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You spoony bard!

Beaten: 2006, played a little in 2008
Version played: Gameboy Advance, Nintendo DS

This is probably going to be the thinnest page on this site for a simple reason: I haven't beaten FFIV in almost 20 years.

This is a shame, because FFIV is actually very good! If someone asked me which game in the series to start with, FFIV is one of the titles I'd suggest. It has a fairly straightforward story, sure, but it has enough charm to carry you through the whole game. The characters have actual character, which is not something that can be said for any of the previous titles. There's romance! Betrayal! Death! It's got it all.

I had no opportunity to play it until it came out for the Gameboy Advance, at which point I dove right in. Despite having a guidebook, I made it all the way to the final boss... and got stuck. I couldn't beat the game! I don't remember what the issue was (lack of levels, probably), but I had to start the entire game over from scratch. I did beat it the second time, at least.

I do have the Pixel Remaster for Switch, but I've been playing them in order and I got stuck on FFIII, so I haven't gotten to FFIV yet. Hopefully I can give it a proper replay soon.

Favorite character

Probably Kain. I've always loved the dragoons of the series, and Kain is a particular standout. Sure, he spends half the game working against you, but everyone makes mistakes.

I also remember being very fond of Fusoya, for no reason other than that he has the coolest character design. Rydia is also a standout.

Favorite music

This not being a FF I've revisited often, I don't come back to the soundtrack with any regularity. That said, here are some favorite tracks:

Favorite location

This is a spoiler, but I have to go with the moon! At no point did I think that was where the game was going to go, and it was so weird and alien. It was fantastic.

Also Mount Ordeals, which wins on account of being one of the few parts of the story I clearly remember.

Gameplay thoughts

Can I cheat and talk about all of the FFIV-inspired battles in FFXIV instead? No? Okay, fine.

Yeah, I really don't remember the gameplay well. I do know that it's a game with set characters and skills, the first instance of the ATB system, and one of the few games with a five-person party. I remember using Kain and watching him just plain disappear for ages. I remember Rydia's summons.

Past that, there's not a whole lot that sticks in my memory! I'll come back to this after I replay the game.

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