KnockBack, Episode 16: Final Fantasy IV
Added 2018-05-31 16:00:59 +0000 UTCIn 1991, Final Fantasy IV came to SNES (we initially knew it as Final Fantasy II in the west), and it changed entirely our expectations of what a role-playing game could be. With a dire, multi-dimensional story, a diverse cast of interesting characters, a stunning soundtrack, and a serious gameplay hook, Final Fantasy IV burrowed its way into gamers' hearts and minds the world over, and 27 years later, it's as beloved as ever. So let's dedicate a solid 100 minutes to chatting about one of the great JRPGs of all-time, how we discovered it, what it meant to us at the time, and what it still means to us today.
Comments
The mobile versions of the classic Final Fantasy games are supposed to be awful. You're playing XI on PS4, or IX?
Colin Moriarty
2019-01-08 23:10:20 +0000 UTCAwesome to hear. I hope you enjoy(ed)!
Colin Moriarty
2019-01-08 23:09:56 +0000 UTCSUPER late to this, but I am one of those assholes who never played IV until it was DS and thought it was good, but hearing you both talk about the richness of the SNES version really has me feeling like I missed out! I also never played VI until it was Android and really struggled to see what everyone found to be so special about the game... I should probably find versions of these games that much more faithful their original releases, play them, and report. Playing XI on ps4, what's the verdict on that? should I dust off my PS1 and play it on their instead?
Toren R. (KESA)
2018-08-06 15:24:23 +0000 UTCI've become a more patient gamer as I have gotten older and am now dipping my toes into good ol turn based RPGs. This and VI are now absolutely on my list to play next. Thank you guys
Brock Thomas Walsh
2018-06-08 18:47:22 +0000 UTCGlad you agree. It just wasn't right. Maybe if that's how we experienced the game originally, but it wasn't, so... gotta remain true in some way.
Colin Moriarty
2018-06-07 19:51:43 +0000 UTC100% agree with that terrible looking DS port and it's 3d art. I remember getting this game when I was still pretty young after loving the FF I had played up to that point (Sunsoft lol on gameboy color, GBA re-releases) and I couldn't finish the game. It felt fake with that art style, and just didn't have the charm. Hearing you two describe it makes me want to go back and play the original or PSP port, cause the story/characters sound awesome. I hope now we're past those awkward 3D remakes
Derek
2018-06-07 11:27:24 +0000 UTCI hope you enjoy!
Colin Moriarty
2018-06-06 17:44:43 +0000 UTCI’ve been waiting for years to hear you talk about this game. This was my first and favorite Final Fantasy (I do feel 6 is the best one though). Can’t wait to listen.
Daniel Navarro
2018-06-06 16:10:51 +0000 UTCI won't argue with that, even if I don't agree. It's close, for sure.
Colin Moriarty
2018-06-06 03:24:45 +0000 UTCI agree. =)
Colin Moriarty
2018-06-06 03:24:35 +0000 UTCGo play!
Colin Moriarty
2018-06-06 03:24:27 +0000 UTCYou're very welcome. I'm glad to hear that you found that useful.
Colin Moriarty
2018-06-06 03:24:19 +0000 UTCRoger that. I agree; the PSP version is wonderful.
Colin Moriarty
2018-06-06 03:24:07 +0000 UTCThank you! I'm most certain we will.
Colin Moriarty
2018-06-06 03:23:27 +0000 UTCMaybe once they roll Virtual Console out, you'll gain access to IV and VI in II and III SNES format.
Colin Moriarty
2018-06-06 03:23:19 +0000 UTCiOS port I have no experience with... the PSP port is great, though.
Colin Moriarty
2018-06-06 03:22:57 +0000 UTCI actually agree with Dagan I like Final Fantasy IV more then VI. Great podcast can't wait for more JRPG talk!
strawhatninja
2018-06-04 19:19:30 +0000 UTCDagan is so fucking cool dude holy shit
Cole Simper
2018-06-04 17:55:13 +0000 UTCI've only ever played VI and VII, so I didn't have any knowledge of IV coming in, but I really loved this episode. I didn't have to have my own experiences with it to hear how important it was to you guys, and that was really awesome to listen to. God damn, KnockBack is so good.
Ian (616Entertainment)
2018-06-03 17:50:47 +0000 UTCThanks for giving us a rundown of all the versions of this game that we can play in the end! I really appreciated that after this podcast got me interested.
John Quinn
2018-06-02 23:52:50 +0000 UTCThe PSP version is for me the definitive version. A perfect 2D remake, not all games have to be remade in to 3D. I think FF4 PSP is a great example how to make a game better without loosing the original 2D feeling. I’ve played the 3D version but it does not feel the same.
Philip Andersen
2018-06-02 12:25:10 +0000 UTCThis was fascinating. I hope y’all do episodes on VI, VII and IX in the future. 🙂
Michael Miller
2018-06-02 02:28:16 +0000 UTCawesome episode guys. i missed out on the big 5 SNES rpgs because of my age and I've never had a system to play them on but its something i want so bad! do you think theres any way atlas 4 and 6 come to Switch?
Chad Lewis
2018-06-02 02:20:27 +0000 UTCJust finished! WOW. Great episode! What are your opinions on the iOS port and the PSP port (that can be played on the Vita!) ?
Jorge Pal
2018-06-02 01:47:26 +0000 UTCI've never played the iOS ports, but I've not heard good things. Indy KB soon!
Colin Moriarty
2018-06-01 18:14:43 +0000 UTCCool! Btw purchased FFIV and VI for gba based you and your brother’s recommendation. How do you feel about the iOS versions of the FF series? Also my wife’s fav Indy is also Temple of Doom.
Blair Sutton
2018-06-01 17:16:43 +0000 UTCIt's funny, because I've said this before, and I think it's a minority position, but alas: I don't really tune-in to the music of today's games nearly as much as older games, because it's just not in the forefront, y'know? That said, there are some amazing soundtracks out there for modern games (you named some). It's just not as important a feature for me as back in the day.
Colin Moriarty
2018-06-01 16:27:41 +0000 UTCYou won't regret it.
Colin Moriarty
2018-06-01 16:26:47 +0000 UTCGlad to hear you're playing and enjoying. Thanks for listening!
Colin Moriarty
2018-06-01 16:26:40 +0000 UTCNope! I just rearranged the shows. It goes up in a week or two, I think.
Colin Moriarty
2018-06-01 16:26:25 +0000 UTCAnother fantastic episode Colin, i've never played FF II/IV or any other 2D FF, but this episode has me really stoked to play III/VI on my SNES Classic. After your comment about the music in later generation games, I started thinking about PS2/PS3 games where the music/soundtrack really spoke to me, and were really integral to the experience. The Last of Us for sure, I listen to the soundtrack at least once a week. Bioshock Infinite, the song that plays when you get to the welcome center in Columbia, is one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring moments in gaming, not to mention the scene with Elizabeth playing the guitar. And Snake Eater was really excellent too, especially the final fight, the music just adds to the sadness and finality of the events.
Bryan Finck
2018-06-01 13:11:39 +0000 UTCOkay, you guys sold me. I just dropped the hammer on the FFIV complete edition on vita!
Jason Stafford
2018-06-01 12:56:33 +0000 UTCI'm playing this for the first timenow! I around the magnetic cave to get the earth crystal. Just grinding to get my level up. Another great episode from you both! Thank you so much!!
Tom Reder
2018-06-01 05:11:11 +0000 UTCCurious: did I miss the Indiana Jones podcast? At the beginning of this episode you mentioned it being the last of season 2.
Blair Sutton
2018-06-01 02:21:28 +0000 UTCIt's awesome. Reviewed it at IGN! Gave it a 9.5, I think.
Colin Moriarty
2018-05-31 20:29:16 +0000 UTCThank you so much!
Colin Moriarty
2018-05-31 20:29:01 +0000 UTC=) =) =)
Colin Moriarty
2018-05-31 20:28:53 +0000 UTCYou guys discussing my favorite game of all time? Yes please.
Keith A. Lewis
2018-05-31 20:14:14 +0000 UTCLiterally have never played a FF game but I enjoy listening to your guys conversations, and the passion you guys have for this franchise. It makes for a great listen.
Marcus Brown
2018-05-31 19:50:55 +0000 UTCI’d like to give a plug for the PSP “Complete Collection” version of FFIV which is absolutely playable on Vita. The art is cleaned up a bit, it’s in 16:9 and it’s not as far removed from the original art as say, the steam version of FFVI.
Marc Boggio
2018-05-31 19:10:37 +0000 UTCI also prefer VI over IV. V is awesome. XIII not so much.
Colin Moriarty
2018-05-31 19:08:48 +0000 UTCVery cool that you got to experience it after the series already transitioned deep into 3D. Provides an interesting perspective.
Colin Moriarty
2018-05-31 19:08:19 +0000 UTCThis parallels what Dagan says on the show; who knew this genre could be so immersive and fun? It really is a special game. There's no doubt about it.
Colin Moriarty
2018-05-31 19:06:52 +0000 UTCPush comes to shove, I lean toward FFVI, but IV and VI are to me, clearly the best of the series. Granted that’s out of the ones I’ve played, which admittedly excludes the 3 NES games, V and XIII which I thought looked awful. I also didn’t ever mess around with the MMOs, I like my RPGs finite.
Marc Boggio
2018-05-31 17:26:15 +0000 UTCNice! This game is really important for one of my younger brothers and I. It was probably the first thing we bonded on (he's 5 years younger so I essentially never had time for him growing up and was interested in other things). Besides that, it's a great game, and my first 2D Final Fantasy after I had already played and beaten FFVII and FFVIII. Really looking forward to this one, thanks for all the awesome content Colin and Dagan!
Jon Rodriguez
2018-05-31 16:30:28 +0000 UTCI had seen Dragon Warrior and Final Fantsy when I was younger and didn't get it. I played a decent amount of Phantasy Star II a little later and started to enjoy the style, but Final Fantasy II for SNES (when I was in high school) was where it all clicked and I would be a JRPG fan for life. When did we even REALLY start calling them JRPGs? I don't even know... but that's besides the point. HOLY COWBELLS, what a game! What a special, special game.
Richard Straceski
2018-05-31 16:22:45 +0000 UTC
