Square-Enix has released a full 3D remake of Final Fantasy IV: The After Years for iOS devices, bringing its 2008 title to Apple's mobile platform for the first time. The game has players control various characters from the Final Fantasy IV universe in ten tales, with the game's original “Active Time Battle“ and “Band Abilities“ gameplay mechanics also intact. The remake of the game also includes Game Center support with achievements, as well as widescreen support on the iPhone 5, iPhone 5s, and iPhone 5c.

finalfantasyiv_theafteryearsios

With a full 3-D remake, FINAL FANTASY IV: THE AFTER YEARS can now be played as never before. Take part in the epic sequel that unfolds nearly two decades after the events of FINAL FANTASY IV. Classic characters make their return alongside several new heroes, such as Ceodore, son of Cecil and Rosa.

Our sister site TouchArcade also wrote a review of the title, stating that while the game's graphics are visually appealing, the lackluster episodic nature and repetitive “grinding“ throughout gameplay constrain it from establishing itself as a high quality entry of the series on iOS.

Notably, an interview with longtime Square-Enix producer Takashi Tokita last month also mentioned that Final Fantasy VI would be coming to iOS devices this Fall, with Tokita himself teasing a potential release of the mega-popular Final Fantasy VII for mobile devices sometime in the future. However, the producer later clarified his comments about a potential Final Fantasy VII mobile release in an interview five days later, stating that the game's appearance on iOS devices is “years away“ because of the space limitations on the platform.

Final Fantasy IV: The After Years is available on iOS devices for $15.99 and can be downloaded through the App Store. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

joshdammit Avatar
143 months ago
An iOS app has a max of 2GB. As FF7 was 4 CD's, each 750MB, that would result in Square to remove 1/3 of the game. Even with modern compression techniques, I don't think that is feasible.

I don't think that you know what you're talking about.

For starters, the original game was 3 CD's, not 4. Also, the majority of the content on each disc was exactly the same, just with different events, videos and any areas and foes relevant to that leg of the game.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Xenomorph Avatar
143 months ago
Today, you can't buy an iOS device with less than 16GB.

Ahem,

http://store.apple.com/us/buy-iphone/iphone4s
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Miharu Avatar
143 months ago
Remember that those 3 CDs weren't full of 650 Mb of unique content. Even Resident Evil 2 was on 2 CDs on Playstation but was successfully compressed to a 64 Mb N64 cart.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
acarney Avatar
143 months ago
Seriously?! Space limitations?! I can't help but wonder how much data was used with cut scene videos in what, MPEG1 or AVI format? Using h264 probably would cut down a couple hundred megs right there. I would gladly make room for a 1.4 to 2gig game and I figure any big fan would too!

I would be shocked if with the more advanced technology they couldn't get the game to fit into that kind of size... Probably while also increasing the resolution at the same time...


Edit: I mean infinity blade has grown from 600mb to 1.5gig and it sells crazy well just for the eye candy... Also, I recall iTunes HD movies are pretty large... Guess apple isn't afraid about space limitations...
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
leukotriene Avatar
143 months ago
"Space limitations"? HAH!

FF7 was released on 4 CDs man. ~750 MB each. Square pulled out all stops to release the original *despite* the space limitations of 1997 technology, and despite the inconvenience of switching out CDs between chapters, and despite the manufacturing hassles. All in the name of getting the game out to its fans. 1990s Square would've absolutely released FF7 on iOS.

Today, you can't buy an iOS device with less than 16GB. Hey if you can't make FF7 for iOS in the near future for budgetary, political, manpower issues, etc. at least tell it to us straight.

But hey FF4 and FF4 After Years are both excellent games, glad to see those on the App Store.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
japanime Avatar
143 months ago
Blasphemy! It's "Square Enix" without hyphen "-".
When I started my career at SQEX, that was the very first thing they wanted us to always get right.

It wasn't always "Square Enix," though. Used to just be "Square," until merging with Enix about a decade ago. I've got quite a few vintage (1980s-1990s) FF collectibles that all have the solo "Square" trademark. Those were the heady days of Japanese game development.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone SE 4 Thumb 1

iPhone SE 4 With Apple's Own 5G Modem 'Confirmed' to Launch in March

Tuesday November 19, 2024 12:12 pm PST by
Barclays analyst Tom O'Malley and his colleagues recently traveled to Asia to meet with various electronics manufacturers and suppliers. In a research note this week, outlining key takeaways from the trip, the analysts said they have "confirmed" that a fourth-generation iPhone SE with an Apple-designed 5G modem is slated to launch towards the end of the first quarter next year. In line with previo...
airtag purple

AirTag 2 Rumored to Launch Next Year With These New Features

Sunday November 17, 2024 5:18 am PST by
Apple released the AirTag in April 2021, so it is now three over and a half years old. While the AirTag has not received any hardware updates since then, a new version of the item tracking accessory is rumored to be in development. Below, we recap rumors about a second-generation AirTag. Timing Apple is aiming to release a new AirTag in mid-2025, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman....
at t turbo indicator iphone 16 pro max v0 8hrh7w5f3w1e1

AT&T Turbo Indicator Showing Up in iPhone Status Bar for Subscribers

Wednesday November 20, 2024 3:42 am PST by
AT&T has begun displaying "Turbo" in the iPhone carrier label for customers subscribed to its premium network prioritization service, according to reports on Reddit. The new indicator seems to have started appearing after users updated to iOS 18.1.1, but that could be just coincidence. Image credit: Reddit user No_Highlight7476 The Turbo feature provides enhanced network performance through ...
Generic iOS 18 Feature Real Mock

Apple Releases iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 With Security Fixes

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:10 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1, minor updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating systems that debuted earlier in September. iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 come three weeks after the launch of iOS 18.1. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Apple has also released iOS 17.7.2 for...
Magic Mouse Next to Keyboard

No, Apple CEO Tim Cook Didn't Say He Prefers Logitech's MX Master 3 Over the Magic Mouse

Sunday November 17, 2024 3:03 pm PST by
While the Logitech MX Master 3 is a terrific mouse for the Mac, reports claiming that Apple CEO Tim Cook prefers that mouse over the Magic Mouse are false. The Wall Street Journal last month published an interview with Cook, in which he said he uses every Apple product every day. Soon after, The Verge's Wes Davis attempted to replicate using every Apple product in a single day. During that...
iPhone 17 Slim Feature Single Camera 1 Redux

'iPhone 17 Air' Rumored to Surpass iPhone 6 as Thinnest iPhone Ever

Monday November 18, 2024 1:07 pm PST by
In a research note with Hong Kong-based investment bank Haitong today, obtained by MacRumors, Apple analyst Jeff Pu said he agrees with a recent rumor claiming that the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" will be around 6mm thick. "We agreed with the recent chatter of an 6mm thickness ultra-slim design of the iPhone 17 Slim model," he wrote. If that measurement proves to be accurate, there would be ...
bug security vulnerability issue fix larry

Make Sure to Update: iOS 18.1.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 Fix Actively Exploited Vulnerabilities

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:52 am PST by
The iOS 18.1.1, iPadOS 18.1.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 updates that Apple released today address JavaScriptCore and WebKit vulnerabilities that Apple says have been actively exploited on some devices. With the JavaScriptCore vulnerability, processing maliciously crafted web content could lead to arbitrary code execution. The WebKit vulnerability had the same issue with maliciously crafted...
apple card feature2

Apple Card 3% Daily Cash Back Now Available From Two More Apple Partners

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:36 am PST by
Apple has partnered with select merchants to offer Apple Card users three percent Daily Cash back on their purchases, and two new companies were added to the partner list today. When purchasing goods and services from Booking.com and ChargePoint, Apple Card users will now get more cash back. Booking.com is a site for reserving flights, cars, cruises, and hotels, while ChargePoint sells...