Final Fantasy IV: The After Years follows directly from Final Fantasy IV. It is an episodic role-playing game in the Japanese style.
A new moon approaches the Blue Planet, threatening to kill all life, just as it did seventeen years ago. Simultaneously, a mystery villain resembling Rydia from Final Fantasy IV arises worldwide, leading kingdoms to ruin and subjugating the Eidolons (a secret race of beings who may be called in battle). What exactly does this mean? Because the world requires the combined efforts of the heroes of the past, players will see all of the familiar characters as well as many new ones, including Ceodore, the son of Cecil and Rosa, Yang’s daughter Ursula, Edge’s four ninja apprentices, and many other characters (over 20 unique playable characters in total).
The game incorporates mechanics, assets, and aesthetics from multiple Final Fantasy IV versions (the Wii version has upgraded graphics). The heroes fight random foes as they travel over the world map (albeit the entire area is only accessible in the final Tale, The Crystals), enter towns to rest, acquire equipment, converse with other characters, and visit numerous dungeons for items and monster encounters. The battle system is the same as in Final Fantasy IV but has been improved in various areas. The Final Fantasy IV class system has been mostly retained but altered, and considerable new powers have been introduced to the characters.
The shift of the moon phase is one of the new gameplay features: four moon phases affect battles: for example, during the waning moon phase, the characters’ melee assaults do more damage, but their ranged attack power is reduced. The same can be said for the foes, adding a new strategic element to the gameplay. The moon phase can be modified by staying at an inn (or renting a tent or a cottage), but it can also change naturally over time. Another significant gameplay change is the addition of bands. Bands are the united activities of multiple fighting characters. The bands are eventually unlocked as a result of exploration and specific situations. The bands can be offensive or defensive, and they often consist of two or more characters pooling their skills for one turn to hit an enemy or a group of adversaries with a unique special attack or unleash sophisticated magic spells. Bands consume a set quantity of MP (magic points) from all characters in the band. The disadvantage of bands is that they take time to charge, making the characters vulnerable to attacks.
Because of the episodic nature, this basic game only includes Prologue and the first two Tales (the Japanese mobile version includes Prologue and one Tale, with the other Tale available as a separate download). In contrast, all future Tales must be purchased separately (for mobile phones) or downloaded as DLCs (for WiiWare).
The following stories are featured in the basic game:
The prologue is the return of the Moon (Japanese title – Josh Tsuki no Kikan).
In the prologue, Prince Ceodore, an apprentice in the elite aviation force Red Wings, faces his trial for the Proof of Knighthood.
The Japanese title for Ceodore’s Tale: The Last of the Red Wings is Seodoa Hen Saigo no Akaki Tsubasa.
For most of the story, players will control Ceodore and the enigmatic Hooded Man as they attempt to flee the realm of Baron.
Kain’s Tale: Return of the Dragoon (included in the WiiWare edition only, distributed separately in Japan for mobile phones, Japanese title – Kain Hen Rykishi no Kikan).
Kain descends from Mount Ordeals in this Tale to follow the Mysterious Girl and perform his part in the plot… After completing these Tales, players can explore the optional Challenge Dungeon, which contains more difficult creatures and considerable treasures. The Challenge Dungeon appears to Ceodore and Kain to be a ruined fortress.
The following stories can be purchased separately or downloaded as DLC:
Rydia’s Story
Yang’s Story
Paloma’s Story
The Story of Edge
Prom’s Story
The Story of Edward
The Story of the Lunarians
The Stones
The stories were later combined into a game package for the PSP called Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection.
