LogFAQs > #969302273

I started playing it on the weekend. Playing the GBA one, and I'm hoping that the PSP one has the After Years unlocked from the beginning. That, or that the Steam version goes on sale.

I'm up to The Underground. Cid has taken the airship topside to reinforce the armour, we've fought Golbez for the seventh Dark Crystal, and Rydia has come back to save the day.

I have a thing about RPGs where I want my entire cast as close to being the same level as possible. That's why I like Final Fantasy 5 and 10 - it probably folds into me being a control freak or something, but I want an optimised party with everyone at the same level, blasting at the highest capacity they can. I resurrect dead party members and heal them before the end of fights, I don't like when parties are split up etc. That's one reason why I've had such a hard time cracking into FF6, despite how beloved it is.

Final Fantasy 4 has a heavily rotating cast, and enjoying the game on the merit of its story as well as balancing the need to grind with its old-school sensibilities has given me a different flavour than I'm used to with RPGs. My current party is pretty well-balanced despite all the chopping and changing, and I've honestly really bought into the story.

So far, my favorite moments have been the entire gameplay segment of Cecil washing up on-site and becoming a Paladin, Tellah using Meteor on Golbez, Cecil gaining Rydia's trust before she falls overboard, Edward helping the party weaken the Dark Elf and Rydia coming back to save the day against Golbez in the Underground. For the most part, I've really enjoyed all of the story beats. I'm invested in the characters and I have like an involved narration happening in my mind, I'm just really enjoying myself.

It's showing its age, but I think it's well-structured from point A to point B. Like gameplay-wise, 5 blows it out of the water. I would also bet that later games really expand in the story department as well. 7, 9 and 10 have good stories, but I'm not sure right now the exact ways they take it over the top in a way that 4's story doesn't - I'll know when the game's over. Weakest link so far is how sparse the weapons and armor are.

The most interesting aspect of the world so far is the Land of Summons, imo. Rydia emerging from the realm as a woman/older teenager is kind of a captivating plot detail, she's spent years training her magic and becoming a summoner but for Cecil and co it's been like three weeks. Rydia's entrance is easily an 8/10 story moment for me.

Next up is the Tower of Babylon, and I hear that somewhere along the way there's a wall boss who's gonna beat my ass. Anyone got some grinding tips, or some advice on getting better gear? I already did the Eplan Castle or whatever before I went underground, and I got some fire mail for Kain as well as the Blood Lance. Team is averaging level 25.