PSP Reboot #16: Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection

So, if you haven't realized by now, Square Enix has a knack for shamelessly bringing back old games on new systems.  In fact, they have just about the whole Final Fantasy Library on Playstation Network for download onto the PSP or PS3.  However, I will NOT be including those in the PSP reboot series because I can just play them on my PS3 where they work much better.  However, it is worth mentioning that the Final Fantasy V download from Playstation Network is fucked up on the PSP.  Sometimes when you try to save your game, the screen fucks up and you can't make heads or tails out of what you're selecting.  All you can do is hope for the best when randomly picking menu items; or memorize what places on the screen you need to be at for each menu.  May I also emphasize that this only happens on the PSP download, NOT the PS3.

Anyways...the one single Final Fantasy game that has been most shamelessly, despicably, and mind-numbingly rehashed is without a doubt Final Fantasy IV.  Originally, the game was released in Japan only for the Super Nintendo (called Super Famicom in Japan).  The game was then re-released in North America as Final Fantasy II because the actual Final Fantasy II and Final Fantasy III were Japanese releases only.  I can see that they didn't want people getting confused and asking what happened to two and three but now you've created a whole new confusion by having two completely different games titled Final Fantasy II.  Fortunately, everyone now recognizes Final Fantasy IV as Final Fantasy IV internationally and only people who were kids at the time and/or are hard-core Final Fantasy fans even realize this confusion exists.  Good save Square...good save *face palm*.

Beyond the original release, Final Fantasy IV has been re-released on the Super Famicon as an easier version,  the Playstation version which was bundled with a re-release of Chrono Trigger, and the Playstation version which was bundled with a compilation with Final Fantasy V and Final Fantasy VI in Japan.  There was also the re-release for Gameboy Advance, Gameboy Micro, The Nintendo DS, and The Wii (download).

And, last but not least, this brings us to the remake for the PSP Final Fantasy IV:  The Complete Collection.

Phew, finally.  Like the re-release for the first Final Fantasy, the game uses clearer menus, an updated art design, and a breathtaking intro cutscene.  However, this game also includes a sequel to the original titled Final Fantasy IV:  The After Years.  This game has only been previously released  on mobile phones in Japan and then, later, downloadable on the Wii.  I like the addition of The After Years.  The story gets broken up into chapters focusing on specific characters and their ordeals.  I like what they did with the story here and they do it without destroying the legacy of the original.  They also include an interlude between the original and the sequel exclusively on Final Fantasy IV:  The Complete Collection.  It's okay.  To me, it seemed more like a marketing ploy to get people to buy the newest remake of the game.

I haven't played the Nintendo DS version which I hear has 3D graphics throughout the whole game.  So, that one might be good too.  However, if you're interested in Final Fantasy at all, I would recommend playing Final Fantasy IV as it is one of the best.  I would actually get it on the PSP as it has the addition of the sequel and the interlude.  But, knowing Square Enix, they may re-release it again in an even more improved form.  Or it may be worse.  Who knows?

Image:  http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4a/FFIV_Complete_Collection.jpg