Final Fantasy IV

Lore & Background

Final Fantasy IV follows Cecil Harvey, a dark knight and captain of the Red Wings, as he seeks to prevent the sorcerer Golbez from seizing powerful crystals and destroying the world. Cecil is joined by a frequently changing group of allies, including the dragoon Kain Highwind, the white mage Rosa Farrell, and the summoner Rydia. The story takes place on Earth (also known as the World), which has a surface world, an underground world inhabited by dwarves, and an artificial moon where the Lunarians reside. The main antagonist is Zemus, a Lunarian who uses Golbez and Kain to activate the Giant of Babil to destroy humanity.

Reader's Guide

Final Fantasy IV is significant for pioneering features that became standard in console role-playing games. Its Active Time Battle system, which allowed real-time input during battles, was used in five subsequent Final Fantasy games. The game also introduced a fixed character class system, where each character's role is unchangeable except at specific story points. The game's dramatic storytelling, graphics utilizing the Super NES's Mode 7 technology, and soundtrack were widely praised. Final Fantasy IV has been ported to many platforms, including a 3D remake for the Nintendo DS in 2007, and was re-released as part of the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series in 2021. The various incarnations have sold over four million copies worldwide. A sequel, Final Fantasy IV: The After Years, was released in 2008 for Japanese mobile phones and later worldwide via the Wii Shop Channel.

Did You Know?

• Final Fantasy IV was titled Final Fantasy II in its initial North American release because the actual II and III had not been released outside Japan at the time.
• The game introduced the Active Time Battle system, which was used in five subsequent Final Fantasy games.
• Final Fantasy IV was the first game in the series to allow the player to control up to five characters in their party.
• A 3D remake of the game was released for the Nintendo DS in 2007.