The Nostalgia Filter surrounding Final Fantasy IV

Okay, at the time, Final Fantasy IV was revolutionary and even today, the battles are pretty fun and the characters are somewhat likeable (besides Edward), but why do people (by that I mostly mean reviewers) still treat it as the holy grail of JRPG's? The plot is pretty simplistic and mostly serves as an excuse to go to new areas using crystals as a Plot Coupon. On top of that, it's an Idiot Plot. You'd think after getting tricked out of the crystal for the nth time, the heroes would be wiser, but nope, the villain gets away with all of them in the end. Also, there's the fact that you have virtually no control over your party. Characters are constantly leaving and coming against your will, and you just have to bear with the continually shifting party dynamic no matter how awkward.

I think you made a typo or forgot to switch I and V.

I didn't mind the Idiot Plot, but the archaic battle system, lack of any real customization, and the constant influx and exodus of party members bugged the hell out of me. I still enjoyed the game, but would I call it a favorite? Ew, no.

Nostalgia filter? In Final Fantasy?

It's more likely than you think.

Seinfeld Is Unfunny and Nostalgia Filter. Oh and I think you made a typo or forgot to switch I and V.

Maybe because the "Active Time Battle" system makes it so fun. I seriously can't think of a JRPG that has it that isn't a blast to play.

edited 3rd Dec '10 1:43:46 PM by IYellalot

Final Fantasy IV is overrated? I thought that was VI.

I guess it doesn't help that IV was one of the last games in the series that I played. I started out with the PS 2 titles and worked my way down. Compared to them, IV just felt so... barebones. =d

The DS version helps on that front, but it's still not one of my favorites.

Also, the final battle theme was subpar.

^^^ I can't think of a JRPG that has it that is.

edited 3rd Dec '10 1:48:06 PM by DYRE

Final Fantasy IV is overrated? I thought that was VI.

I think you mean VII and VIII.

VI is a fucking masterpiece, especially the GBA translation. The nonlinear gameplay in the second half of the game is especially impressive, considering the standards at the time.

... Your Milage May Vary.

The only ATB system I've enjoyed was employed in Chrono Trigger. I felt other implementations were subpar.

VI is a fucking masterpiece, especially the GBA translation. The nonlinear gameplay in the second half of the game is especially impressive, considering the standards at the time.

High five!

The overall narrative kinda falls apart after getting the Falcon, though.

I haven't seen much about VIII to be honest...

Your Milage May Vary.

That doesn't mean I can't argue that people who disagree with me are morons.

VI was a buggy mess. And the story wasn't that good. Especially in the second half of the game.

VI is a fucking masterpiece, especially the GBA translation.

Hence overrated. Final Fantasy VI and Final Fantasy VII, are by far, the two most overrated Final Fantasy titles of all time. To me at least.

The only ATB system I've enjoyed was employed in Chrono Trigger. I felt other implementations were subpar.

Eh. I disliked how your ATB gauge stops when the enemy attacks. That bugged the hell out of me. I prefer X-2's, XII's, and XIII's a lot more. Constant action!

Final Fantasy X had the best battle system of all the Final Fantasy games.

For pretty much that reason alone, it was also the best Final Fantasy game overall.

Most of the bugs got fixed in the GBA version. As for the story, it is awesome, with some real Tear Jerker moments, and Character Development for almost every character, especially in the latter half of the game. And the ending, the ending.

edited 3rd Dec '10 1:55:03 PM by IYellalot

"Oh the fan boys may stop arguing here, but I will say on a Kefka fan site that Sephiroth is the greatest. Then I'll go to a Sephiroth fan site and say Kefka is the greatest... where on the forums and comments the arguments will start again! In two weeks I won't remember any of this. But the rage and hate will be reborn again here. So even as the fans stop arguing again and again, I shall start them over! Born again in this ENDLESS CYCLE that I have wrought! "

The light warriors can't stop this.

I've only played a little of FFIV. It's a game I'd play for the battles, not the plot, and I liked it on that ground. The uneven party really freshens up encounters.

You know I really have no idea why it is the holy grail of JRP Gs from that era. If anything I find Lufia 2 to be far superior. The story is nice, the characters are nice, there are pets and secrets, the battles are fun, and the dungeons aren't just "WALK TO THE END, KILL BOSS, LEAVE" and involve puzzles. Also the music is better.

Also Lufia 2 had way better tear jerking scenes than FFIV even if you knew it was doomed to happen. Something about it being doomed adds to the effect. I knew what would happen, but I didn't want it to and sort of hoped it wouldn't.

edited 3rd Dec '10 2:16:01 PM by Aondeug

I like FFIV's music better than any other game. Into the Darkness is among my favorite songs, period, and the boss battle music is the best of its kind.