Final Fantasy IV DS

[Schfifty Five]

Just noticed this on gamespot's page:

Text

FF II (Jap 4) is one of my favorite FF series, a close 2nd to FF III (Jap 6). I played the original SNES version as well as the Gameboy advance one (though the GBA one was buggy as hell).

They revamped the graphics with 3D and included voice acting and cgi cut scenes.

Looks really good for a DS game.

I hope they continue and make the rest of the FF series (up to 6) on DS.

 

[DaveSimmons]

I have the PS1 "Chronicles" version in my unplayed stack, any idea how the two versions compare?

 

[fatdragondzc]

You will get some nostalgic feel from a new 3d rendered version. There are some changes to the characters ability and of course look wise. Also the story parts are now CGI scenes instead of the text box from FF4 we all rememeber.

 

[nsafreak]

Hmmm I was wondering how they would cram voice acting on at the same time as CGI. Looks like the CGI is reserved for the intro and perhaps a few other parts where there doesn't look to be voice acting and the voice acting will be done with in game graphics. The voice acting that they have a movie for isn't bad either. Still I have to wonder how they're managing to cram all of this onto a single DS cart.

 

[Fingolfin269]

I'm really looking forward to this as it was always my favorite FF.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: nsafreak
Still I have to wonder how they're managing to cram all of this onto a single DS cart.

Hence my question, since the PS1 has a 650 MB CD for its content vs. a 256 MB cart.

The PS1 can also render at up to 640x480 (though in-game is often 320x240) while the DS is limited to 256 x 192 (per screen).

 

[Lord Banshee]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons

Originally posted by: nsafreak
Still I have to wonder how they're managing to cram all of this onto a single DS cart.

Hence my question, since the PS1 has a 650 MB CD for its content vs. a 256 MB cart.

The PS1 can also render at up to 640x480 (though in-game is often 320x240) while the DS is limited to 256 x 192 (per screen).

Dave,

Not sure if you missed the idea of FF4 on DS or i just don't understand your question.

Q1. I have the PS1 "Chronicles" version in my unplayed stack, any idea how the two versions compare?

A1. Big difference, PS1 is 2D original game with some added CGI for important parts (not much). DS is a complete 3D game 100% remake.

PS1 FF4

DS FF4

Q2. PS1 CD = 650MB, well lets just say there was a lot of wasted space for the PS1 version as the game would fit into a ~4MB(guessing size) SNES cart, and so i am sure the game with CGI seq was no more than 50MB


IGN hands-on 6/12/08

In general though, we're seeing a great blend of old and new, as the story is already sticking to the original script for the most part, but adding where necessary and truly improving on the source content. VO is well acted, scripted sequences rock, models have great articulation and facial features that animate, and the entire game has a stronger, more cinematic feel. We'd suggest instantly speeding up the game in the options menu once you boot though, as we personally needed a faster pace, and with IV being the first actual "active time" battles in the series, we wanted that faster "action" feel from it.

Sounds like a much better remake than FF3, but i actually like the remake of FF3 so i am sure i will very much enjoy this one.

 

[Dacalo]

Man, I remember playing FFII on SNES in early 90's... Cecil, Kain, Rosa, and rest of the gang.

Good times...

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: Lord Banshee
Dave,

Not sure if you missed the idea of FF4 on DS or i just don't understand your question.

A1. Big difference, PS1 is 2D original game with some added CGI for important parts (not much). DS is a complete 3D game 100% remake.

Q2. PS1 CD = 650MB...
A2. well lets just say there was a lot of wasted space for the PS1 version as the game would fit into a ~4MB(guessing size) SNES cart, and so i am sure the game with CGI seq was no more than 50MB

That does clear things up. I haven't played any version of FFIV yet so had no idea how the amount of cutscenes compared to later games. If there had been 30 minutes of 640x480 cutscenes in the PS1 version I might prefer it over 2 minutes in the DS.

Those DS graphics look a lot nicer than the PS1 graphics, I may finally have to buy a DS ("once the Jasper revision is out" )

 

[Schfifty Five]

As a side note, FF Tactics Advance 2 for DS is coming out this month. Totally different style of gameplay from traditional FF games, but still gonna be great =)

I'm really excited for FF IV DS, can't wait to play a "new classic" hehe.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons

Originally posted by: Lord Banshee
Dave,

Not sure if you missed the idea of FF4 on DS or i just don't understand your question.

A1. Big difference, PS1 is 2D original game with some added CGI for important parts (not much). DS is a complete 3D game 100% remake.

Q2. PS1 CD = 650MB...
A2. well lets just say there was a lot of wasted space for the PS1 version as the game would fit into a ~4MB(guessing size) SNES cart, and so i am sure the game with CGI seq was no more than 50MB

That does clear things up. I haven't played any version of FFIV yet so had no idea how the amount of cutscenes compared to later games. If there had been 30 minutes of 640x480 cutscenes in the PS1 version I might prefer it over 2 minutes in the DS.

Those DS graphics look a lot nicer than the PS1 graphics, I may finally have to buy a DS ("once the Jasper revision is out" )

Hah... man, if you've never played it before then you really should play the Playstation version since it's more or less the same as the SNES version. You ought to experience the same thing the rest of us did the first time we played it.

 

[Blayze]

Looking forward to Final Fantasy IV on the DS. I have never played 4 or 6. I've thought about picking up VI Advance and playing it, but I was wondering if I should or wait and see if 6 is remade for the DS. I've actually managed to find a new copy of VI Advance for $30.

Also is Final Fantasy III any good on the DS?

 

[Schfifty Five]

Originally posted by: Blayze
Looking forward to Final Fantasy IV on the DS. I have never played 4 or 6. I've thought about picking up VI Advance and playing it, but I was wondering if I should or wait and see if 6 is remade for the DS. I've actually managed to find a new copy of VI Advance for $30.

Also is Final Fantasy III any good on the DS?

FFIII is decent.....it's the first FF game on DS that was converted to 3-D style.

It has some annoyances though like save points and stuff., but overall good game.

 

[techwanabe]

So what is up with this Jasper version of the DS?

 

[Aikouka]

I tried this out on an emulator using the Japanese game and it's pretty sweet. I can't wait for it to come out ! I only hope that they have Japanese voices with subtitles though... I can't stand horrible dubs.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Aikouka
I tried this out on an emulator using the Japanese game and it's pretty sweet. I can't wait for it to come out ! I only hope that they have Japanese voices with subtitles though... I can't stand horrible dubs.

Do you think there is any chance at all that they would do that?

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: mugs
Do you think there is any chance at all that they would do that?

Nope

I might just buy the import then. I've only ever seen one thing that was dubbed and wasn't bad... and that was the Read or Die OVA. Americanization (not just English text, but also accents, etc) just doesn't work when you've seen plenty of the "original content" to get a feel for what it should be like.

 

[ggnl]

Originally posted by: Blayze
Looking forward to Final Fantasy IV on the DS. I have never played 4 or 6. I've thought about picking up VI Advance and playing it, but I was wondering if I should or wait and see if 6 is remade for the DS. I've actually managed to find a new copy of VI Advance for $30.

Also is Final Fantasy III any good on the DS?

VI Advance might be a little hard to get interested in if you never played it before. The game itself is a direct port from SNES so graphics and sound are exactly what you'd expect from a 14 year old game played on a tiny screen. It's still a very fun game, but it think it takes a good bit of nostalgia to fully appreciate it.

I'd stick with the DS ports of the earlier games for now and hope VI gets re-remade eventually.

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: ggnl
I'd stick with the DS ports of the earlier games for now and hope VI gets re-remade eventually.

It's not like FF3-DS had mind-blowing graphics or anything. Most of the value for that particular game was from it being the first time FF3 had ever been released in the US.

As for the PS1 versions, I would actually hesitate before recommending them. Chronicles and Anthology were infamous for longer load times than the SNES versions (and subsequent GBA versions). The GBA versions also had additional content.

My own platform recommendations:
FF1: PSP
FF2: PSP
FF3: DS
FF4: GBA (maybe DS, depending on reviews)
FF5: GBA
FF6: GBA

 

[erwos]

Looks like the DS version of FF4 might be the one to get after all:

http://www.rpgamer.com/games/ff/ff4ds/ff4dsimp.html

 

[RaiderJ]

Why does EVERYTHING have to be 3D?

 

[Schfifty Five]

Originally posted by: RaiderJ
Why does EVERYTHING have to be 3D?

Because they already have remake versions of FF II (IV) for PS1/Gameboy Advance.

What would be the point of remaking it again for DS...of course you need to change something to make it worth it.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Schfifty Five

Originally posted by: RaiderJ
Why does EVERYTHING have to be 3D?

Because they already have remake versions of FF II (IV) for PS1/Gameboy Advance.

What would be the point of remaking it again for DS...of course you need to change something to make it worth it.

Well, 2D graphics can get a LOT better than the SNES Final Fantasy games. But 2D/3D doesn't really matter to me.

 

[skace]

Originally posted by: erwos
It's not like FF3-DS had mind-blowing graphics or anything. Most of the value for that particular game was from it being the first time FF3 had ever been released in the US.

Slight correction here, FF3-DS's graphics may not be perfect, but they are worlds above and beyond the original game. You can find comparison shots all over the internet. The most impressive part about the FF3 DS is that it uses 3D graphics but they maintained a lot of "trueness" to the original 2D game. A lot of 3D conversions tend to re-imagine scenes or change things around.

For instance: The FF3 DS 3D version of the game maintains the walk-through wall secrets that a lot of people considered a fun part of the series. Doing this in 3D, while not technically impressive, was very impressive from a delivery standpoint.

The game does have a very charming look to it. I loved the way it turned out. In fact my only complaint about FF3 was difficulty related, the last boss (or last 23453 bosses in a row) handed me my ass.

I'm honestly not sure WHY they've chosen 3D for these games, maybe they can actually save space by the way they use textures instead of sprites. I don't know. But the look is good and it works, so no complaint from me.

 

[FeathersMcGraw]

Originally posted by: ggnl
VI Advance might be a little hard to get interested in if you never played it before. The game itself is a direct port from SNES so graphics and sound are exactly what you'd expect from a 14 year old game played on a tiny screen. It's still a very fun game, but it think it takes a good bit of nostalgia to fully appreciate it.

I haven't managed to locate FFVIA yet, but the dated graphics didn't stop me from sinking in at least 30-40 hours into FFVA. Obsessive job level grinding don't need no fancy pictures.