Japanese Final Fantasy II, the first true narrative JRPG with defined characters. The use based stat system stays original.
Your verdict
Category
RPG1 player12+
Description
Epic Square RPG in which Cecil, a dark knight, atones for his crimes and saves the world. Published by Square, released in Japan in 1991. Five-member party with distinct abilities, Active Time Battle combat system, journey from Earth to the Moon and immortal music by Uematsu. Original Japanese version of Final Fantasy IV, a timeless masterpiece.
Final Fantasy IV review
MAX
Art direction
★★★★★
"Iconic"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
MAX
Story
★★★★★
"Masterful"
Finely reworked sprites and settings of deep hues: the epic recovers all the magic of the golden age of the 16-bit RPG. Castles, caverns and lunar skies compose a universe of hushed elegance. This polished art direction carries with grace a tale that has become legendary.
Carried by Nobuo Uematsu's timeless compositions, the entry unfurls a moving lyricism, from the poignant "Theme of Love" to heroic battle themes. Each melody underlines Cecil's chivalric drama with an intact emotion. This pioneering score remains one of the emotional pillars of the JRPG.
Betrayals, sacrifices and a quest for forgiveness mark the odyssey of a dark knight gnawed by guilt. Dramatic ahead of its time, its tale gives every companion real depth and sometimes heartrending farewells. The series' first great melodrama, it keeps an emotional power intact decades later.
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"Pleasant"
Addictiveness
"Obsessive"
Following a brisk plot, fine-tuning your party and then chaining ATB battles sets up an adventure that grabs you with its dramatic momentum. Each chapter unveils a character, a summon or a dungeon, and the urge to know what comes next never fades. The grind stays light; this RPG milestone keeps a remarkable forward pull.
Difficulty
"Balanced"
Lifespan
"Massive"
Embracing Cecil's journey, from the surface to the Moon, unfolds an epic studded with tricky dungeons and fearsome bosses that demand a well-tended party. The real-time ATB combat, the rotating cast of five sharply defined characters and the level grinding for the endgame all stretch the adventure. This saga, full of twists and rising power, demanding and memorable, remains a timeless pillar of 16-bit RPGs.
The original Super Famicom version of Square's FF IV, Japan-exclusive on original cartridge under this name. The Rev 1 fixes several notable bugs and stands as the version scrutinised by purists. The Japanese cart preserves the original unrebalanced difficulty (the Japanese Easy Type being a separate pressing). Intact boxed CIB with cardboard sleeve and illustrated Square manual is valued by completionist Square SFC collectors, and the cote climbs steadily.
Memorable bosses
A dramatic tale carried by the ATB, this adventure punctuates its progress with memorable bosses: the four elemental Archfiends, the enigmatic Golbez and the terrifying Zeromus as a climax. Real-time combat means juggling attack, magic and summons under pressure. Poignant staging and Uematsu's themes give these clashes an intensity that left its mark on the console RPG.
Is Final Fantasy IV still worth playing in 2026?
Final Fantasy IV, also released as Final Fantasy II in the United States, marks the arrival of the Active Time Battle system and of JRPG storytelling truly carried by its cast. Cecil's redemption arc, the gallery of companions and the melodramatic staging still hold up. The Japanese Easy Type version offers a more accessible path. The original US translation is very softened, but the core stays solid. Recommended to any fan of founding JRPG stories.
