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Best Version of Final Fantasy IV?

inner-G said:
Much like an emulator, I don't think you'll get 100% sound reproduction like you would from the SNES sound chip.
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You would be surprised how nice the sound patch for FF VI advance sounds. It's pretty amazing. Dunno if it's perfect, but it sounds a heck of a lot closer to the original SNES soundtrack.

And no, to whoever asked about there being a patch for IV advances sound. There is no sound fix for IV. Only ones for V and VI advance.
 
The DS version is tons of fun, but I hated what they did with characters and story. I always enjoyed the way FFIV was paced and played out, but type of shit? SMH. Not really a problem if you're playing it the umpteenth time though.
 
PSP version! It has the most content, and is closest to a definitive version as you are going to get. (Though it still isn't perfect, sadly.)

I'd suggest the GBA version next, especially if you want to stick with the original sprite graphics. (But import the PAL version to avoid some stupid glitches.)

The DS version is a great game, but it doesn't really feel like the true FFIV experience to me. The graphic style does not suit the game IMO, and while the augment system is interesting, I was not really a fan of it personally.
 
spats said:
Not the DS version. It's so soulless and dead, I can't stand it.

SNES version is great.
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This. The awful 3D was the reason the game felt soulless and dead for me.

Then again, I think 3D graphics on the DS are all awful. Haven't played a single 3D game that doesn't make me physically ill.
 
People are really choosing the SNES version?

Dumbed down difficulty, bad translation, many item/moves removed.

Okay...what ever does it for you.
 
I'd say PSP/GBA are my faves, and I cannot stand the look of the DS version.

Are there no rom patches that up the difficulty for GBA vanilla FFIV?
 
I just started the PSP game on Vita because of this thread, I don't think I'll play it to completion right now, but I want to *at least* try it out for a couple of hours. If only to get a vibe of the changes they made.

Which leads me to asking: IV > Interlude > After Years is the correct way of tackling this, right?
 
PSOne version is hands down the best option. Original graphics, original difficulty curve, solid localization that's more accurate without falling into the trap of trying too hard like the later versions, and none of the technical problems or excessive load times the other PSOne FF ports had. I'm a huge proponent for accuracy and authenticity, so for me no other version can compete.
 
DS version is hands-down the best one. Vanilla FFIV is so boring and has zero customization (i.e. every playthrough is EXACTLY the same). DS version at least allows for some more customization, and it's also more difficult than vanilla.

If you HAVE to play vanilla, go with PSP.
 
I haven't played the PSP version so I'll have to go with the SFC or SNES version. They're the original versions that got people into it in the first place so best to experience that before checking out the enhanced ports.

The GBA port had the novelty of being portable but otherwise it's somewhat of a "cheapie" version.

Then the DS version was just straight ugly and for me the VA actually took away from the game.
 
So far from what I have been playing the DS version is a lot better. I prefer sprites but I like the new difficulty and tactics involved. It is pretty much the hardest Final Fantasy I have played. FF3 on the DS was just a cakewalk but this is forcing me to put on the slowest battle speed for every boss encounter (mid-through). I do like some of the presentation and cutscenes but the polygons themselves are outdated. I didn't get to play this version until a few months ago but I appreciate the gameplay mechanics and improvements. That matters more to me when the story and characters are not so interesting when you are no longer 13 years old.
 
I'm surprised and happy to see that there is such a wide variety of answers

Anyways my choice is GBA. PSP a close second. Neither will wow anyone the way the SNES version did when it first came out though. Playing old games never feels the same. I wish I could go back in time and wipe my memory and replay it for the first time again.
 
Aesthetically...I'd go with the SNES or PSP version. The DS version is the most enganging, gameplay wise, but the visuals, framerate, controls, and soundtrack all leave something to be desired.

re: the PSP version. I played through it recently...is it me or is the encounter rate ridiculously high, even compared to the original? Maybe I'm just imagining things.
 
I like the DS version, it's nice fan service for people who grew up with FF4. I liked seeing how all my favorite scenes would be re-created with polygons and voice acting. And it's really tough, so it makes for a more engaging experience if you've already completed FFIV a couple of times. I'm surprised SE hasn't ported it to IOS yet like they did with FF3...

Also, filling out a map to 100% gives you items.. which is one of my favorite things ever.
 
Here are the ones I've played.

Euro GBA > PS1 > PSP > SFC > SNES> DS >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Boop>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>ET>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Superman 64>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> US GBA.
 
RomanticHeroX said:
PSOne version is hands down the best option. Original graphics, original difficulty curve, solid localization that's more accurate without falling into the trap of trying too hard like the later versions, and none of the technical problems or excessive load times the other PSOne FF ports had. I'm a huge proponent for accuracy and authenticity, so for me no other version can compete.
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Came here to post this. Translation kills the GBA version, despite it being otherwise pretty good. Too bad it's not up on PSN yet.

I haven't played the PSP version at all, glad to see it's getting such high marks.
 
I think I'd go for the DS version, it's an excellent remake and pretty challenging (in the good way). Too bad you pretty much need a faq for the augment system, and you will get spoiled for some things
 
finalfantasy2snes.gif


It's the one I grew up with. My childhood nostalgia > your so called arguments.

Seriously though, the GBA version has inferior sound quality. The NDS remake is all right, but it's not the real thing. I never really got the augment stuff either. I didn't finish it though, I forgot about it somewhere along the road. I'm unfamiliar with the PSP version but looking at some videos the sprites it looks pretty nice.
 
DS version easily. The others are just too easy and boring to play and the story isn't anything special these days.

TheExodu5 said:
re: the PSP version. I played through it recently...is it me or is the encounter rate ridiculously high, even compared to the original? Maybe I'm just imagining things.
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The remixed versions all lack a minimum step count before you get an encounter so if you've got bad luck you may get significantly more encounters than the SNES version.
 
I heard the PSP version was waaay too easy.
 
mattiewheels said:
I heard the PSP version was waaay too easy.
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At first yes. But eventually things start to get more difficult. I think it was around the time I got a few dungeons into the underworld (Leviathan fight). Also, you have a plethora of added content that is sure to give a challenge. Not to mention the After Years itself is a rather brutal game to begin with anyway if you want to include that.
 
Jinfash said:
I just started the PSP game on Vita because of this thread, I don't think I'll play it to completion right now, but I want to *at least* try it out for a couple of hours. If only to get a vibe of the changes they made.

Which leads me to asking: IV > Interlude > After Years is the correct way of tackling this, right?
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That is the correct order, yep.
I was having an absolute blast tackling The After Years for the first time prior to Diablo III stealing all of my free time away.
Planning on diving back into this once that addiction ebbs over the summer.
 
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