As exciting as Skyrim is, I am as equally unexcited about the upcoming
re-re-re-re-re...release of FF IV. Yeah, this is the "Complete Collection" for the PSP. It does include the Wii-only release of The After Years, which may be fun to play through. However, I really don't think I have the patience to sit through random-battle after random-battle after random-battle... but I guess people still like that old style? Myself, I'd far rather play something like the Elder Scrolls, Warcraft (I've yet to play Warcraft III... I know), Diablo, Ys, or FF Tactics. Of course, mostly I sit playing with my research

Yeah, even though I love the game dearly, I'm sick of random battles myself and simply won't buy another game where one can't see the enemy.

And IIRC this is probably a light remake ala the FF Anniversary games (ironic that the DS would be 3d where the PSP 2d?).

i believe there is another bonus scenario included. they will also let you choose between classic and rearranged soundtracks. i've yet to play through the games, so this one will be a definitive day one purchase for me.

the new sprite art is simply lovely!

I'll maybe consider it if they use the US version (Easy Type) or if they include an adjustable difficulty level, because there's no way on God's Green Earth that I'm ever slogging through the hellish JP version again.

I'm surprised this is just now coming up.  I suppose people have finally begun taking these lazy Square Enix remakes as non-news.

Having never played through FFIV I'd be moderately interested if...

1) They implement a system that keeps battles from being tiresome and grinding from being necessary.

2) They produce an arranged soundtrack that's worth hearing.

Given Square's history those are two exceedingly large Ifs.  A quality re-arranged OST a la Ys I&II Chronicles sure would be nice but ain't likely to happen.

I've played through FFIV so many times (and in so many different versions) that this is an easy pass for me. Come on, Square-Enix! Stop releasing cash-ins and make some decent ORIGINAL games for once!

Conversely, FFIV is one of my favorite FF's ever... anytime they remake/add stuff I will be there.  Can't get enough of it.

.

I'll buy it just because it's FF4, and I'm a sucker for FF4.  That said, I will probably wait until it gets a bit cheaper.  $30 isn't a bad launch price at all, but PSP games lose value so quickly that I doubt I'll have to wait long for it to be even cheaper.

Yep.  And that's reason enough for me to take the plunge yet again.  The Elemental Archfiends should look absolutely killer in this one!

I was less than enamored with the DS version, so provided they can bring back the snappy battles that only a 2D-driven FF can offer (and if they can make amends for that infamous 'menu lag' problem that plagued FFIV Advance), I'll be all over this.  Also hoping that FFIV Advance features like being able to retain all of your party members toward the end game will be carried over, as well as the Mt. Ordeals and Lunar Ruins extra dungeons.

I usually try to limit my plunges to 2. But if you're a FFIV fan, I can see why this current plunge (5,6?) might work for you. Of course you might want to wait for the PSP2 version, I heard that the sprites there are going to be orgasmic. Of course the 3DS version will be in 3D, but then again the updated PS4 version will be on the big screen. Why not get them all?

I actually don't think I own ANY version of FF4 (played a ROM of hardtype waaaaaay back when I originally played the game over a decade ago), so it's looking like this will be my time to finally pick it up!

Honestly, I tried playing FFIV a few times since I played it as a wee lad, and I could never get more than a few hours into it before saying "forget it"! Those random battles are just too obnoxious.

So I grabbed the PSN release of Complete Collection last night, and I made it past Octomammoth.  Some quick observations:

The game runs at a LIGHTNING fast clip.  I don't just mean load times, which, at least running off of the memory stick, is non-existent.  Menus open up instantaneously and the battle speed (even on 3 of 5) is super-streamlined.  Thankfully, none of the menu lagging and off-timed battle glitches that plagued the GBA port are evident here.  There's also a 'Memory' feature that remembers what menu commands you chose last, something that was sorely missed from the DS version.  In short, it all feels as zippy as the 16-bit entries used to play - maybe even faster than FFV!

The graphics look amazingly sleek.  It's a treat to see these iconic enemies and bosses reincarnated into new, HD sprites.  Their look is faithful, but they look bigger, cleaner and more detailed.  I'm particularly impressed by the new overworld map; it adopts that slight three-dimensional perspective that FFVI had, and it certainly livens up the old, flat 2D look that we're so accustomed to.

For those who couldn't hang with the DS version's tough difficulty or even the Japanese difficulty of the original, rejoice, for this one appears to opt for an Easy Mode mentality.  In fact, some are calling it even EASIER.  I can't make the call yet myself, but enemies do appear to put up much less of a resistance between turns, and Rydia never went into 'Danger' status, even during this early part of the game.  Frankly, this breezier difficulty is a refreshing change of pace from the nuts-crusher that was the DS version.

The "arranged" music, regrettably, was taken straight from the DS version's soundtrack.  On the plus side, there's none of the compression that you'd hear from playing the DS version, so it is closer to CD quality than before.  For the purists, you have the option to play with the original SNES soundtrack.  I am miffed that they've opted not to allow the overworld/dungeon themes to pick up exactly where they leave off after battle.  The DS version managed to remedy this problem, but they've fallen back to old habits..... and with the encounter rate being just as high as the original, there's no way you'll hear said themes all the way through without simply standing still.

The DS version was hard?  I never had any problems with it...  I'm bummed out tho, stoopid Canada FFIV release has been delayed to at least April 30th...  I really wanted to start playing it this long weekend. 

That right there is one reason why I have no desire to play this game (random battles = yawn). Although I admit it would be fun or at least interesting to play the second chapter or whatever it is of FFIV (the one that was released on the PSN, or was it Wii?) Anyway, that would be fun, but not if every step you take, you get into a battle! But maybe they'll remedy this when it's released on the PSP2, or perhaps the special Wii version, or maybe the 3DS version...

Thanks, Angie, that's all I needed to know!
Will be picking this up now.

I've always loved everything about FFIV EXCEPT actually playing it >_<

Well the stars must have aligned or something because i got the call that my pre-order was in 15 min before the Gamestop closed - i still happened to be at work late and just finished so I jetted over and got it.  eeeeeeee  I could level grind forever in this game.

I used my $20 Amazon credit from Portal 2 to bring this down to $10.  My UMD copy came yesterday, but I haven't had time to check it out yet.

About to tackle Rubicante at the Tower of Babil.  Some of the graphical battle and magic effects in this game are downright dazzling.  I especially love when the Archfiends take to their respective elements, like when Cagnazzo puts up his tidal wave shield, or when Barbariccia goes into her whirlwind form.  And it's a sight to behold when Tellah finally summons Meteor.

I'd forgotten how much of an art it was to level grind in this game.  It's made especially fun once you learn how to use the new "Auto" feature in the right places.  I leveled up so quickly with Cecil alone at the Dark Elf's Loadstone Cavern -- and later again at the Tower of Zot.  Now everyone who joins my party is already at ridiculously high levels.

I almost picked this up today. The problem is that I've played through FFIV so much since its' release that I'm not sure buying it again for like the fifth goddamn time in as many years is a particularly wise investment. I think I'll pass. Maybe wait until the (hopefully inevitable) remakes of FFV and VI hit. Never actually made it very far in the former, to be honest.

Finally closed the lid on the main quest, including the entirety of The Lunar Ruins and the defeat of Brachioraidos.  The PSP version is easily the best remake of Final Fantasy IV around.  I would flip if they gave FFV and FFVI similar treatment.

Time to start up on "Interlude"!

heh I actually also finished up last night as well on the main quest.  Started up Interlude last night - one thing that always boggles the mind with these things is - why do they depower the characters and take away your ultimate equipment?  This stuff should transfer over.  It's not like the stuff went anywhere - I want my level 99 characters back and all their things...

Plus I also missed Prof. Lugae in my bestiary so I'm stuck at 99% completion unless I want to do it all over again just for that.

Well finished up Interlude last night... while it was a nice romp around some old dungeons there really wasn't much point to this.  It only lasts a few hours really depending on how much money you want to scare up for equipment and items and how bad you want to level grind to make things easier on you.  (Trap Doors with no Reflect spell available?!?!  aiya!!!  And I only learned Float just in time.)  On to The After Years!  (of which I bought all the chapters on WiiWare, but only managed to get through one chapter on there for some reason... life i guess... lol).