LTTP: Final Fantasy IV DS, holy hell this game is hard (Spoilers)

[pleaseinsertdisctwo]

I'm currently at the 2nd visit to the Tower of Babil, on the Rubicante fight. I'm pretty sure I'm at least a little over leveled for this point in the game, as my Cecil is Level 56. But Rubicante made short work of me. I was sure there's a strategy to make the fight much easier, but when I looked it up I was a little baffled. In order to prevent him from using the attack that causes an insane amount of damage to everyone and heal him, you have to Steal from him when his cape is open. And when his cape is closed you can't attack him with the element that he's weak to. How exactly was I supposed to figure that out on my own, aside from sheer dumb luck from trying random things out of frustration?

Also, while it's not a big deal, the Augment system annoys me. It's really dumb how you can only give it to one party member and you're stuck with that decision.

And I guess this is more of an ADHD issue but the game stopping everything for spells (even the ATB bar when on Active mode) is kind of irritating. Sometimes I get encounters where there's 6 enemies who immediately cast spells and I have to wait for an eternity to start attacking.

THAT said, I really like the game overall. I love the dialogue and voice acting, and the difficulty, as annoying as it can be sometimes, makes the game consistently exciting, the dungeons are fun to traverse, and the soundtrack is great. Story is pretty meh, at least so far (I honestly have no idea how far I really am, seems like the type of game that can seem like you're 80% through on paper but time-wise you're about halfway), largely due to the fact that the character deaths are comical at this point and make the drama seem really forced.

Also the opening movie is one of my favorite opening scenes in a video game. So, so good.

 

[Wagram]

The DS version of IV is so great because of the difficulty imo. Makes it more exciting.

 

[Truly Gargantuan]

Aw man FFIVDS is the game that made me fall in love with IV. The augment system is stupid as hell, I agree, but there are spoiler free guides out there that make sure you don't miss one. Otherwise this game is mwah *chef's kiss*. Ok the random battle rate is a little high too. But I love how hard it is. It really highlights what makes the ATB system so awesome.

 

[Kinsei]

The DS version of IV is so great because of the difficulty imo. Makes it more exciting.

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Agreed. I really wish there was a version of FFIV with the visuals of the PSP version and the difficulty of the DS version.

 

[pleaseinsertdisctwo]

Aw man FFIVDS is the game that made me fall in love with IV. The augment system is stupid as hell, I agree, but there are spoiler free guides out there that make sure you don't miss one. Otherwise this game is mwah *chef's kiss*. Ok the random battle rate is a little high too. But I love how hard it is. It really highlights what makes the ATB system so awesome.

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Oh don't get me wrong, it's exciting, but some of the methods they used to make it difficult is a little annoying. Like I wouldn't have a problem with some bosses having super specific strategies if that didn't mean having to sift through dialogue and animations and fighting a boss before trying again. I'd take this over the game being really easy, though.

 

[Jakenbakin]

I was giving this another go on my phone when I got distracted by other games. I loved the original, I loved the remake graphics, voice acting, etc. but just haven't sunk any time into the DS or Android version...

 

[Ailanthium]

The game is easier on the Steam version, which is overall fairly balanced without being an utter cakewalk. The Augment system is awkward and lends itself to spoiling yourself if you want to make any use of it, but some of the combinations you can use are pretty nifty. Overall it's a great game, definitely one of the earliest examples of a JRPG that's truly epic in scope.

 

[AlexFlame116]

Yuri Lowenthal is a fantastic Cecil.

 

[Syagrius]

How is it's quality and difficulty compared to the SNES version?

 

[Count of Monte Sawed-Off]

How is it's quality and difficulty compared to the SNES version?

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The SNES version is probably the easiest version of the game (the PSP version is also very easy). Also the most dumbed down as well with several characters lacking abilites.

 

[Gotdatmoney]

Augment system is the dumbest shit ever.

But I enjoyed the game otherwise.

 

[Blade24070]

I liked it when I played in 2008, but I haven't replayed nor would I ever replay it again. FF4 PSP is just much more fun to plow through if I wanna experience FF4 again.

 

[Deleted member 4609]

How is it's quality and difficulty compared to the SNES version?

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IV DS is the only good FFIV.

Augments and the difficulty make the game much better.

 

[JCal]

Played it back in 2008, so I don't remember too much about certain areas. Except... the last dungeon. Oh my stars is that shit hard as fuck. I remember death, after death, after death trying to get to the end. Good luck.

How is it's quality and difficulty compared to the SNES version?

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I still lean towards the JP SNES version (Chronicles version). Very much a preference thing, though. I prefer the SNES sound, the sprites, and the normal difficulty. I think the last boss is much harder here, too. Massive level check, whereas the DS version tones it down.

 

[Listai]

I wish they ported it to the PSP, I much prefer the chunky PS1-esque polygonal visuals to the ugly FFIV PSP collection sprites. FFIII looks amazing on my Vita.

 

[Modest Mauser]

IV DS is the only good FFIV.

Augments and the difficulty make the game much better.

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As well as the fixed localization and tasteful additional scenes to flesh out the story and characters.

 

[Quinton]

The best FFIV by far. The added scenes and voice acting are great. I need to secure another copy sometime.

 

[pleaseinsertdisctwo]

Wow I'm actually happy to see a bunch of people stanning the DS version. Usually everyone and their mother says "PSP VERSIONNNNN"

This is the only version of IV I've played, but I'm sure I made the right decision.

(Although admittedly I see myself wanting to play The After Years someday)

 

[KhandoleezzaRice]

I thought it was fine, I prefer the presentation of it but the gameplay isn't good enough to make the more difficult experience enjoyable to me. The story is fine and it's understandable why it doesn't get much attention now but the period this game came out and how it stacks against it's predecessor(s) show that it was quite the jump.

 

[Sumio Mondo]

Pretty sure this was the actual last Final Fantasy game that Hiroyuki Ito worked on as a Designer for and was responsible for the game's difficulty/balance changes. It's also the only mainline FF game outside of XII that I've liked that I've tried (IX is cool as well).

 

[antitrop]

It's the only version of Final Fantasy IV I like, but I don't know if it's because of the difficulty, because I dropped FF3 DS at the final dungeon.

 

[LowParry]

This and the Complete version on PSP are the best versions to play. So good.

 

[Don Fluffles]

Agreed. I really wish there was a version of FFIV with the visuals of the PSP version and the difficulty of the DS version.

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I'd love a similar philosophy for remaking V and VI. But then again, I'd rather go for Bravely Default's look.

 

[Kinsei]

(Although admittedly I see myself wanting to play The After Years someday)

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Don't.

 

[chrisPjelly]

I hope they rerelease the DS games someday. Sucks that the Snes games and the psp(?) versions are probably the only versions that will see the light of day

 

[Don Fluffles]

It's the only version of Final Fantasy IV I like, but I don't know if it's because of the difficulty, because I dropped FF3 DS at the final dungeon.

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FF III DS never went far enough as a remake. The class system was apparently a decent improvement but the pacing, lack of content and dungeon design made me give up on it.

 

[shoemasta]

The one thing that makes it hard to enjoy for me is the art style/graphics it feels at odds with the difficulty and story

 

[aisback]

My favourite FF game.

Is it the same as the PC version?

 

[Strings]

Both the PSP and DS versions of IV are great, and the difficulty of the DS version especially was super refreshing. It's a shame SE stopped doing those remakes, since I loved III's too.

If you finish it and feel like more, if not quite as good, check out Nostalgia on DS next. It's by the same studio who did those, Matrix Software, and is a fun and very good looking game for the system (I swear it looks better in motion):

They also did FF: 4 Heroes of Light with Tokita, which is rad, and basically the birth of the Bravely series (while being better than them):

 

[Mirage]

It's the only version of Final Fantasy IV I like, but I don't know if it's because of the difficulty, because I dropped FF3 DS at the final dungeon.

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I also dropped FF3 at the final dungeon.

 

[antitrop]

I also dropped FF3 at the final dungeon.

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I think a lot of people did, I've heard that a lot.

But yeah, I did finish FFIV DS and enjoyed it.

 

[PrimeBeef]

Wow I'm actually happy to see a bunch of people stanning the DS version. Usually everyone and their mother says "PSP VERSIONNNNN"

This is the only version of IV I've played, but I'm sure I made the right decision.

(Although admittedly I see myself wanting to play The After Years someday)

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I'd rather have the PSP looks with the DS enhancements. Not a fan of the DS visuals.

 

[AzureFlame]

Whoever made that remake should have made V and VI as well.

 

[skeezx]

Whoever made that remake should have made V and VI as well.

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i think that was the plan but they did that heroes of light thing and got sidetracked

 

[Encephalon]

I seem to remember some sort of "blaze" attack killing my whole party in two or three hits, if an enemies randomly decided to use it several times in a row.

 

[GamerJM]

The augment system is silly imo. It's way too much the kind of thing that feels like it's designed to be used with a guide or something, or maybe I'm just not smart enough to figure out how to min-max it well on my own.

SFC/PSP/PAL GBA versions forever.

 

[Dogui]

Couldn't really like FFIV DS at all. Combat got so slow compared to the original, and the bigger script weren't doing the story any favors imo. It just turned an already overdramatic narrative into something even more cheesy.

 

[Don Fluffles]

Couldn't really like FFIV DS at all. Combat got so slow compared to the original, and the bigger script weren't doing the story any favors imo. It just turned an already overdramatic narrative into something even more cheesy.

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Are there any hacks or mods to speed up combat? I know there's also an undub option.

 

[Hieroph]

I'm currently at the 2nd visit to the Tower of Babil, on the Rubicante fight. I'm pretty sure I'm at least a little over leveled for this point in the game, as my Cecil is Level 56. But Rubicante made short work of me. I was sure there's a strategy to make the fight much easier, but when I looked it up I was a little baffled. In order to prevent him from using the attack that causes an insane amount of damage to everyone and heal him, you have to Steal from him when his cape is open. And when his cape is closed you can't attack him with the element that he's weak to. How exactly was I supposed to figure that out on my own, aside from sheer dumb luck from trying random things out of frustration?

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Maybe it's more obvious to everybody who's played the original, but that was telegraphed pretty clearly. The cape is basically Rubicante's main gimmick.

 

[Sgt. Demblant]

I made it to the final boss and never managed to beat that motherfucker.
I liked the voice acting though.

Both the PSP and DS versions of IV are great, and the difficulty of the DS version especially was super refreshing. It's a shame SE stopped doing those remakes, since I loved III's too.

If you finish it and feel like more, if not quite as good, check out Nostalgia on DS next. It's by the same studio who did those, Matrix Software, and is a fun and very good looking game for the system (I swear it looks better in motion):

They also did FF: 4 Heroes of Light with Tokita, which is rad, and basically the birth of the Bravely series (while being better than them):

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Interesting. I love 4 Heroes of Light but I had never heard of Nostalgia. Don't really have a way to play DS games now sadly.

 

[Hikari]

I played it a really long time ago and I remember it being very difficult. Last boss Zeromus especially..... but my brother played it recently and he found an accidental cheese you can use with Kain to completely trivialize Zeromus. It made my blood boil lol. Basically, Kain can completely negate him from using Meteor by spamming jump. All he will do is whirl.

 

[demi]

Same, the Augment and the sharp difficulty spikes turned me off quick. I'd sooner play After Years

 

[Aurongel]

Those extra character-specific dungeons in the GBA version were pretty dope. I remember there being a lot of awesome character moments buried in there, especially one with Kain.

Did the DS version have those as well? The difficulty always kept me away from it.

 

[Deleted member 46493]

Are there any hacks or mods to speed up combat? I know there's also an undub option.

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For IV DS, I thought the ATB at max speed was fast enough. Obviously, 2D is faster but I did not find the DS version slow at all.

IX, now that's slow.

 

[ghibli99]

LOL Yeah, that game beat the crap out of me. Wild going from the Easytype ver. we got in the US on SNES and then going to this. I stopped when I died about a half-dozen times to one of the bosses.

 

[Schopenhauer]

Yep, I remember certain enemies being ridiculously overpowered. Dragons in the final dungeon could pretty much instantly wipe your party if they got initiative and used certain attacks at the start of a battle. Not fun.

Didn't care much for the DS version. Superdeformed and cheap looking 3D has never been an aesthetic I have enjoyed going back to the ps1 era.

 

[Glass Arrows]

IV's alright. The story and characters don't do a lot for me these days but I can give it a little bit of a pass because it was an SNES game and videogame writing was a lot more primitive back then (at least in most console games). The ending theme for IV DS is some fire tho, look forward to it.

Yuri Lowenthal is a fantastic Cecil.

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I didn't really think anything of his performance in IV DS, but he was good in some later games like Dissidia NT (which I haven't played but I watched some of the cutscenes).

 

[julian]

(Although admittedly I see myself wanting to play The After Years someday)

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I understand you're curious, but don't. Just don't.

Thread gives me flashbacks to getting all the tails.....*shudder*

 

[Syril]

IV's alright. The story and characters don't do a lot for me these days but I can give it a little bit of a pass because it was an SNES game and videogame writing was a lot more primitive back then (at least in most console games). The ending theme for IV DS is some fire tho, look forward to it.

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To it's credit it's probably the closest an RPG has come to feeling like a roller coaster ride, so all the plot contrivances and super broad strokes writing don't hurt it as much as they would if it stopped to breathe.

 

[Dogui]

Are there any hacks or mods to speed up combat? I know there's also an undub option.

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afaik there's patch for better fps on pc, not exactly for faster combat.

For IV DS, I thought the ATB at max speed was fast enough. Obviously, 2D is faster but I did not find the DS version slow at all.

IX, now that's slow.

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The problem with FFIX are the long animations. Overall the combat in IX is a lot better paced because dungeons are shorter and encounter rate is not as big.

The original FFIV had battles every 3 steps but you could also flee in 3 seconds (losing some gil in the proccess). The remake have pretty much the same encounter rate, every transition has loadings, there's a short loading between skills being used and you'll need atleast 10 seconds to run. There's a reason why the original FFIV can be normally finished in less than 15 hours, while the DS version will never be as short if you're not speedrunning.

Recent versions of FFIX has turbo mode btw (which is considered too fast, but there's "faster but still manageable" mods)