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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.
Final Fantasy IV
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 51 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 24 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >
Game Info
Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Square Enix
Genre(s): Role-Playing Game
Players: 2
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older)
Release Date: July 22, 2008
Summary
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. [Square Enix]
Also On The Web: Official Website Predict this Metascore
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
GameShark
The game may not make use of all of the strengths of the Nintendo DS but it makes full use of the ones that really matter, bolstering an already impressive game for a new generation of as well as those who look forward to replaying through a classic staple of the role playing genre.
Read Full Review >AceGamez
Final Fantasy IV is just as good as it was seventeen years ago. It still has one of the most memorable RPG stories, excelling with both its aesthetics and value for money. But despite all of this, the thing that makes this the best RPG on DS - and arguably the best game - is the gameplay.
Read Full Review >GamePro
Ultimately, Final Fantasy IV remains the same epic experience it was 17 years ago, and improvements on the DS are a welcome treat for fans of the series and newcomers to the franchise. [Aug 2008, p.80]
Read Full Review >NintendoWorldReport
It was an unparalleled experience in the early 90s and holds up remarkably well today.
Read Full Review >GameTrailers
Reborn, the DS version remains surprisingly faithful while bringing the game into the modern era. The few additional mechanics are somewhat disposable, but the core gameplay remains engaging so many years later.
Read Full Review >GamingTrend
So, if you have played Final Fantasy IV, or if you have never tried it but are familiar with other examples of the genre, you will definitely enjoy Final Fantasy IV for the DS.
Read Full Review >Gaming Nexus
Not only is Final Fantasy one of the best looking games on the Nintendo DS, but it also features the best story and characters.
Read Full Review >GamerNode
FFIV DS is a winner. Not only is it the defining iteration of FFIV, it's one of the greatest remakes ever produced and deserves a permanent spot in every DS owner's collection.
Read Full Review >Armchair Empire
Final Fantasy IV is not just a re-release of something that has been done a thousand times before, it is worthy of being called a remake as they added a lot of new stuff to the game as well as did a serious touch-up of many of the games aspects.
Read Full Review >Official Nintendo Magazine UK
A must-play for Final Fantasy veterans. It won't gain any new fans though. [Oct 2008, p.80]
N-Europe
Final Fantasy IV DS is a solid RPG which has survived the test of time, the first incarnation being released in more than 15 years ago.
Read Full Review >Thunderbolt
Ultimately, Final Fantasy IV successfully proves that remakes can be an honest business.
Read Full Review >Nintendo Life
A very challenging RPG that'll appeal to all fans of the genre: the graphics are superb, the soundtrack is great, and the gameplay is top-notch. When everything is said and done, this is a must-have RPG.
Read Full Review >3DJuegos
Light defeats darkness in Final Fantasy IV, an RPG game coming back to present in a new 3D visual way. It has the same epic story as ever but adds unknown intro scenes and an improved musical score to the challenging gameplay. If you are a Final Fantasy fan, then don't doubt. FFIV is an impressive adventure for the Nintendo DS hardcore gamer.
Read Full Review >Pocket Gamer UK
But lying at the heart is the same solid gameplay that was popular in the nineties - unforgiving at times, but a shining example of what makes the series great.
Read Full Review >Nintendo Power
The developers have done everything they needed to do to win over a new generation of Final Fantasy IV fans, but they've done disappointingly little to appeal to the existing ones. [Aug 2008, p.86]
GameSpot
The epic story of love, betrayal, and redemption is reborn better than ever in glorious 3D.
Read Full Review >GameSpy
Along with the characters, the settings have been heavily reworked too. Players move in beautiful 3D environments displayed on the top screen, with the bottom screen being mainly used for the overworld map and for smaller maps such as dungeons, mountains and castles.
Read Full Review >Gamer 2.0
Final Fantasy IV is a game that has aged remarkably well over the years, and this update has undoubtedly given the game new life.
Read Full Review >GameZone
Without a doubt one of the best portable remakes of a console classic, Final Fantasy IV for the Nintendo DS is a remarkable and downright satisfying game that does justice to the original and RPGs.
Read Full Review >Gamers' Temple
Its an important piece of gaming history, it's better than nearly every other DS RPG (Pokemon and Rocket Slime excluded) and its truly the only version of IV that's worth owning at this point.
Read Full Review >Console Gameworld
The definitive version of FFIV….but just barely. Beautiful and containing a hardcore challenge, but other than the cosmetic changes there’s not much new here. If you’ve never played Final Fantasy IV before, now is the time.
Read Full Review >IGN
For newcomers, you’re about to get a lesson in “hardcore gaming 101,” but if you put in the time, and put up with the difficulty, you’ll have a chance to really “get” what Final Fantasy is all about.
Read Full Review >Cheat Code Central
A real gem of an RPG. The new DS version is definitely the best way to enjoy the title and should provide fans with hours of fun.
Read Full Review >Game Informer
This enhanced remake of Final Fantasy IV does a remarkable job of blending 3D visuals with classic gameplay; it's familiar, yet still drives you to keep playing. [Aug 2008, p.91]
Read Full Review >Worth Playing
The updated graphics and visual flair may make it more appealing to new gamers, but it retains enough of the old game to warm SNES gamers' nostalgic hearts.
Read Full Review >Jolt Online Gaming UK
A well crafted remake of a well-loved game. Nostalgics, completists and other Final Fantasy fans can buy with confidence, but newcomers are better off looking elsewhere to begin with.
Read Full Review >NZGamer
The game is a success thanks to what has remained unchanged. Though we're now 3D and have some wonderful cinematics, this is still the Final Fantasy IV you fell for in 1991. And for those who have yet to fall for the classic, this is a good place to start.
Read Full Review >Games Master UK
The best Final Fantasy is either VI or VII - but IV really isn't far behind either. [Oct 2008, p.72]
PTGamers
Final Fantasy IV proves that it's possible to improve on a classic through minor but meaningful changes.
Read Full Review >D+PAD Magazine
The 3D makeover does a solid job and there are enough effects and functional animations that nod to the title’s origins, balanced by an elegant presentation and a superb score.
Read Full Review >n-Revolution Magazine UK
An epic, story-driven RPG both old and new that will delight fans of the series as well as newcomers to the genre.
Gameplanet
Love it or shove it, Final Fantasy IV on the DS is a challenging, RPG classic which still offers plenty of bang for your gaming buck. While it is essentially the same old book with an updated (3D) cover, fans both new and old will delight in the extreme makeover.
Read Full Review >Modojo
Regardless of your experience with the Final Fantasy series, Final Fantasy IV for the Nintendo DS should not be missed.
Read Full Review >Eurogamer
It's not the best Final fantasy game in the series - even with the new additions to what was already a strong classic JRPG, the inescapable confines of the structure make this literally a lesser game than many of the subsequent releases - but it's a respectful and assured update and that freshens an aged experience for a modern audience.
Read Full Review >LEVEL (Czech Republic)
Final Fantasy finally comes to the Nintendo handheld. Those who are not afraid of slightly higher difficulty will be rewarded by one of the best RPGs for NDS. Praise the creators who decided to reduce the random fights – finally you can enjoy a visually splendid game without an annoying amount of fights. [Sept 2008]
Nintendojo
FFIV has always been a solid game and will always remain that way, but some games don’t hold up as well as others over the years and, for most of us, nostalgia can only take you so far.
Read Full Review >G4 TV
The game encourages and, more importantly reduces, the tedium of grinding by rewarding exploration – an act that, for most of us, is a reward in and of itself.
Read Full Review >Game Positive
In the end, Final Fantasy IV DS is the best version of the game available.
Read Full Review >Game Revolution
While FFIV has a geriatric story and presentation - the 3D graphics and enhanced soundtrack are impressive for the DS but they still look old - its challenging battles and nerve-wracking bosses make up for it.
Read Full Review >Gaming Age
The lack of actual innovation is what keeps it from being a stellar title, but it's a game that most RPG's enthusiasts will want to add to their DS library.
Read Full Review >1UP
An upgraded version of a 16-bit masterpiece -- but it's needlessly redundant for anyone who picked up "FFIV Advance."
Read Full Review >Play.tm
So, on one hand you've got a splendidly jazzed up version of one of the most defining Japanese RPG's ever created, and it's a good forty hours to boot. On the other you've still just got Final Fantasy IV.
Read Full Review >RPG Fan
If you are a big fan, then I can't see you being disappointed with the game unless you really hate the graphical style or the voices.
Read Full Review >Gamervision
Fans of the original game owe it to themselves to pick up this extremely challenging remake, if only to test their skills.
Read Full Review >Edge Magazine
The attention that’s gone into the update extends much further than a mere 3D overhaul and this update feels like a labour of love, even if its conception was merely for profit. [Sept 2008, p.96]
PALGN
Square Enix spoons the fanatical bards with its nth-dipped reiteration of the fourth Final Fantasy.
Read Full Review >games(TM)
We can’t remember the last time a standard RPG boss needed such an unforgivingly focused strategy. [Dec 2008, p.109]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 7.2 (out of 10) based on 24 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Jack H gave it a7:
Great game. Much better than the awful Final Fantasy III iteration that had absolutely NO redeemable qualities (basic good vs. evil plot with NO character development). I digress, this game has what makes an rpg great...but my one big nag (CON) is the battle speed. GRUELINGLY slooooowww. Even with battle speed set to max it still takes forever to do anything. seriously, was near 20 seconds of waiting b/w attack turns. To make matters worse still...an enemy had cast SLOW on me...i already felt as though i had omega slow cast on me without any enemy help :P. but when slow is cast on you it's 2x worse (>_<). This is the only thing that hinders this game imo. but it is so annoying that it hurts it by 3 points...sorry but i don't have all day to wait to fight mobs in an rpg.
M C gave it a10:
A fantastic remake that's great for people new to the game and old-schoolers alike! Perfectly tweaked difficulty, and the augment system surprised me with its enjoyable diversity. It's fun to see all the cut scenes more fleshed out, the dialogue is much more well-written throughout, and there are a couple significant additions to the story (one part, in particular).
Troy P. gave it a10:
This is the greatest RPG of all time. Amazing story, great characters, and challenging gameplay.
