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RetroforceGO! records episode 93 tonight: Final Fantasy IV photo

That's IV, not VI. Dyslexic as I am, I mistakenly read the Roman numeral backward upon referencing our top-secret schedule of show topics to see what this week's subject was, and proceeded to craft a header image featuring the opera scene. It was glorious and now I don't get to use it.

However, Final Fantasy IV is certainly not without its own merit, which is good because that's what we'll actually be discussing this week. It's the series installment that introduced the Active Time Battle system, and among other things, had one of the best soundtracks in the history of videogames. We're sure you'll agree there are plenty of other reasons to love FFIV, so hit the comments with your questions for the show.


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92 comments | showing # 1 to 50

Magnalon's Avatar
Magnalon at 06/18/2009 13:07
Best FF ever made out of 1-9. Excellent 'cast, I can't wait!


Questions:
"What did you think was in that package in the beginning at first?"
"Is 'Spoony Bard' really the greatest FF quote ever?"
Wayne Jackson's Avatar
Wayne Jackson at 06/18/2009 13:07
I'll get the inevitable question out of the way; do you think FFIV really needed the Saved By The Bell treatment with 'The After Years'? What are your opinions on it? And how could there be a more horribly forced name than Ceodore?
LK4O4's Avatar
LK4O4 at 06/18/2009 13:08
Yay! Honestly, I've never played FFIV, but I think the shows come out MUCH better when you guys have a more specific topic, instead of something overly general like, "Platformers." But you know, since you already have the header image, you guys should totally make next week's show about Final Fantasy VI!

So Colette, what did you think of Swords & Soldiers?
Forest Green Lantern's Avatar
Forest Green Lantern at 06/18/2009 13:08
I just finished Rydia's tale and going through the extra dungeon one more time. Can't wait til Yang's tale arrives!!! My question is this...why isnt there a multiplayer feature? Imagine taking a saved file and using the characters that you have to fight other people. Individual fights with eachs own group. That would be a hell of a lot of fun with my friends!
Tactix's Avatar
Tactix at 06/18/2009 13:10
I finally played FFIV recently on the DS, and it is amazing (even though I havent beaten it yet...it got really hard and I got really distracted :P)

Anyway, quick question. Palom or Porom?
Dimly's Avatar
Dimly at 06/18/2009 13:13
Do you agree with the statement that Cid in FFIV is that coolest Cid of them all?
alpha486's Avatar
alpha486 at 06/18/2009 13:13
Which character pulled off the most ridiculous comeback from death? I would have to go with Cid.
Analoge's Avatar
Analoge at 06/18/2009 13:15
Honestly, I tried so hard to play this, but good lord! It's so hard! Even the remake was hard.

So, my question is, do you think it's appropriate for a game like FFIV to be made in a time when most games are working on adjusting difficulty levels to the point of being challenging, but not nerve-wracking?

tl;dr Should the DS version have been nerfed?
Los255's Avatar
Los255 at 06/18/2009 13:16
A battle of epic proportions.

Which Final Fantasy ninja would you prefer to keep in your party at all times?

Edge vs Shadow vs Ninja (class)
Technophile's Avatar
Technophile at 06/18/2009 13:16
How amazing is Fusoya? Anyone who dies and turns into a puddle of hair is awesome.

Did you guys ever find the spoon? If so, did you ever have Yang throw it? Did you flip out when you saw how much damage it did?
Drel's Avatar
Drel at 06/18/2009 13:18
Around the time I rented FF4 for my SNES I was also in Boy Scouts. I remember one time when we went to Cecil's Pizzaria somewhere in Saint Louis and make our own pizzas in the kitchen. Although I didn't get to see Cecil there I was more disapointed to find out he wasn't a Dark Knight or a Paladin. >_<
Analoge's Avatar
Analoge at 06/18/2009 13:18
Also, the DS version of FFIV GREATLY improved the translation. Anyone who would argue otherwise is fooling themselves. Do you support Square-Enix's decision to update the translation, or would you have rather seen it come out with updated graphics only?
AlmightyTooth's Avatar
AlmightyTooth at 06/18/2009 13:21
If FFIV was made into a Saturday morning cartoon, would you watch it? What if it was on FOX?
Mike Hawk's Avatar
Mike Hawk at 06/18/2009 13:22
I was so surprised how well this game held up over the years. I played this for the first time last spring and i really liked it, especially when you consider that this game was made before i was born.

Question: did any of you guys think that the soldier Baigan was a real party member or could you tell he was a fraud?
Tubatic's Avatar
Tubatic at 06/18/2009 13:25
Hey yeah, what do you think of Swords and Soldiers on WiiWare last week?

Also, how cool is Reflect/Wall? Are there any rare / high level spells that you used either for cool effect or complete badassery?
Darkanubis87's Avatar
Darkanubis87 at 06/18/2009 13:27
Ok objectively, OBJECTIVELY, do you think the game could benefit from more or less story?
Pyroph's Avatar
Pyroph at 06/18/2009 13:28
Why doesn't someone make an awesome classic RPG for XBLA/PSN? With awesome sprites, and made from scratch, not a port/remake.
4knuckleshuffle's Avatar
4knuckleshuffle at 06/18/2009 13:32
I HAS A HAIKU! :D:D:D:D:D

Lol spoony bard lol
I have not finished it
Is it II or IV?
Los255's Avatar
Los255 at 06/18/2009 13:34
Oh man, I remember going to the the Moon for the first time and getting utterly raped on the SNES version. And I went there thinking I was over-leveled.

Another question: Which version do you think is the best way to introduce someone to FF4, the SNES and/or PS1 port(classic), or the DS remake (balanced with extras)?
naia-the-gamer's Avatar
naia-the-gamer at 06/18/2009 13:36
*dies*

I have a strong personal attachment to this game, as it was one that helped me get through some of the toughest years of my life as a kid. I use Rydia as my avatar because I admired her strength, despite what was thrown at her. I wanted to be strong like her.

So my question for all of you is this: Is there a game that you have a strong personal attachment to like I do with Final Fantasy IV?
Subenu's Avatar
Subenu at 06/18/2009 13:41
Question: Should Final Fantasy IV be on our videogame canon? (The one discussed in the Forum)
slackermonkey's Avatar
slackermonkey at 06/18/2009 13:44
Hey all! I've noticed that each of the male characters in FFIV embody a different personality/type of a guy in some kind of relationship. Palom = kid whose biggest girl problem is fighting with his sister; Edward = hopeless romantic; Edge = playboy/flirt; Cecil = guy w/ gf; Kain = guy who want's his best friend's girl; Yang = husband; Cid = overworking father; Tellah = overprotective father...so I can see how a guy can relate to at least one of the male characters...

So my question is for the ladies...do you think FFIV does as good a job depicting these relationships in its female cast? Is there any character you sympathize with? (doesn't just have to be from FFIV since there's only like 3...can be an FF)

Also for everybody...did FFIV start the whole love triangle thing in RPGs?
eYak's Avatar
eYak at 06/18/2009 13:46
I never played the original (every other one I could find on the SNES though). Was the moon level as extremely sucky in the old one too? Seriously, eff the moon.
Exquisitor's Avatar
Exquisitor at 06/18/2009 13:46
If you could swap characters from Final Fantasy IV(4) and VI(6), who would you exchange and what kind of impact would it have on the overall story?
ZeroTolo's Avatar
ZeroTolo at 06/18/2009 13:46
This was my very first "retro" Final Fantasy. I got it when the re-released it on the PSX with Chrono Trigger. Most people seem to know that the game initially had two difficulties, the original Japanese one and a specific difficulty created for the American audience that was really dumbed-down. So my questions to you, Retroforce are these:

Did any of you start with the original difficulty or just the American version?

If any have played both, which difficulty did you prefer?
Halidar's Avatar
Halidar at 06/18/2009 13:47
How heart breaking was it when the magic twins turned themselves to stone to save you? < I was using them, so it was even worse for me :'( >
Tristero's Avatar
Tristero at 06/18/2009 13:47
Chad, if you're ready to visit the darkside again, you're welcome to borrow my Wii and try ALL of the additional character stories for FFIV: The After Years on WiiWare. You know it's tempting ... you know it's just a phone call away.

Which remakes do you think are better for the DS? FFIII and FFIV or DQIV and DQV? Personally, I think the Dragon Quest games do a better job of capturing that 2d isometric joy with nice little updates to the sprite art. I think the chunky N64 graphics on the FF remakes are adequate, but don't quite tickle my nostalgia fancy as much.
ParaParaKing's Avatar
ParaParaKing at 06/18/2009 13:48
What's your favorite music piece from FF4?
I like the love theme between Cecil and Rosa best, but the Lunarians theme is great too.

Also what do you think about the love story in this game? Until this day I am amazed how nicely they implemented it without disturbing the main gameplay parts.
riomccarthy's Avatar
riomccarthy at 06/18/2009 13:48
Oh god so excited!!! The only way it could be better is if it were a VI episode which I hope to see in the future *hint, hint, nudge, nudge* :D

- Which of the characters would you want to be the most, like as in real life?
- Which one of you is the spoony bard?
- What is your favorite area in the game?

Weeeeee! So happy for this episode! :D Hugs for everyone!
TJF588's Avatar
TJF588 at 06/18/2009 13:50
Need some name differences discussion, from Stylistic choices (Cain/Kain, Tella/Tellah), truncations (Golbeza/Golbez), strange mods (Fusuya/FuSoYa/Fusoya), to repparopriation (Gilbart/Edward). Speaking of the bard-prince with a ninja-prince's name, Gilbert vs Gilbart.

... I need more BUTZ.
SetoChaos's Avatar
SetoChaos at 06/18/2009 13:54
You spoony bard!
AgentMOO's Avatar
AgentMOO at 06/18/2009 13:55
Chad, I don't know if you got to the question on failcast, but here it is again:

If you were able to give birth to a dolphin, would you put up with 9 months of swimming in the water while being preggers?

It's assumed that you'd float well enough from your dolphiny glow to keep from drowning while you sleep.
DJ Tanooki's Avatar
DJ Tanooki at 06/18/2009 13:58
What was your first reaction to the "Active Time Battle" system?

How does the DS version compare to the original and what is your overall opinion of the DS version?

Mode 7 is AWESOME!!!
Loogibot's Avatar
Loogibot at 06/18/2009 13:59
Ok, so I've never played a Final Fantasy game for more than half an hour of trying it. I have always looked from the sidelines to see if there's anything to draw me in, only to be dissapointed. I like JRPG's but theres something about the FF games I've tried that just dont feel right. I tried FF1,FF2, FF3, FF10, FFX-2, but either got bored, had lack of interest, or hit a wall of some sort that kept me from going on. So I ask:

-What about Final Fantasy IV do YOU guys like that stand out from the rest of the series that might draw in newcomers like myself?
odber's Avatar
odber at 06/18/2009 14:02
Have you seen the Final Fighting Fantasy -flash series?
spoonybard101's Avatar
spoonybard101 at 06/18/2009 14:04
Did any of you go nuts figuring out the Paladin trial? I died no less than three times attempting it until a friend told me to "just keep defending." And for Colette, to summon the Fat Chocobo, you need to use Gysahl greens in a spot that smells like chocobo. What, exactly, does chocobo smell like?
calpis's Avatar
calpis at 06/18/2009 14:05
Let's talk about the Dragoon Knights and the Dragoon Jump, is this the best class and special move ever in all RPGs?

Also, concerning the artwork for the FFIV remake for the ds, do you approve the rendition of Rydia having an amazing rack and not so amazing hips?

PrestoChango's Avatar
PrestoChango at 06/18/2009 14:14
You Spoony Bards!!
This game changed my life. Until I'd played this game, I had no clue as to how moving a game could be. The music, the story, the sacrifices. I'll never forget the summer days I spent indoors with the blinds pulled adventuring with Cecil and the party. This is, (sorry chad) the best Final Fantasy.
So what was your favorite mode of transport?
How about them dancing ladies?
Favorite Entity/Beast to Call?
PappaDukes's Avatar
PappaDukes at 06/18/2009 14:15
On a scale of 10-10, just how fucking AMAAAAAAZING do you think FF IV is?

On a side note, to the entire podcast, which version is your favorite?

On a side-side note, how many of you have finished The After Years episodic content through Rydia's tale? What did you think? I finished Rydia's tale in about 5 hours, and that included alot of grinding, and I feel it was just way too short. Thoughts?
Demtor's Avatar
Demtor at 06/18/2009 14:25
Has any of the cast played the original Japanese version of FFIV which was much harder than the US one?
Moofey's Avatar
Moofey at 06/18/2009 14:29
You spoony bards!
theredpepperofdoom's Avatar
theredpepperofdoom at 06/18/2009 14:32
I haven't played Final Fantasy IV. What sort of punishment do I deserve?
Ashley Davis's Avatar
Ashley Davis at 06/18/2009 14:36
What do you all think of Cecil's transformation from Dark Knight to Paladin? That one thing has always set IV apart from all of the other FF games for me; it may technically just be a simple class change, but he does it for a reason. We can see his attitude change as he struggles between following orders and doing the right thing, and then he goes on this epic quest to change himself, instead of following a class change dictated by the player. Completely changing the play style and appearance of a character as an integral part of the story is something I can't recall happening in any other game of its kind. Is this something you would like to see happen in more games?
twister1988's Avatar
twister1988 at 06/18/2009 14:37
Ok so I love RPG's but I have never really been able to get into the Final Fantasy series. The few exceptions to this though are all the FF games on the SNES and FF Tactics, the thing is though .... I'm not really sure why I don't like them. So my question is to you, especially if any of you aren't FF crazy, is why can't I get into the series, yet I do like the SNES ones? I just don't get it.

Also I just recently started listening to RFG! and have to say I have no idea why it took me sooooo long to start listening. THANK YOU ALL!


Also on a not FF related note, Why haven't you talked about Starfy yet? Especially on your Platformers episode a couple weeks ago?
Fyrebrand's Avatar
Fyrebrand at 06/18/2009 14:48
Final Fantasy IV?!! NO WAY!! One of my all-time favorites. *looks at avatar* I do indeed look forward to this podcast...

So, uh... questions, okay...

- Cecil VS Kain: Who would win in a fair fight?

- Chocobos have made all kinds of ridiculous noises over the years ("cooc," "wark," "kweh," etc.) What's your favorite chocobo sound? Or, what's your favorite chocobo, period?

@slackermonkey: nice observation on the character relationships
funran's Avatar
funran at 06/18/2009 14:50
Yay! You used my idea Chad! I WANNA KISS YOUR MOUTH!

jk (not really)

Final Fantasy IV had some of my favorite battle music (well all of the music) in any Final Fantasy game. What was your Favorite Final Fantasy Battle and Boss music? Does FFIV make the cut?
dapperdanG's Avatar
dapperdanG at 06/18/2009 14:53
I realize it's stupid to post about FFIV having never finished it, but the one thing that has always stood out about this series, and this game in particular, was the artwork by Yoshitaka Amano. I remember seeing the box art and instruction manuals for these games and being in awe of them. A feeling I don't remember having again until MGS.


http://www.ffshrine.org/ff4/ff4_amanoart.php

http://www.amanosworld.com/
TheStolker's Avatar
TheStolker at 06/18/2009 14:54
What did you think about the party in final fantasy IV? (2 on the snes)
Do you think they should bring the party back up to 5 for future games?
Did you like not having to choose a party or do you prefer selecting who fights alongside you (as in final fantsy 3(us) or 9?)
Bizznet's Avatar
Bizznet at 06/18/2009 15:01
Throughout the entire game there are moments of the characters sacrificing themselves for the greater good. What was the most powerful point in FFIV, and were there any moments in the game that had you cry or at least choke up?

@ Demtor;
I think the DS remake was made to be as hard as the Japanese SNES version.
BenHaskett's Avatar
BenHaskett at 06/18/2009 15:02
This game was great. I look forward to the podcast.

The sequel: worth the money?
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