Final Fantasy IV (Nintendo DS)

Infobox VG
title = Final Fantasy IV


caption = North American boxart
developer = Square Enix
Matrix Software
publisher = Square Enix
designer = Takashi Tokita
Hiroyuki Itō
artist = Yoshitaka Amano
composer = Nobuo Uematsu
released = vgrelease|JP=December 20, 2007cite web |url=http://gonintendo.com/?p=25261 | title=New Final Fantasy IV scans, release date revealed |accessdate=2007-09-18 |author=RMC |date=2007-09-18 | publisher=Go Nintendo] |NA=July 22, 2008cite web |url=http://na.square-enix.com/ff4/ |title=FFIV Official Website | accessdate=2008-07-21] |AUS=September 4, 2008cite web | url=http://games.nintendo.com.au/title.php?id=1767| title=Final Fantasy IV | accessdate=2008-08-28 | publisher=Nintendo Australia| date=2008-08-20]
EU=September 5, 2008cite web |url=http://www.play.com/Games/DS/4-/5800699/Final-Fantasy-IV/Product.html|title=Final Fantasy IV — Nintendo DS|accessdate=2008-06-09]
series = "Final Fantasy" series
engine = Modified "Final Fantasy III" engineFact|date=May 2008
genre = Console role-playing
modes = Single-player, multiplayer
ratings = vgratings|CERO=A|ESRB=E10+
platforms = Nintendo DS
media =Nintendo DS Game Cardnihongo|"Final Fantasy IV"|ファイナルファンタジーIV|Fainaru Fantajī Fō is an enhanced remake of the original "Final Fantasy IV", which was released in 1991. It was released for the Nintendo DS as part of the campaign for "Final Fantasy" series 20th anniversary on December 20, 2007 in Japan and in North America on July 22, 2008. The game was released in Europe on September 5, 2008.

The game was developed by Matrix Software, the same team responsible for the "Final Fantasy III" remake, and was supervised by members of the original development team: Takashi Tokita served as executive producer and director, Tomoya Asano as producer and Hiroyuki Itō as battle designer. Animator Yoshinori Kanada story boarded the new cut scenes.cite web |url=http://www.playfuls.com/news_10354_Dissidia_Final_Fantasy_On_PSP_And_FF4_DS_Remake_Revealed.html |title=Dissidia: Final Fantasy On PSP And FF4 DS Remake Revealed |accessdate=2007-05-10 |author=Stokky |date=2007-05-09 | publisher=Playsful.com]

Gameplay

"Final Fantasy IV" retains the original Active Time Battle System from the initial Super Nintendo release. Similar to the previous remake of Final Fantasy III on the Nintendo DS, the control of stylus is limited and optional in order to retain the same control input while allowing other players to use the Nintendo DS's unique touch control scheme.

However, the remake features a new ability system known as the Augment System, or the nihongo|Decant Ability System|デカントアビリティシステム|Dekanto Abiriti Shisutemu in the Japanese version. The system allows for certain character-only abilities to be transferred to other characters who did not have them in the original and previous releases of "Final Fantasy IV". Up to three abilities can come from temporary party members. When leaving the party, temporary characters will yield abilities of their own, the number of which is dependent on how many abilities they were given. There are also other abilities; some scattered around the world, and some that become available after certain story events.

This new system entails another new feature: command menu customization. All commands in a character's battle menu except the Items command can be replaced with augments. This includes individual abilities that are ordinarily contained in a group (e.g. Curaga can be added directly to Rosa's command list, rather than only being accessible through the White Magic sub-list).

The Augment System was devised to replace the system in Final Fantasy IV Advance where the characters that were temporary in the original version became playable again at a certain point. The developers felt that this system changed the game too much. [Cite web | url=http://ff4developers.cocolog-nifty.com/column/2007/10/post_588d.html | title=Official Blog: Character Abilities | date=2007-10-05 | accessdate=2007-10-05 | publisher=Square Enix]

Other exclusive enhancements to the DS version of the game include:

*Minigames: Unlike the main game, the minigames are stylus-control only. Their function, aside from being fun diversions, is to increase the power of Rydia's personal Eidolon, Whyt (nihongo|Pochika|ポーチカ|Pōchika in the Japanese version), who takes her places in the battle line-up, and acts under computer control according to abilities set to him by the player. The minigames can be played in either single-player or wireless (not Wi-Fi) multiplayer.

*New Game PlusCite web | url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/789/789326p1.html | title=Final Fantasy IV Update | publisher=IGN | date=2007-05-17 | accessdate=2007-09-30] : Allows players to start a new game with certain enhancements carried over from a previous completed game. Certain other new features are only available in a New Game Plus.

*Namingway: Because of the voice-acted scenes, he can no longer change character names. Instead he goes around the world changing his own name to fit different occupations. Examples of his name changes include "Mappingway" (charting the maps on the lower screen), "Campingway", and "Weddingway". Following Namingway around the world and engaging in his sidequest yields numerous rewards.

*Fat Chocobo, Bestiary, Video/Music Player: Like Namingway, because of new enhancements (in this case, the item limit being removed), Fat Chocobo can no longer serve his original purpose. Instead, he can be called in order to access the new bestiary and video/music player, as well as the Whyt minigames. Any full motion video that has been viewed in the game's story may be replayed. The music player includes a super deformed Edward strumming his harp and giving information on the selected track. [Cite web | url=http://ff4developers.cocolog-nifty.com/column/2007/11/post_a9a4.html | title=Official Blog: Jukebox | date=2007-11-02 | accessdate=2007-11-02 | publisher=Square Enix]

Plot and setting

According to executive producer Takashi Tokita, the scenario writer and lead game designer of the original release, three quarters of the original script had been left out of the original Super Famicom version. [Cite web | url=http://www.exophase.com/ds/final-fantasy-iv-ds-remake-not-just-pretty-graphics-1044.htm | title=Final Fantasy IV DS remake not just pretty graphics | author=x3sphere | date=2007-05-16 | accessdate=2007-09-30 | publisher=exophase.com] In a Q&A feature in the official Square Enix Members page, Tokita corrected this by saying that the original story script was never cut, but during the development of the original release, the game's text could not fit and had to be revised to a quarter of its intended size. [cite web|url=http://member.square-enix.com/na/features/ff4/02/|title=Final Fantasy IV Fan-powered Q&A Part 1|author=Square Enix|date=2008-09-05|accessdate=2008-09-27|publisher=member.square-enix.com]

tory

The original storyline of "Final Fantasy IV" is retained, with some of this missing script has been worked into the DS version in the form of flashbacks, including both Golbez becoming Zemus' pawn and childhood of Cecil, Kain, and Rosa. There are also brand new scenes.

"Final Fantasy IV" begins as the unmatched monarchy of Baron sends the Red Wings to attack the mage city of Mysida to obtain the Water Crystal, one of four powerful Crystals. Cecil, Lord Captain of the Red Wings, questions the king's motives after stealing the Water Crystal, killing the mages who fought to protect their treasure. He is stripped of his rank as a result and with Kain sent to deliver a ring to the Village of Mist and slay the Mist Dragon that guards its borders. [King of Baron: This is most unfortunate, but I can place no trust on one who offers none in return. I hereby relieve you of command of the Red Wings. / Cecil: My liege! / King: You will go now to the Valley of Mist instead. There is a task I would have you do. A phantom creature haunts the borders of that land-the Eidolon of Mist. You will slay it.. and deliver this ring to the village that lies beyond — they will know its meaning. Be gone by first light in the morning! cite video game | title =Final Fantasy IV DS | developer =Square Enix | publisher =Square Enix | date=2008-07-22 | platform =Nintendo DS | language=English ] Upon reaching the village, they discover the ring holds bombs which wreck the village and slaughtered many of its inhabitants. As the two decide to stop Baron's conquest, Cecil and Kain encounter Rydia, a young girl who appears to be the only survivor from the village, standing over her mother's body. Rydia's mother was the summoner who called forth the Mist Dragon to protect Mist from Baron, its death ending her life as well. [Rydia: Mother, you can't die! Just because your dragon did... cite video game | title =Final Fantasy IV DS | developer =Square Enix | publisher =Square Enix | date=2008-7-22 | platform =Nintendo DS | language=English ] Learning that Cecil is the one who killed her mother's Eidolon, the infuriated girl summons Titan to attack him and Kain; causing an earthquake that cuts off the route back to Baron and knocks the three unconscious. When Cecil awakens, he discovers that Kain has disappeared and the girl is injured. He carries her through a desert to an inn at the oasis town of Kaipo.

Soldiers from Baron arrive in the night to take the girl from Cecil on orders from the king of Baron to kill all Summoners. [Officer of Baron: Our orders come directly from His Majesty's own mouth. Surrender the girl, and he will pardon all you've done. The inhabitants of Mist represent a threat to us all. They must not be allowed to live! cite video game | title =Final Fantasy IV DS | developer =Square Enix | publisher =Square Enix | date=2008-7-22 | platform =Nintendo DS | language=English ] But seeing Cecil protect her from them convinces Rydia to forgive and join him. While in Kaipo, Cecil discovers a bedridden Rosa; searching for Cecil, she had contracted Desert Fever, curable only by a "Sand Pearl", its location known to the royals of Damcyan, so Cecil and Rydia travel north to Castle Damcyan via the Waterfall. Along the way they meet the Sage Tellah in the waterway, hindered by the Octomammoth as he is also traveling to Damcyan in search of his daughter Anna, who ran off there with a bard. [Tellah: My daughter Anna was tricked by a silver-tongued bard. He's taken her to Damcyan Castle. I fear I've little time. I sense something sinister. cite video game | title =Final Fantasy IV DS| developer =Square Enix | publisher =Square Enix | date=2008-07-22 | platform =Nintendo DS | language=English ] The three arrive just in time to witness the Red Wings bombard the castle. In investigating the ruins of the castle, they discover that Anna was killed in the assault when she took the arrows for her lover, who is actually Prince Edward. [Tellah: You--you're that bard! You the one responsible for this! / Edward: No Please! / Tellah: You spoony bard! cite video game | title =Final Fantasy IV DS| developer =Square Enix | publisher =Square Enix | date=2008-07-22 | platform =Nintendo DS | language=English ] Edward explains that a man named Golbez, the Red Wings' new commander, orchestrated the attack and stole Damcyan's Fire Crystal, [Edward: The Red Wings laid siege to us, led by a man named Golbez. cite video game | title =Final Fantasy IV DS| developer =Square Enix | publisher =Square Enix | date=2008-07-22 | platform =Nintendo DS | language=English ] prompting Tellah to leave the party to seek vengeance on Golbez for Anna's death. [Tellah: Tears do not bring back the dead, boy! Anna's death must be avenged. I'll find this Golbez! cite video game | title =Final Fantasy IV DS | developer =Square Enix | publisher =Square Enix | date=2008-07-22 | platform =Nintendo DS | language=English ] After Cecil reveals to him his quest to save Rosa, Edward joins him and Rydia in retrieving the Sand Pearl, which is located in the Antlion's nest.

At Kaipo, the revived Rosa joins the party; they resolve to go to Fabul to protect the Wind Crystal from being stolen by Golbez and the Red Wings. While crossing Mt. Hobs they encounter Yang, the head of the Fabul Monks, being ambushed by Golbez's monsters; the party helps him fight them off. Yang requests Cecil's help in defending Fabul after they inform him of Golbez's plot. [Yang? I am grafeful for the offer, but there is no reason for you to be dragged any further into this. / Cecil: Our stake in this conflict is no less than yours. / Yang: I see. Than I will most humble accept whatever help you are willing to provide. cite video game | title =Final Fantasy IV DS | developer =Square Enix | publisher =Square Enix | date=2008-07-22 | platform =Nintendo DS | language=English ] The Red Wings attack Castle Fabul and Cecil's party falls back to the Wind Crystal's room. There, Cecil is confronted by his friend Kain and learns Kain is allied with Golbez, unaware that his Kain is being controlled. Kain challenges and defeats Cecil in a duel. [ Kain: It's been some time, Cecil. / Cecil: Kain! You're alive! / Kain: I am. / Cecil: You'll fight, then? / Kain: Of course. That's the very reason I've come. But, Cecil...The one I'll fight is you! / Cecil: Kain!? / Kain: A duel, Cecil! / Cecil: What do you mean? / Kain: Draw your blade! cite video game | title =Final Fantasy IV DS | developer =Square Enix | publisher =Square Enix | date=2008-07-22 | platform =Nintendo DS | language=English ] When Rosa intervenes, Golbez arrives and kidnaps her as he commands Kain to take the Wind Crystal. The next morning, the party concludes that they will need an airship to confront Golbez's Red Wings. They decide to sneak into Baron to acquire an airship from Cid. [Edward: We must formulate a plan. / Cecil: If we're to take on Golbez, we need an airship. But the only man who knows how to build one is in Baron. cite video game | title =Final Fantasy IV DS | developer =Square Enix | publisher =Square Enix | date=2008-07-22 | platform =Nintendo DS | language=English ] Yang charters a ship to take Cecil, Edward, Rydia, and himself to Baron. While sailing, however, their ship is attacked by the Lord of All Seas, Leviathan.

Cecil awakens alone on a beach near Mysidia, where he is met with contempt by the town's wizards for stealing the Water Crystal earlier. [ Elder: You are the dark knight who came before. Why have you returned to this hallowed hall? / Cecil: My name is Cecil, and until recently I served as Lord Captain of Baron's airship fleet. When I came before, I did so at the order of my king--orders I lacked the courage to disobey. / Elder: You've come to apologize, then? Words do not wound, dark knight, nor do they restore life's flame to those whose candles you have doused. cite video game | title =Final Fantasy IV DS | developer =Square Enix | publisher =Square Enix | date=2008-07-22 | platform =Nintendo DS | language=English ] However, the Mysidian elder understands Cecil's plight, and tells him that to defeat Golbez, Cecil must climb Mt. Ordeals, which he must relinquish being a Dark Knight and become a Paladin. [ Elder: First you must ascend the mountain and trade your dark sword for one of light. Should the hallowed light deem you worthy, you will be made a paladin--a warrior of virtue. But know it will be no easy trail, Manyare the man who have scaled the mountain, but not one has returned. Will you try where all others have failed? / Cecil: I will! cite video game | title =Final Fantasy IV DS | developer =Square Enix | publisher =Square Enix | date=2008-07-22 | platform =Nintendo DS | language=English ] The elder sends twin wizards Palom and Porom to assist and spy on Cecil. [ Elder: Forgive me. It pained me to do so, but I sent these two along to keep watch on you--to ensure your intentions were pure. It seems there was no need. Palom, Porom---you've done a fine job / Palom: Well, now you know./ Porom: I'm terribly sorry I couldn't tell you.cite video game | title =Final Fantasy IV DS | developer =Square Enix | publisher =Square Enix | date=2008-07-22 | platform =Nintendo DS | language=English ] On the mountain, they encounter Tellah, who is searching for the forbidden spell Meteor to defeat Golbez. [ Cecil: Weren't you planning to go after Golbez?. /Tellah: Yes, but my mage is no match for a man of his strength. I've been searching for the legendary magic of Meteor. It has been long sealed aswat, and I know not where. But I feel a powerful aura radiating from this place. I believe the spell I seek may well rest within this mountain. cite video game | title =Final Fantasy IV DS | developer =Square Enix | publisher =Square Enix | date=2008-07-22 | platform =Nintendo DS | language=English ] Golbez attempts to stop the party by sending Scarmiglione, one of the Four Archfiends, to kill them. [Golbez: This...Cecil, I fear we can ignore him no longer. Let us clip his wings now, before he flies beyond our reach. The young man is a dark knight. His blade will be all but useless against your legion of undead--at least for now. He ascend Mount Ordeals even as we speak. / Scarmiglione: He meansss to become a paladin? / Golbez: Yes. And I mean to see that he does not. The matter of his passing I leave to you. / Scarmiglione: Worry not. It shall be as you wish. cite video game | title =Final Fantasy IV DS | developer =Square Enix | publisher =Square Enix | date=2008-07-22 | platform =Nintendo DS | language=English ] But the party defeats the archfiend, Cecil completes the trials, defeating his darkness to become a Paladin; Tellah also learns the secret of Meteor. Upon returning to Mysidia, the town elder is impressed that Cecil successfully became a Paladin and reveals a legend behind the sword he carries. Deciding to aid them, the Elder allows Cecil use of the "Devil's Road," a pathway that takes the party to Baron. There, Cecil learns that Cid has been arrested and Yang brainwashed into the service of Baron after suffering memory loss. After helping Yang regain his memory, Cecil, Yang, and the others infiltrate the castle and discover that the "king" is actually the Archfiend Cagnazzo who murdered the real king to assume his place. [Cecil: What have you done with the king!? / "King of Baron": Would you like to go and see him, that king of yours? You best not mistake me for another Scarmiglione. How one as weak as he came to be crowned an archfiend is something I will never know. Mw ha ha! / Cecil: Then you're one of them! / "King of Baron": Behold! I am the Drowned King, Cagnazzo--archfiend of water and sworn servant of Golbez! cite video game | title =Final Fantasy IV DS | developer =Square Enix | publisher =Square Enix | date=2008-07-22 | platform =Nintendo DS | language=English ] After defeating him, Cid is freed and takes Cecil and his friends to his newest airship, the Enterprise. However, with his last breath, Cagnazzo traps the heroes in the antechamber and causes its walls to move with the intent of crushing the party. [Cagnazzo: The Drowned King, Cagnazzo, deposed! But the wicked are not to fall alone. Ha ha ha ha ha! In life, I was terrible--In death, steeped in terror greater still. Drink long and deep of it ere you die! cite video game | title =Final Fantasy IV DS | developer =Square Enix | publisher =Square Enix | date=2008-07-22 | platform =Nintendo DS | language=English ] In a noble sacrifice, Palom and Porom petrify themselves to halt the trap. [Palom: We won't let you all die like this! / Porom: Tellah, look after Cecil for us! / Palom: Together! Now! / Porom: Right! / Porom & Palom: BREAK! cite video game | title =Final Fantasy IV DS | developer =Square Enix | publisher =Square Enix | date=2008-07-22 | platform =Nintendo DS | language=English ]

Cecil takes command of the Enterprise and is met at takeoff by the brainwashed Kain, who demands Cecil retrieve the final Crystal in exchange for Rosa's life. [Cecil: Where's Rosa? She's safe, I trust. / Kain: Heh. Worried about her, are you? If you wish to see Rosa live, fetch me the Earth Crystal from the land of Troia.cite video game | title =Final Fantasy IV DS | developer =Square Enix | publisher =Square Enix | date=2008-07-22 | platform =Nintendo DS | language=English ] Cecil heads for Troia, where the Earth Crystal is enshrined. He learns the Crystal was stolen by the Dark Elf, and his friends and he retrieve it. Kain leads the group to the Tower of Zot, where Rosa is imprisoned. At the tower's summit, Golbez takes the Crystal and attempts to flee. Tellah tries to kill Golbez by using Meteor at the cost of his life, managing to weaken Golbez, and seemingly shatter his control over Kain's mind, who had a realization about Cecil before he left. [Golbez: So, the old man's interference servered by hold over you. No matter. Your purpose is served. Do not think this affront will be forgiven. / Cecil: Why...why now stay your hand?/Golbez: You're--You..But--how?...? We will finish this another time. cite video game | title =Final Fantasy IV DS | developer =Square Enix | publisher =Square Enix | date=2008-07-22 | platform =Nintendo DS | language=English ] Kain helps Cecil rescue Rosa and, after defeating the Archfiend Barbariccia, the party escapes to Baron when the Tower starts to collapse.

In Baron, Kain reveals that Golbez must also obtain four subterranean "Dark Crystals" to achieve his goal. [Cecil: Kain, we've lost the Earth Crystal. Golbez holds all them now. / Kain: No. he holds four. / Rosa: You mean to say there are more? / Cid: Come to think it, I've heard tales of others! You speak of the Dark Crystals? / Kain: I do. cite video game | title =Final Fantasy IV DS | developer =Square Enix | publisher =Square Enix | date=2008-07-22 | platform =Nintendo DS | language=English ] Cecil swears to defend the Crystals; Kain gives him a "Magma Rock" he obtained while in the service of Golbez, which opens a passage to the Underworld. They fly through the opening, but their airship is soon damaged while caught in the cross-fire of a battle between the Dwarves' tanks and the airships of the Red Wings, forcing it to crash outside the Castle of Dwarves. King Giott of the dwarves accepts Cecil's offer to guard the Crystals. Cid departs to repair and upgrade the airship; soon after he leaves, Cecil, Rosa, Yang, and Kain discover Golbez has infiltrated the dwarves' crystal room and try to stop his theft of the Crystal. During the battle they are joined by Rydia, now a adult since she was taken by Leviathan to the Feymarch, the land of the Eidolons. [Rydia: When we were attacked, Leviathan swallowed me and carried me to the land of the Eidolons.. / Cecil: The Land of the Eidolons? / Rydia: The Feymarch--the place they call home. I live among them and befriended them. I can use white magic anymore, but my summoning and black magic have grown stronger. Time flows differently in the Feymarch, though... / Cecil: So that's why you've grown so much. cite video game | title =Final Fantasy IV DS | developer =Square Enix | publisher =Square Enix | date=2008-07-22 | platform =Nintendo DS | language=English ] However, Golbez escapes with the Dwarves' Dark Crystal, and Cecil sets out to the Tower of Babil to retrieve the lost crystals. King Giott offers the services of his tanks to draw the fire of the tower's defenses while the party infiltrates it. While inside, the party confronts the servant of Golbez, Dr. Lugae. He informs the party that the crystals have been moved to the above ground portion of the Tower, and as his last act Dr. Lugae orders that the Tower's Super Cannon destroy the dwarf tanks. Yang volunteers to stay behind and destroy the Super Cannon while the party escapes, and is presumed dead. Upon escaping the Tower the party is met by Cid and a repaired Enterprise. They are pursued by the Red Wings and fly back to the upper world to escape them; Cid throws himself overboard and detonates a bomb to re-seal the passage, apparently sacrificing himself. [Cid: Once you breach surface, I'll seal off that hold for good--with this! / Rosa: No! Not you too! / Cid: I was hopping I'd get to see your kids someday, but, well--someone's got to keep Yang company! You get yourselves back to Baron. Talk to my boys there! / Rydia: But Cid! You'll die! / Cid: And so young, too! cite video game | title =Final Fantasy IV DS | developer =Square Enix | publisher =Square Enix | date=2008-07-22 | platform =Nintendo DS | language=English ]

Back on the surface, they find the path to the Tower of Babil's upper half. While following it they was joined by Edge, the ninja prince of Eblan, who seeks revenge for his parents against Rubicante, last of the Archfiends. Inside the tower, the party defeats Rubicante after Edge is forced to kill his parents, now monsters thanks to Lugae's experiments. [ Edge: Rubicante! For this...for this you will pay! / Rubicante: It was Lugae who made chimerae of your parents. I share no hand in his perversities. They shame me, as they grieve you. / Edge: Don't speak of shame! / Rubicante: I respect men like you. Men with...courage. But you are a slave to your emotions, and so will never know true strength. Such is the curse of Men. / Edge: You think our rage--a weakness? Then let me show you how wrong you are! cite video game | title =Final Fantasy IV DS | developer =Square Enix | publisher =Square Enix | date=2008-07-22 | platform =Nintendo DS | language=English ] After falling through a trap door to an Underground portion of the Tower, the party finds an abandoned Red Wing airship and use the dubbed "Falcon" to head towards the Underworld's Sealed Cave to retrieve the eighth and final crystal before Golbez gets to it. After they do so, however, Golbez reveals he still had control over Kain, having him pretend to be normal until the last crystal was in his grasp. [ Golbez: Kain...Return to me, my pawn...Deliver to me the Crystal... / Cecil: Golbez! / Cecil: Kain! / Rosa: Don't listen! Resist him! / Kain: It's alright. I...I'm back in control of myself. / Edge: You filthy double-crosser! / Rosa: Kain. What are you doing!? /Golbez: You underestimate the strength of my abilities. I had but slackened your friend's lease, waiting for the proper moment to pull it taut. With this final Crystal, the Tower of Babil will be made complete. Come, Kain. / Cecil: Kain! Don't listen to him! Kain! / Kain: The Crystals are all assembled. We can open the way to the moon at last! cite video game | title =Final Fantasy IV DS | developer =Square Enix | publisher =Square Enix | date=2008-07-22 | platform =Nintendo DS | language=English ] Back at the Dwarven castle, Giott tells Cecil of the Lunar Whale, a "ship of light" designed to take travelers to and from the moon. [ Elder: She is risen! The promised Ship of Light... The Lunar Whale! cite video game | title =Final Fantasy IV DS | developer =Square Enix | publisher =Square Enix | date=2008-07-22 | platform =Nintendo DS | language=English ] Cid, who was found by the dwarves and nursed by them back to health, fits their airship with a drill and the party drills their way back to the surface. Cecil returns to Mysidia to pray for the Lunar Whale's appearance. It rises from the ocean, and Cecil, Rosa, Rydia, and Edge board it to travel to the moon.

Upon arriving on the moon, the party enters the Lunar Palace, and there the party meets an elderly man named Fusoya who explains that Cecil's father is a heroic but deceased Lunarian. [ 'Cecil: And the Lunar Whale, where did it come from? / Fusoya: Ah, the ship...My younger brother KluYa built that vessel long ago, and flew it to the Blue Planet. He took with him several of our secrets, such as the ones employed in your Devil's Road and in airships--a gift to your people. Kluya was fascinated by your planet and wished to know more about it. And while he was there, he fell in love with a woman of your planet. cite video game | title =Final Fantasy IV DS | developer =Square Enix | publisher =Square Enix | date=2008-07-22 | platform =Nintendo DS | language=English ] Fusoya also explains that a Lunarian named Zemus plans to destroy life on the Blue Planet to facilitate Lunarian inhabitation, using Golbez to summon a giant destructive android, the Giant of Babil. [ Fusoya: He thought it fit that we should simply raze all existing life on the Blue Planet and claim it as our own. / Rydia: That's horrible / Fusoya: Yes. And so I used by powers to force him into hibernation with the others. But as he slept, his will grew stronger and took on a consciousness all its own. It reached out to men with tainted hearts on your planet, twisting them into beings yet darker still. And through them, he began to gather the Crystals. / Cecil: So he was manipulating Golbez! / Edge: Does this guy have a name? / Fusoya: His name is Zemus. The Crystals function as a source of energy you see. I fear he has gathered them in order to activate the interdimenional elevator within the Tower of Babil. With it, he will be able to transport the Giant of Babil to your planet and use it to extinguish all life there.cite video game | title =Final Fantasy IV DS | developer =Square Enix | publisher =Square Enix | date=2008-07-22 | platform =Nintendo DS | language=English ] Meanwhile on Earth, the forces of the world, including some characters (Yang, Palom, Porom) thought to have died, attack the unleashed Giant. Fusoya, Cecil, Rosa, Rydia, and Edge enter and destroy the Giant. Fusoya breaks Zemus' control over Golbez, and Cecil learns that Golbez is his older brother. [Golbez: My father... His name was Kluya. / Rosa: That you're Cecil's own... / Edge: Brother!? cite video game | title =Final Fantasy IV DS | developer =Square Enix | publisher =Square Enix | date=2008-07-22 | platform =Nintendo DS | language=English ] After destroying the Giant, Golbez and Fusoya head to the core of the moon to defeat Zemus. Cecil's party follows after reuniting with Kain, now freed from Golbez's spell. After battling to the moon's core, the party witnesses Golbez and Fusoya kill Zemus but quickly lose to his ressurected form, the spirit Zeromus. [ Zeromus: I am the wellspring of darkness, fed by Zemus's unbridled hate. I am He who is called Zeromus... I am He who know naught but hate! cite video game | title =Final Fantasy IV DS | developer =Square Enix | publisher =Square Enix | date=2008-07-22 | platform =Nintendo DS | language=English ] With the united hopes of all beings combined with a special Crystal provided by Golbez, Cecil and his party defeat Zeromus after forcing him into physical form. [ Zeromus: I will never die...as long as there is darkness in the hearts of men! cite video game | title =Final Fantasy IV DS | developer =Square Enix | publisher =Square Enix | date=2008-07-22 | platform =Nintendo DS | language=English ] Following the conflict, Fusoya decides to enter rest with the other Lunarians, accepting Golbez's desire to be dormant as well. [Golbez: I cannot return. Not after I have done. And I would very much like to meet my father's people. At least one time. cite video game | title =Final Fantasy IV DS | developer =Square Enix | publisher =Square Enix | date=2008-07-22 | platform =Nintendo DS | language=English ] One year after the Lunarians' moon left the solar system, as Kain left for Mt Ordeals, everyone reunites to celebrate Cecil and Rosa's wedding and their coronation as Baron's new king and queen.

Audio

In June 2007, Square Enix held a casting for a vocalist to sing a rendition of "Final Fantasy IV"'s "Theme of Love" composed by Nobuo Uematsu.cite web |url=http://www.square-enix.co.jp/ff4ds/guideline.html |title=「愛のテーマ」ヴォーカリスト募集要項 |accessdate=2007-05-12 |author=Square Enix staff |date=2007-05 | publisher=Square Enix Japan | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070703210548/http://www.square-enix.co.jp/ff4ds/guideline.html | archivedate=2007-07-03 | language=Japanese] Megumi Ida was selected from approximately 800 applicants to perform the theme song [cite web |url=http://ff4developers.cocolog-nifty.com/column/2007/11/post_ab3b.html |title=Megumi Ida performes Theme of Love | accessdate=2007-11-16 |date =2007-11-16 |publisher=Matrix Software] nihongo|"Tsukino Akari"|月の明り|Tsuki no Akari|literally "moonlight". The song was arranged by Kenichiro Fukui, with the lyrics penned by scenario writer Takashi Tokita. [cite web |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2008/07/20/tsuki-no-akari-a-highlight-of-final-fantasy-iv-ds/ |title=‘Tsuki no Akari’ a highlight of Final Fantasy IV DS | accessdate=2008-07-21 |date =2007-07-20 |publisher=Siliconera ]

Voice cast

One of the biggest enhancements to the DS version of "Final Fantasy IV" is voice acting, which can be turned off if the player so desires.

Development

The official developer blog (maintained by producer Tomoya Asano) has outlined several key features of the remake. As in the original, players can reform their party with whoever they choose as party leader. When the player enters the menu, the party leader will now appear on the bottom screen where the player can read their thoughts about what is happening in the story at that time (the development team suggests players check this feature often for humorous anecdotes). [Cite web | url=http://ff4developers.cocolog-nifty.com/column/2007/09/post_2447.html | title=Official Blog: Party Leader Thoughts | date=2007-09-19 | accessdate=2007-09-19 | publisher=Square Enix]

Other developer blog entries have focused on the art and programming of the game. According to the art director, Matrix tried to make each location of the game feel unique. For example, the desert kingdom of Damcyan has taken on a Middle-Eastern flair, Fabul has been given a Chinese feeling, and Eblan has been given the feeling of a Ninja residence, which was not possible in the Super Famicom edition due to limited data capacity. [Cite web | url=http://ff4developers.cocolog-nifty.com/column/2007/10/post_17ec.html | title=Official Blog: Art Direction | date=2007-10-12 | accessdate=2007-10-12 | publisher=Square Enix.] Final Fantasy IV displays more characters and enemies on screen during battle compared to "Final Fantasy III", which required the modeling team to reduce the number of polygons per character without sacrificing qualityCite web | url=http://ff4developers.cocolog-nifty.com/column/2007/10/post_0b00.html | title=Official Blog: Programming | date=2007-10-27 | accessdate=2007-10-27 | publisher=Square Enix] The main programmer also suggests that the game is much larger than "Final Fantasy III" from a data standpoint, and compressing all the data to fit on a 1Gb ROM was difficult largely due to the voice data.

Reception

VG Reviews
EGM = B
Fam = 35 of 40 (9,9,8,9)
NP = 9.0 of 10
IGN = 8.7 of 10 [Cite web |url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/887/887583p1.html |title=IGN: Final Fantasy IV Review |publisher=IGN |accessdate=2008-07-12]
GSpot = 9.0 of 10
GT = 9.2 of 10

As of July 9, 2008, the game has sold 612,044 copies in Japan. [Weekly Famitsu, issue 1020] 810,000 copies have sold worldwide [cite web|url=http://www.vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=13437&region=All |title=Final Fantasy IV (DS) VG Chartz.com - Video Game Charts - Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, Wii, PS3, Xbox360, DS, PSP, PC |publisher=Vgchartz.com |date= |accessdate=2008-09-14]

References

External links

* [http://www.square-enix.co.jp/ff4ds/main.html Square Enix "Final Fantasy IV" for Nintendo DS Official Site] ja icon
* [http://ff4developers.cocolog-nifty.com/column/ Square Enix "Official Developer Blog"] ja icon
* [http://na.square-enix.com/ff4/ Square Enix "Final Fantasy IV" for Nintendo DS Official US Site]
* [http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Final_Fantasy_IV "Final Fantasy IV"] at Wikia
* [http://robotbling.gametrailers.com/gamepad/index.php?action=viewblog&id=163016 Translated Developer Blog]
* [http://www.rpgland.com/games/ff4/ds/importreview.html RPG Land Review]