Just recently Final Fantasy 4 IV DS has been announced for a July 22nd 2008 Release. Surely this remake will be a hit as it is not a direct port like so many other Final Fantasy Square Enix games lately. This is thoroughly done with lots of added story / plot scenes, in addition to gameplay quirks like the Decant Ability System which allows you to keep old ability’s from friend’s that leave the party.
The graphics are similar to the Final Fantasy III 3 DS remake done a year ago or so, but even more impressive. Voice acting is present to add even personality more along with the additional script. Enemies like the Sisters at Tower of Babil, Golbez and other tough boss fights have become even harder. Even Antlion and the weaker sub bosses can be a chore. This is great for the classic gamers who love a challenge and have already played through anyway. Remember, the Japanese version of FFIV for SNES was about twice as difficult (magic took of 1 / 2 the amount it does in the American version for example) and this version is about on par with that maybe even harder.
Overall Final Fantasy IV 4 DS is sure to fly off shelves when it’s out July 22nd 2008. More recent Final Fantasy fans who weren’t around for FFIV will have a spectacular time through this version (compared to the ports that did not add much).
This has me wondering about Dragon Warrior 4 / Dragon Quest IV DS. While Final Fantasy IV DS is going to be great, Dragon Quest IV might be my favorite RPG ever. I had gone through all the other RPG’s on the NES mostly and not even my other favorites, Destiny of an Emperor and Dragon Warrior III, were as deep.
No signs of Dragon Quest IV DS release in the stateside yet but you can tell from the Japanese screenshots that this is a solid remake. It is hard to predict when Dragon Quest IV, V or VI are coming if at all because if you remember Dragon Quest IV was remade for PS1 in Japan but that never made it here. This one seems more likely to make it eventually but I think Winter of 08 / 09 would be a good time to release it (surely they don’t want it out in the summer when everyone is playing Final Fantasy IV DS).
Dragon Quest IV DS at Amazon