Final Fantasy IV Advance (GBA) review

Magical introduction to the FF universe or clunky old timer who can't get his wand up?

GamesRadar+ Verdict

Pros

  • +

    Compelling

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    varied gameplay

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    Large and likable cast of characters

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    Lots of new content on GBA

Cons

  • -

    Technical glitches are common

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    Story is a bit thin

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    No new content till you beat it

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One of the best things about tearing into a remake of a classic game is not just the satisfaction you get from embarking on an adventure that's stood the test of time. No, it's the contentment you get when you realize, halfway through the adventure, that the developers of today have lessons to learn from the past. Final Fantasy IV Advance is an absolute blast from beginning to end.

If you, like many, missed the game the first time around, you'll still be in for a sweet ride. The adventure picks up in the kingdom of Baron; its king is bent on claiming the world's powerful crystals for his own by any means possible. It sounds quaint, but the elements of subtle human drama injected by its conflicted hero, Cecil, and his cast of allies are what make the story interesting.

By today's multi-million dollar standards, the story is thin, but from a gameplay perspective it's always driving the action forward - you're never just mindlessly wandering the world trying to track down trinkets. There's always a very good reason to be seeking out the darkest dungeons and battling the evilest of enemies. That counts for a lot in an era where most RPGs seem to be secretly designed by FedEx as a subliminal recruitment tool. Go here, get thing. Go there. Repeat.

But what FFIV most clearly illustrates is what it takes to drive an RPG and make it interesting. It takes a pack of characters with interesting abilities, a battle system that takes advantage of them, and dungeons that are worth exploring. FFIV hits all of these marks easily. Each character has something that makes him or her different from the others. Almost every dungeon forces you to try something new, whether it's due to the design or the enemies, to get to the end.

More info

GenreRole Playing
DescriptionAn addictive and rollicking RPG adventure that never stops. It's great for long-time fans or as an introduction to the FF universe.
Platform"GBA","DS"
US censor rating"Everyone 10+","Everyone 10+"
UK censor rating"",""
Alternative names"FF IV Advance","Final Fantasy 4 Advance","Final Fantasy 4 Advance"
Release date1 January 1970 (US), 1 January 1970 (UK)
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