new party members along the way. One of the benefits of this system is, that if you hit a little wall, you can always just go and grind monsters for an extra level or two and overcome the wall. You never really get stuck. I still recommend saving often and to do so on more than one save file, just to be sure.
Final Fantasy IV introduces some new elements to the combat, of which I’m a huge fan of. Each party member has an energy bar which slowly fills and only then you can do an action, in this way the fights feel like a mix of round-based combat, mixed in with some light element of real time combat. This system works really well and made the fights much more enjoyable to me personally.
Another difference is that, beside summons, your party members learn new abilities by leveling up and you cannot choose your party members like in previous games.
Your setup changes depending on your story progress and characters you meet. While this at first sounds like a downgrade, it is well balanced and worked well for me in every combat encounter.
Features
-A huge open world
-Lots and lots of enemy variety
-Tons of different spells, gear and weapons
-Lots of dungeons with different themes and creative challenges
-Boss Battles of which most offer their unique challenges and twists
-Modern, optional, comfort features, like quick saving at any point and more
Graphic/Audio/Tech
For the Tech, I had zero issues, no stutters no crashes, the game is perfectly optimized for modern PC’s
On the graphic side, if you enjoy pixel art, this game looks fantastic. The world is full of wonders, and the sprite art is great. Enemies, Combat backdrops, and dungeons in general offer so much variety in their optic. The spells especially look fantastic when used, and you won’t grow bored of looking at them.
The soundtrack of Final Fantasy III is still a feast for your ears, it’s really amazing how much they managed to do with the tools they had back in the day.
Final Thoughts
If you like older jrpgs or are a fan of the Final Fantasy franchise and haven’t played this game yet, I can only recommend it. The world is huge and offers a lot of variety, the combat system is a lot of fun and it’s all packed into a good story that keeps you hooked from start to finish.
It maybe takes a while to get the hang on it, but it is absolutely worth doing so.
And if you are a Final Fantasy XIV player like me, you will discover so many places, and meet npcs and enemies which also exist in FFXIV, it will put some smiles on your face and provide a lot of “ahhhh” moments.

On my journey to 100% all Final Fantasy games. I, II, III & IV done! This game is a masterpiece. The original games have been amazing to play through for the first time. On to V!

This was my first time playing FFIV and I just gotta say that I finally understand why people like IV so much.
This game almost had me in tears by the end of the game, like I started to get chocked up a little bit. I've been playing through each Final Fantasy game including a few spin offs and I have to say that out of the first 4 games, IV has to have the best story bar none. I really appreciated 2's story even though the gameplay was rough around the edges but 4 seems to take that to a new level. Every character had a unique and vibrant personality that they were able to display on screen almost perfectly despite the limitations of the time.
4 changes back to be closer to how 2 was where you have a set party and you don't really get the option to change jobs/classes like you could in 3. With that being said you get to see a whole cast of characters (that are relevant to the plot) join and leave your party as you progress through the game. So you get to have multiple ways to play the game up until the very end of the story, which is a nice feature.
4 also comes with a brand new battle system referred to as "Active Time Battle" or ATB, a form of turn based combat, albeit different from the first 3 games. The system works like a guage that fills up for your characters and when its full they can make an action, ie: its their turn. This is unique in the fact that the enemy has a similar system and will not stop or pause as their guage fills up and they choose their action. They only pause if you are in the middle of choosing an action (selecting a magic spell or item). This lead to an extra layer of strategy to hold off on certain magic or items until an enemy had used their attack. While confusing at first I eventually got the hang of it and I think I prefer this over the turn based combat from 1,2 and 3 but those were still good.
Arguably, I think 4 is a really good starting point if you are looking to play classic final fantasy games, it builds so well upon the first 3 games and offers a unique and fun experience. With the pixel remaster you can also turn on boosts now and power your way through the game easily if you wish to just experience the story.
My only complaint is that 4 appears to have had a lot of remakes/remasters over the years and with these remakes/remasters extra stuff was added that unfortunately the pixel remaster does not have. I know the pixel remasters is supposed to just be a remaster for the original 1991 game but it would be nice to see maybe an optional dlc that adds some of that extra content into this game.
With that being said I highly recommend you play 4 and experience it for yourself.

This is my opinion!

Final Fantasy IV Pixel Remastered is a stunning remake that beautifully preserves the charm of the original while introducing modern enhancements. The graphics are gorgeous, with subtle yet impactful improvements that make the game feel both nostalgic and fresh. The reorchestrated soundtrack by Nobuo Uematsu is a true masterpiece, adding a new layer of emotional depth to the game.

The quality of life updates, such as improved user interfaces and streamlined gameplay mechanics, make this classic JRPG more accessible and enjoyable than ever before without losing the charm of the original. The story, a genre-defining narrative of betrayal, love, and redemption, remains as compelling as ever with its narrative and memorable characters, just as it did when it originally released.

Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the series, Final Fantasy IV Pixel Remastered is a must-play.

Final Fantasy IV: A Timeless Classic with Modern Flaws
Final Fantasy IV, originally released in 1991 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), holds a significant place in gaming history. It's often praised for its innovative storytelling, memorable characters, and impactful set pieces, but also shows its age in certain aspects.
What Works:
Story and Characters: FFIV boasts a compelling narrative that centers around Cecil, a dark knight on a path of redemption. The story is driven by strong character arcs, memorable villains, and emotional moments that resonate even today. The inclusion of a more linear story structure, compared to previous entries, helped shape future RPG storytelling.
Music: Nobuo Uematsu's soundtrack is nothing short of iconic. Many tracks, such as "Battle Theme," "Theme of Love," and "The Airship," are instantly recognizable and remain beloved by fans. The music perfectly complements the game's emotional moments and epic battles.
Set Pieces: FFIV features some truly memorable moments, including the dramatic escape from the collapsing castle, the confrontation with Zeromus, and the emotional farewell to certain characters. These scenes are powerfully directed and leave a lasting impression.
Innovative Mechanics: For its time, FFIV introduced several innovative gameplay mechanics, such as the ability to switch between characters in real-time during battles, adding a layer of strategic depth.
What Could Be Improved:
Graphics: The graphics are understandably dated by modern standards. The pixel art, while charming in its own way, may not appeal to players accustomed to more detailed visuals.
Gameplay: While innovative for its time, the gameplay mechanics feel somewhat simplistic compared to modern RPGs. The battle system, while functional, can become repetitive at times.
Linearity: The game's linear structure, while beneficial for storytelling, may not appeal to players who prefer more open-world exploration and freedom.
Overall:
Final Fantasy IV remains a classic RPG that deserves its place in gaming history. Its compelling story, memorable characters, and iconic soundtrack have cemented its status as a fan favorite. While its graphics and gameplay mechanics show their age, the game's emotional impact and innovative storytelling make it a worthwhile experience for both nostalgic fans and newcomers to the series. It's a must-play for any RPG enthusiast, especially those interested in the history of the genre.

Final Fantasy IV (originally known as Final Fantasy II in North America) was more than just the next entry in Square’s rising RPG franchise—it was the game that defined what a Final Fantasy should be. With its emotionally charged story, cast of memorable characters, and strategic Active Time Battle (ATB) system, FFIV laid the groundwork for decades of JRPGs to come.
At the heart of FFIV is the story of Cecil Harvey, a dark knight of Baron, struggling with guilt over his kingdom’s brutal conquests. His journey of redemption, transformation into a paladin, and growing resistance against a cosmic evil is surprisingly mature and emotionally complex for its time.
While some dialogue can feel dated, the themes—identity, loss, sacrifice—remain powerful. The rotating party members and dramatic character arcs (like Tellah’s tragic vengeance or Kain’s internal struggle) give the story a sense of grandeur that was unprecedented in 16-bit gaming.
FFIV introduced the Active Time Battle system—a blend of real-time and turn-based combat that added tension and urgency to every encounter. It’s simple by today’s standards, but it created a satisfying rhythm to battles that rewards timing as much as strategy.
The game also features fixed character roles—each with unique abilities—which encourages creative team synergy and ensures no two battles feel exactly alike. The learning curve is fair, but some later bosses demand clever use of spells and tactics.
The original SNES pixel art holds nostalgic charm, but FFIV has seen multiple remakes (notably on the DS and mobile) that enhance its visual storytelling. The DS version’s 3D models are a bit dated now, but the expressive animations and improved cutscenes breathe new life into the narrative.
Nobuo Uematsu’s soundtrack is, simply put, iconic. From the melancholic “Theme of Love” to the rousing “Battle with the Four Fiends,” every track is emotionally evocative and perfectly suited to its moment in the story.
Final Fantasy IV is not just a classic—it’s a turning point. It’s the first game in the series where story, music, and gameplay aligned into a cohesive, cinematic experience. It paved the way for titles like Final Fantasy VI and VII, influencing not just Square Enix but the entire RPG genre.
Modern players might find its pacing a bit brisk and its difficulty occasionally punishing (especially in the original version), but the soul of the game remains timeless.
Final Fantasy IV isn’t just a great RPG—it’s a cornerstone of the genre. Whether you're revisiting it on a classic console, playing the 3D remake, or exploring the Pixel Remaster, this is a game that still resonates over three decades later.
For fans of story-driven RPGs, it’s an essential experience. For longtime Final Fantasy players, it’s a beautiful reminder of where the series found its voice.
Rating: 9/10

FFIV is a reasonable next entry into the series. FFIV is probably the most story driven of the FF entries so far (though still don't expect an amazing story). Unlike FFIII, you can no longer swap into and out of classes at will anymore. However, the people in your party come in and out, and there is a lot of variety just because of this. You are constantly getting new members while dropping old ones (aside from the Cecil). I personally liked FFIII a bit more than FFIV as a game due to the freedom to swap around classes, but the story was better in FFIV vs FFIII.

Game aside, getting 100% achievements for FFIV is the grindiest of the entries so far, and there is a specific part that is just incredibly grindy to finish off the 100%.