Cecil Gets A Voice (Finally)

When I played the SNES version of this game, FF II, I was first amazed at the intriguing storyline, the little romance between Cecil and Rosa and even the notion that the real King of Baron was disposed off long before the game began.

So when the remake of this game came out on the GBA, I played that version too. But later on when I heard that a version for the Nintendo DS (Final Fantasy IV DS) would be out, I was not certain if I wanted to play this game again on a different system.

But since I am right smack in the middle of playing this Nintendo DS version, I must say, I highly recommend it for those who have played the SNES as well as the GBA versions and for those who have not played it at all.

For this Nintendo DS version has features that makes good use of the Nintendo DS system. There are dramatic cut scenes, voice acting in certain areas of the game, fantastic graphics and sound effects, but there is more.

Running into a character known as Namingway changes a range of additions he brings to the game. For example, when you meet Namingway, you have the option of changing Cecil’s name to one you otherwise prefer. Later on, when you encounter him as Mappingway, he introduces an automapping feature.

Once you have, for example, cleared one hundred percent of a dungeon or area map, your character receives unique items like potions, elixirs, etc. But what I found really fascinating is when Recordingway saves certain cut scenes for your later viewing pleasure.

And you can view these cut scenes later by speaking to the giant Chocobo in the back left side of the town of Kaipo. Another interesting feature this DS version has is the Augment one.

Whether a few of the characters who aided you ended up sacrificing themselves for a good cause or they just left your party for whatever reason, they leave a few of their skills behind. Palom and Porom, for example left behind their Twincast ability after sacrificing themselves at Baron Castle.

These augments can be easily identified by their shiny glitter. Step up to the glitter and press A to receive the augment that you can now transfer to a member of your party. Certain bosses you have beaten will sometimes leave augments behind too.

And to find these boss augments, just revisit the area where you fought the boss and walk up to the shiny bit of glitter. The Dark Elf, in the Lodestone Cavern or Metallic Cave for example, leaves the Wind augment behind after you have beaten him.

Speaking of boss battles, a few of them are difficult, granted, and building up your heroes’ levels is one thing you might find yourself doing in order to beat those bosses. And with eight crystals at stake, four from the Light world and four from the Dark one, you are truly in for some epic video gaming.

So come on and join Cecil (Lord Captain) Rosa, Kain, Cid and others as they try to save their world from ruin on Final Fantasy IV for the Nintendo DS. You will be pleasantly surprised you did.

Although this version works well with the Nintendo DS stylus, it can also be played using the D-PAD.

Next up, I can’t wait to play the soon to be released (February 2009) Legacy of Ys Books 1 and II, also for the Nintendo DS.


Final Fantasy IV DS

My Overall Rating: 10 out of 10. (It’s that good and magnificent.)

Rated E For Everyone but mainly for those 10 on up because it contains: Fantasy Violence, Suggestive Themes, Alcohol Reference, Language.