Final Fantasy IV

 DS
Final Fantasy IV Image
Metascore
85

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

User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 320 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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Final Fantasy IV Advance Official Movie 1

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: 17 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 28
  3. Negative: 4 out of 28
  1. JackH
    Jul 29, 2008
    10
    A fantastic remake that's great for people new to the game and old-schoolers alike! Perfectly tweaked difficulty, and the augment system 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).… Expand
  2. ThomasW
    Feb 8, 2009
    10
    Nostalgic perfection - I cannot have asked for a more faithful and gorgeous reimagining of this landmark game. Definitely a 10!
  4. Dom007
    Mar 5, 2021
    10
    This game is so underrated. The characters and story are fantastic. The music is incredible and the atmosphere of the game is really good. TheThis game is so underrated. The characters and story are fantastic. The music is incredible and the atmosphere of the game is really good. The combat takes some time to get use to but once you master it, the game becomes much easier.… 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. Kekunz255
    Mar 22, 2022
    6
    They changed/added too much from the original. It wasn't what I was looking for in the game. Though I can see why others would enjoy it.
  8. DomMonadoBoi
    May 13, 2021
    0
    I think this might just be the worst game I've ever played. And it's a shame too, I like the characters, music, battle system, and story, forI think this might just be the worst game I've ever played. And it's a shame too, I like the characters, music, battle system, and story, for what it was. But this game was so absolutely sickeningly terrible in terms of dungeon design and difficulty that I dropped it on the final dungeon. I'm shocked at how poorly a game could age, and how terribly the developers did with this, being a literal remake.… Expand

See all 28 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