Anyone else playing Final Fantasy IV: The After Years on WiiWare?

[Ood Sigma]

I recently found out that there is a sequel to Final Fantasy IV, one of my favorite RPGs of all time. It's being released on WiiWare in parts, and I'm enjoying the heck out of it. It's a lot of fun (if fairly short and linear) and really brings back feelings of nostalgia for the way RPGs used to be. Is anyone else here playing this, and what do you think of it?

 

[The Fatman]

I have Ceodore's story finished and everyone level capped (I think I'm going to be seeing the Challenge dungeon in my sleep for a while, tho... lol)

Rydia's story is wayyy shorter, I finished the "main" quest in only 4 hours. I'm working on her challenge dungeon now but it's a pain in the rear end without a healer in the group. Thankfully her level cap is lower, so I shouldn't be in there as long.

On the whole, it is very nice to see everyone again, but the story feels way too much like a retread of the plot of FF4. I'm hoping with some of the later chapters, something new or really interesting happens.

I also have a problem with the price tag for the game. I mean it's nice that it's modular, so you don't "have" to buy everything, but if you want to get the full experience, you're going to end up paying $37.00USD (3700 Wii Shop Points). To me, this is an outrageous price for what we're getting. That said, I am going to pay it, and I have enjoyed the game so far... so I guess I don't really have any right to bitch here.

 

[Ood Sigma]

I have Ceodore's story finished and everyone level capped (I think I'm going to be seeing the Challenge dungeon in my sleep for a while, tho... lol)

Yeah, I've capped Ceodore and Kain, and Rosa and Cid are like at level 48. The Challenge Dungeon is pretty short, and I got every item at least once. I'll probably go back and level the others when I'm finished with this new set of 3 tales.

Rydia's story is wayyy shorter, I finished the "main" quest in only 4 hours. I'm working on her challenge dungeon now but it's a pain in the rear end without a healer in the group. Thankfully her level cap is lower, so I shouldn't be in there as long.

Yeah, although I really did enjoy her story a lot. You're right, the dungeon sucks, and I go through Hi-Potions like crazy in there. Only finished it once despite both characters being capped.

On the whole, it is very nice to see everyone again, but the story feels way too much like a retread of the plot of FF4. I'm hoping with some of the later chapters, something new or really interesting happens.

I agree, but I don't mind the repeating so much, because of the nostalgia factor. Plus there's enough new content (i.e. that cliff-climbing dungeon) that I'm OK with all the dungeons that are nearly identical to the original.

I also have a problem with the price tag for the game. I mean it's nice that it's modular, so you don't "have" to buy everything, but if you want to get the full experience, you're going to end up paying $37.00USD (3700 Wii Shop Points). To me, this is an outrageous price for what we're getting. That said, I am going to pay it, and I have enjoyed the game so far... so I guess I don't really have any right to bitch here.

Yeah, I suppose the price is kind of high, but since it's spread out over several months, it doesn't seem so bad.

I've finished Yang's tale and am working on his challenge dungeon. Very different from the others. Already have both characters up to 38 so they'll be capped soon. Then on to the other two tales...

 

[CorporalClegg]

I really want to play this. The original is one of my all-time favorite games. I've played every version including WSC. (I'm even in that 1% of people who thing the DS one is the defining version.)

When I saw first saw this I was floored. I admit, I've been one the bigger naysayers of Squeenix and their recent trend of squeals, and I know this is pretty much 100% fan-service, but I don't care!

I've been flip-flopping for a while now on whether to buy a Wii or not, but between this and the upcoming exclusive Tales game, I think I just might have to buy one.

 

[Ood Sigma]

I really want to play this. The original is one of my all-time favorite games. I've played every version including WSC. (I'm even in that 1% of people who thing the DS one is the defining version.)

If the original was one of your favorites, you'll love this. I can see where those who didn't care for the original so much, won't find the sequel all that appealing.

I have the GameBoy Advance version (of the original) as well and thought that was really awesome, especially the final extra dungeon. Don't have a DS so I can't speak to that version.

 

[CorporalClegg]

^
You should get a DS. If you're an JRPG fan, it's really the current-gen system to have.

Plus, a DS Lite is fairly cheap these days: Less than $100 used.

The DSi isn't worth it IMHO. No mp3 support, the camera is of lower quality and no GBA support.

But there are a lot of excellent RPGs for it: The two Final Fantasy remakes (with more likely one the way), the three Dragon Quest remakes (all very excellent) and the up-coming DQIX that looks to be Godly, Suikoden Tierkeis (Not as good as the main series, but still solid.) Final Fantasy Tactics Advance 2, the FFXII sequel (very underrated), a couple of Fire Emblem games, two excellent Tales games (Not released in US, but English fan translations on the way.,) and last but not least the awesome Chrono Trigger port.

 

[Ood Sigma]

^
But there are a lot of excellent RPGs for it: The two Final Fantasy remakes (with more likely one the way), the three Dragon Quest remakes (all very excellent) and the up-coming DQIX that looks to be Godly, Suikoden Tierkeis (Not as good as the main series, but still solid.) Final Fantasy Tactics Advance 2, the FFXII sequel (very underrated), a couple of Fire Emblem games, two excellent Tales games (Not released in US, but English fan translations on the way.,) and last but not least the awesome Chrono Trigger port.

I'd heard that there's a version of FFIII for DS, which I'd love to play, since there doesn't seem to be a version for GBA.

Which Dragon Quest games are being remade? I've played I-IV and VIII... and there's an upcoming IX? Awesome!

How are the Fire Emblem games? I've heard good things.

 

[CorporalClegg]

FFIII is okay. It gets kind of dull and I didn't like many of the changes. I actually preferring playing the NES one via a patched ROM.

So far DQ IV and V have been remade. DQIV came out over a year ago and DQV in March.

DQIV is basically a jazzed up port of the PSOne remake with a few added extras. It's friggen outstanding.

Likewise, DQV is a jazzed up port of the PS2 remake. Obviously, some details in the graphics and sound had to be sacrificed, but there's added story content, an extra dungeon, a new mini-game and a new character. I haven't played it yet. I bought it, but it's still in the shrink-wrap. Just been too busy.

DQIX comes out Christmas time in Japan and sometime next year in the US. A first I was worried because they were going to make it an action RPG, but then decided against it and went traditional.

The game expects to play out similar to DQIII: You make your hero and then go to Luita's bar and pick up allies. The class system looks to be similar as well. There's one new catch, however: You get to choose your characters: appearance!

When you make your PC at start, there are several appearance options to choose from: hair color/style, eye shape and color, body and build type, etc. There are similar options (Class based) for the allies.

Also, the characters actually wear all of the equipment so their appearance changes drastically depending on what armor, shields, weapons and the like they have equipped. To further promote this, the number of items seems to be greatly increased. In one demo I saw the showed the hero equipping shields, but the selection in the inventory seemed to be twice that of even DQVIII.

Furthermore, the "Style" stat seems to have a much greater effect in battle and in the field than it did in past games. For instance, they've actually finally ditched random battles and have gone to on-screen monsters. But if your Hero has a high Style value and you approach one, it'll actually run away scared!

And the Fire Emblem games are only good if you're really into SRPGS. And, unfortunately, the one for DS is a remake of a remake of a remake of the original. And it's kind of watered down. It's still a lot of fun though.