Final Fantasy IV

 DS
Final Fantasy IV Image
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 52 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 271 Ratings

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  • 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 employingFour 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]… Expand
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  • Developer: Matrix Software
  • Genre(s): Role-Playing, Console-style RPG, Console-style RPG, Japanese-Style
  • # of players: No Online Multiplayer
  • Cheats: On GameFAQs
  • Rating: E10+
  • More Details and Credits »

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 47 out of 52
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 52
  3. Negative: 0 out of 52
  1. GameShark
    100
    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.
  2. GamingTrend
    91
    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.
  3. Gamer 2.0
    90
    Final Fantasy IV is a game that has aged remarkably well over the years, and this update has undoubtedly given the game new life.
  4. IGN
    87
    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.
  5. Jolt Online Gaming UK
    85
    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.
  6. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    80
    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]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. games(TM)
    70
    We can’t remember the last time a standard RPG boss needed such an unforgivingly focused strategy. [Dec 2008, p.109]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 52 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 24
  3. Negative: 3 out of 24
  1. TroyP.
    Jul 28, 2008
    10
    This is the greatest RPG of all time. Amazing story, great characters, and challenging gameplay.
  2. AnonymousMC
    Dec 24, 2008
    10
    I love Final Fantasy 4 DS! Whenever I have nothing to do, I always play it. It's enough to warm gamer's hearts from the 1991 SNES Version.
  4. 6xdandangp
    Dec 29, 2012
    10
    Not the best RPG on the Nintendo DS, but Final Fantasy IV is an incredible experience that withstands the test of time. Excellent story andNot the best RPG on the Nintendo DS, but Final Fantasy IV is an incredible experience that withstands the test of time. Excellent story and characters, decent gameplay, great graphics, and amazing soundtrack.… Expand
  5. porcodidio
    Dec 26, 2015
    8
    there is a strong nostalgia factor for me, no doubt about that.
    Story is good (nothing exceptional), it is challenging and complex game to a    there is a strong nostalgia factor for me, no doubt about that.
    Story is good (nothing exceptional), it is challenging and complex game to a point that fine tuning your party could bring give an huge amount of hours. Replay value is great. The augment addition is awesome.

    3d was one of the points of this game, so it obviously aged quickly, and pretty badly.

    I took 2 points off for 2 reasons:
    - lazy ds port. When a game uses the touchscreen only to display maps and info, you know that's a lazy port.
    - while the sound effects are good, the music is pretty disappointing. Only 1, maybe 2 tunes worth remembering and they play over and over. Was it really that hard to give us a couple dungeon music more?
    Ended up muting the game after 15 hours (played 35, 1 playthrough). Disappoint effort from Mr Uematsu.
    I still recommend this game anyway.    … Expand
  6. Sephiroth_X
    Oct 25, 2014
    7
    The 7 goes for the DS version and thats being generous, i dont need one of my fav rpgs of all time getting ruined by ugly blocky dated 3DThe 7 goes for the DS version and thats being generous, i dont need one of my fav rpgs of all time getting ruined by ugly blocky dated 3D polygons. Get the psp version instead, i own both, and while i prefer the 2d psp one, the DS has some merits for the hardcore fans who wanna play several combinations of their beloved game. This one has voices and some cinematic sequences that aren't needed to enjoy the beautiful tale that ff4 delivers.… Expand
  7. MikeG
    Dec 2, 2009
    6
    It's kind of hard for me to get excited about a game that was released just a few years ago on GBA. Sure it looks nice, but that really It's kind of hard for me to get excited about a game that was released just a few years ago on GBA. Sure it looks nice, but that really doesn't justify it.… Expand
  8. Mirrored-G
    Apr 29, 2017
    0
    They should call this game Final Fantasy HIV, because the more I played it, the more I felt my immune system eroding away. The difficulty inThey should call this game Final Fantasy HIV, because the more I played it, the more I felt my immune system eroding away. The difficulty in this game is faker than Donald Trump's hair.… Expand

See all 24 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Best DS Game of 2008
10
#10 Most Discussed DS Game of 2008
6
#6 Most Shared DS Game of 2008