Ultimate Fantasy IV is the sport that put Sq.’s collection on a brand new path, one which prioritised dramatic, character-driven tales — one thing that may outline the franchise going ahead. It tells the twisting story of Cecil, a talented knight who begins to query his nation’s militaristic ambitions. Even 32 years after its preliminary launch, the sport’s plot is deeply participating, and is held collectively by a terrific forged of personalities, every with their very own understanding of a world that is on the point of all-out struggle.
Get together members come and go because the narrative progresses, and the pacing is sort of excellent all through. This was actually the primary time that Ultimate Fantasy tried to meld gameplay methods with storytelling, as quite a few plot factors truly affect the way in which characters conduct themselves in battle, opening up new talents and the like. As such, the entire journey has an impressively cohesive really feel, from the story route, to the turn-based motion, to the method of levelling up your ragtag band of heroes.
And also you in all probability might want to degree up. Ultimate Fantasy IV may be brutal RPG, with weaker characters continually kicking the bucket if a monster a lot as sneezes at them — however the problem curve does even out as soon as you’ve got acquired a number of mainstay social gathering members. Fortunately, if you happen to’re not up for the potential grind, the Pixel Remaster’s exp and cash boosters alleviate plenty of the stress.
Fight additionally takes a notable step ahead on this instalment with the introduction of the now iconic Lively Time Battle (ATB) system. Character actions are primarily ruled by a timer, including a welcome layer of technique to issuing instructions, and the timing of such. What’s extra, particular person social gathering members include their very own distinctive traits and skills, making for an impressively wealthy turn-based expertise.
Ultimate Fantasy IV was a big reduce above what had come earlier than, and it is nonetheless a improbable RPG at this time.