These wizards got here from the moon earlier than it was cool

In the collection’ 35-year-long historical past, Final Fantasy IV stands out as a particular entry. It was the primary recreation to debut on Nintendo’s 16-bit Super Famicom, it launched the Active Time Battle system to shake up the turn-based fight of the sooner video games, and it delivered a cinematic story the likes of which followers had by no means seen earlier than. Is it one of the best Final Fantasy recreation ever made? Some individuals would argue that it’s, and whereas that is true of each Final Fantasy, within the case of IV “some individuals” represents a good portion of the fanbase.

A recreation that beloved would not simply disappear into the moonlight, so when Square Enix regarded to promote video video games to Japanese commuters on their cell phones within the early 2000s, the corporate crafted a sequel referred to as Final Fantasy IV: The After Years. The software program was incompatible with foreign-market fashions, however Square Enix knew Final Fantasy IV had loads of followers world wide, so a localized port made its approach to consoles, and was later bundled with a remake of the sport for PSP and Vita.

Is The After Years one of the best Final Fantasy recreation ever made? You’re welcome to submit that on Twitter if you happen to’re searching for a sizzling take, however our host Nadia Oxford and company Victor Hunter and Ash Paulsen would argue that its significantly better than its status suggests, and that the ports of the once-serialized sequel could have misplaced a few of its thunder within the porting course of.

Description: Oh no, it is Final Fantasy IV: The After Years. Square Enix’s follow-up to Final Fantasy IV is not precisely well-loved, however it casts a bizarre spell over anybody who has the persistence to provide it an excellent strive. Nadia, Victor Hunter, and Ash Paulsen discuss The After Years’ evident weaknesses—and its neglected strengths. There are dozens of them! Dozens!

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Artwork for this episode by Nick Wanserski and enhancing thanks go to Greg Leahy.