Final Fantasy IV: The After Years

The main pros of the game

• Nostalgia and Familiarity: Many players appreciated the return of beloved characters and locations from the original *Final Fantasy IV*, which evoked a sense of nostalgia.
• Episodic Storytelling: The game features unique character perspectives and a segmented narrative structure, allowing players to experience different stories and challenges through various characters.
• Music Quality: The soundtrack was generally well-received, with players noting that it includes familiar themes from *FFIV* along with some new compositions.
• Gameplay Mechanics: Some players enjoyed the classic RPG mechanics and the introduction of new elements like "bands" (team attacks) and moon phases that influence combat.

The main cons of the game

• Repetitive Content: A significant number of reviews pointed out that the game rehashes many locations, dungeons, and plot points from the original game, leading to a feeling of redundancy and boredom.
• Grindiness: Players noted that the game requires excessive grinding for levels and items, making progression feel slow and tedious, particularly without the option for cheats or adjustments to ease battles.
• Weak Story and Character Development: Many reviewers felt that the story lacked depth and coherence, with some character arcs being less engaging compared to the original. The episodic nature made it difficult to form attachments to new characters.
• Poor Graphics and Performance: Several users criticized the game's graphics, describing them as outdated and unattractive, especially when compared to the original sprite-based version. Performance issues, such as low frame rates and bugs, were also reported.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Cohesive Storytelling: Players desired a more cohesive narrative that tied the episodic stories together more effectively, rather than feeling disjointed.
• Enhanced Freedom and Exploration: There were calls for greater freedom in exploring the game world, as well as more varied content and quests to engage with.
• Improved Graphics and UI: Many users expressed disappointment with the game's graphical fidelity and user interface, wishing for a more polished presentation, akin to modern RPGs or remakes.
• Voice Acting: The absence of voice acting in key scenes left some players feeling that the game lacked emotional depth and engagement.

Summary

• Overall, while *FINAL FANTASY IV: THE AFTER YEARS* has its merits, particularly for fans of the original game, many players feel it falls short in terms of innovation, storytelling, and overall enjoyment compared to its predecessor.

Summary generated on: November 23, 2025