FFIV: The Complete Collection adds a contemporary touch to this epic, implementing enhanced visuals while maintaining its ground-breaking battle system. With updated visuals and plenty of fast-paced combat, this collection breathes fresh life into a rewarding classic.
A graphically updated field map makes navigating the game's extensive world straightforward; dungeons now tower above their local villages, so it's easy to pinpoint your destinations. The game's difficulty is less punishing than its DS counterpart's, but each dungeon remains challenging; under-leveled teammates or weak battle strategies can still mean your doom.
One of the game's big draws is your ability to plow through foes at a breakneck speed using the active-time battle system. Challenging bosses provide more thrills, healing themselves or casting reflect spells to avoid your magical attacks, which forces you to outthink their maneuvers. The plot weaves together individual backstories very well, filling in gaps and explaining mysteries from FFIV. After Years functions similarly to FFIV, using the same battle mechanics while adding two new tactical challenges: moon phases and band abilities. The phase of the moon now impacts combat on Earth, weakening attacks or boosting magic as it changes. Bands--powerful joint abilities spanning several teammates--shake up the action by letting you unveil new skills. It's fun to mix and match characters in combat to search for hidden bands, which pack a helpful punch in boss fights.
One disappointing element of After Years is that it recycles most of FFIV's assets, including dungeons and bosses. Both games are nicely presented on the PSP. FFIV weighs in at more than 30 hours itself, including side quests and optional dungeons imported from the Game Boy Advance version. Dozens of bosses also await you in these bonus areas, as do challenging eidolon fights to test your mettle.
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