Final Fantasy IV the After: Tsuki no Kikan
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| Final Fantasy IV the After: Return of the Moon |
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 The Final Fantasy IV the After logo, by Yoshitaka Amano |
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| Developer(s) | Square Enix |
| Publisher(s) | Square Enix |
| Designer(s) | Takashi Tokita (executive producer) Yoshitaka Amano (image illustrator) Akira Oguro (character designer) Kazuko Shibuya (sprite artist) Nobuo Uematsu (composer) |
| Series | Final Fantasy Final Fantasy IV |
| Platform(s) | NTT DoCoMo FOMA p903i series mobile phones, au WIN BREW series mobile phones |
| Release date | DoCoMo: JP February 18, 2008 au: JP May 15, 2008 |
| Genre(s) | Console role-playing |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
Final Fantasy IV the After: Tsuki no Kikan (ファイナルファンタジーIV ジ・アフター -月の帰還- Fainaru Fantajī Fō Ji Afutā -Tsuki no Kikan-?, Final Fantasy IV the After: Return of the Moon) is a Japanese role-playing game being developed and published by Square Enix for mobile phones, and is the sequel to Final Fantasy IV. The first two chapters of the game were released in Japan in February 2008 for NTT DoCoMo FOMA 903i series phones, with a release for au WIN BREW compatible phones slated for May 2008.[1] The story will be released in monthly installments, the first of which will be free to download, while the following chapters will be distributed via subscription.[2] A preview of the first chapter was playable at Jump Festa 2008.
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[edit] Gameplay
Final Fantasy IV the After will utilize most of the gameplay features of Final Fantasy IV, including random encounters and the Active Time Battle (ATB) system, which it originally popularized. It will also retain a number of the graphical enhancements from the Wonderswan Color and Game Boy Advance versions of Final Fantasy IV, while further improving the quality of the character sprites to a level comparable with those of Final Fantasy VI.[3]
The battle system uses a new feature called the "Age of the Moon" (月齢 Getsurei?), which reflects the game's lunar phases, which change as players rest at inns, with each of the phases altering physical and magical attack powers for both player characters and enemies. Certain rare monsters will also only appear during certain lunar phases.[4]
The game will also introduce a new type of combination attack through the "Band System" (バンドシステム Bando Shisutemu?), known as a "Band" (バンド Bando?) ability. Similar to the Double and Triple Techs of Chrono Trigger, these allow two or more characters to coordinate separate commands into a single new attack at the cost of MP from all involved. Band abilities are said to be extremely powerful, and there will be over 50 different Band abilities in all.[4]
[edit] Plot
Following the events of the original Final Fantasy IV, the second moon leaves the Blue Planet's orbit and there is a period of peace as Damcyan, Eblan, and the Village of Mist are rebuilt, while the kingdom of Baron come under the rule of Cecil and his wife, Rosa. However, 17 years later, the second moon has reappeared in the sky, much closer to the planet than it was years ago, and the unchanging Crystals begin to emit a soft light; however, the meaning behind these events remains unknown.[2]
The game revolves around Ceodore (セオドア Seodoa?),[3] a young man who is the first son of Cecil Harvey and Rosa Farrell, two of the protagonists from the original, both of whom will be returning along with most of the other main cast members.[3] A screenshot has also depicted Ceodore fighting alongside a man enshrouded in robes, known only as the "Mysterious Man" (謎の男 Nazo no Otoko?), who appears to be extremely familiar with the incidents that occurred during the original game and is searching for a certain man.[2]
The demo showcased at Jump Festa 2008, though following a slightly different plot from the actual chapters, introduced a female antagonist with blue hair and clothing, known as the "Mysterious Maiden (謎の処女 Nazo no Shojo?),[4] attacking Baron castle with several monsters, while Cecil, Rosa, and Ceodore defended it. Rydia also arrived to help, as did the Mysterious Man, who joined the party after protecting a number of soldiers outside of the castle.[5]
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[edit] Characters
Several new characters will appear in Final Fantasy IV the After, along with many returning members of the original cast, now seventeen years older. Chapters revolving around each of the original characters are slated to be released each month, and producer Takashi Tokita has stated that emphasis will be placed on Ceodore's own opinions and impressions of the characters as he meets them for the first time.[2]
[edit] Ceodore
A young man and the son of Cecil and Rosa, Ceodore is the protagonist of the game, and the prince of the kingdom of Baron; he struggles with the obligations of being the heir to a sacred bloodline.[2] Shortly after enlisting with the Red Wings, Baron's airship fleet, and obtaining the title of "Knight", he witnesses the reappearance of the Lunarian moon on his first expedition.[4] When the fleet comes under attack from the Mysterious Maiden, he's left as the sole survivor of the Red Wings, and later joins his father in defending the castle while Baron is under siege.[6]
[edit] Biggs and Wedge
- Further information: Biggs and Wedge
Two members of the Red Wings who accompany Prince Ceodore on his first mission with the fleet. It is revealed that they were present when Cecil first attacked Mysidia, and were the soldiers who questioned his actions. They perish while protecting Ceodore from an assault lead by the Mysterious Maiden, in which all of the other members of the fleet are killed.[7]
[edit] Mysterious Man
A wandering swordsman covered in robes who claims to have cast aside his name long ago, who reveals that he is searching for Kain.[4] Little is known of him, or his goals, however he comes to the aid of Ceodore after the destruction of the Red Wings, and also joins Cecil in defending Baron during the assault, rescuing several soldiers outside of the castle in the process.[5]
[edit] Mysterious Maiden
A mysterious woman with blue hair and clothing who possesses powerful magic and the ability to call summoned creatures. She decimates the Red Wings, leaving Ceodore as the only survivor, and later enters the Land of Summons where she turns Leviathan and Ashura to stone, stating that she has come for their powers, before leading an assault against the Kingdom of Baron.[6] In the Jump Festa demo, she refuses to tell Cecil her name, stating that members of an inferior species don't deserve to know it.[5]
[edit] Black-Clothed Man
The Black-Clothed Man (黒衣の男 Kokui no Otoko?) is a gray-haired man dressed in a black mantle who defends Rydia and Luca from Titan, which had attacked them upon being summoned. After easily defeating Titan, he urges Rydia and Luca to travel with him to the Tower of Babel, commenting that the events of the past are being repeated, though Rydia does not recognize him.[8][9]
[edit] Ursula
Ursula (アーシュラ Āshura?) is Yang's only daughter and the first princess of the Kingdom of Fabul. She was brought up watching her father's form and training, and has yearned for such strength since she was a young girl. However, she is irritated by her father, who refuses to give her lessons. The heart of her strength comes from her mother, the queen.[10]
[edit] Leonora
Leonora (レオノーラ Reonōra?) is an apprentice priestess determined to become a Priestess of Troia. She is a humble and quiet young lady. She is learning magic from Palom through consistent training in the Tower of Knowledge.[10]
[edit] Gekkou
Gekkou (ゲッコウ Gekkō?) is the stalwart leader of the Eblan Four, and is known as "Gekkou of Fire". He is a warm-hearted, honorable man of few words.[10] His name literally means "moonlight" (月光 gekkō?).
[edit] Zangetsu
Zangetsu (ザンゲツ?) is one of the Eblan Four, and is known as "Zangetsu of Thunder". An elderly man with aspirations of becoming a shinobi, despite being a late bloomer, and admires Edge, who looks young enough to be his son, as his master.[10] His name literally means "morning moon" (残月 zangetsu?).
[edit] Izayoi
Izayoi (イザヨイ?) is one of the Eblan Four, and is known as "Izayoi of Water". A kunoichi who always views battle in a calm and collected manner. At times, she is known to make use of her other fascinating assets...[10] Her name literally means "sixteen-day-old moon" (十六夜 izayoi?).
[edit] Tsukinowa
Tsukinowa (ツキノワ?) is one of the Eblan Four, and is known as "Tsukinowa of Wind". A ninja boy whose skill would put an adult to shame. He's as quick-witted and agile as the wind, just as his alias implies.[10] His name literally means "moon halo" (月の輪 tsukinowa?).
[edit] Returning characters
- Cecil - A Paladin who has inherited the blood of the Lunarians. He governs the large Kingdom of Baron and the surrounding region as king, and is greatly loved by both his soldiers and his people.[10]
- Rosa - The Queen of the Kingdom of Baron and a White Mage. She is a beloved queen and supports Cecil from the shadows. She's worried about Ceodore, who is going through an emotional age.[10]
- Cain (Kain in English versions of Final Fantasy IV) - A former Dragon Knight of the Kingdom of Baron. He secluded himself at Mt. Ordeals in order to overcome his mental weaknesses, and there has been no word of his whereabouts since.[10]
- Rydia - A Summoner from the village of Mist. Her second home is the Land of Summons, though Queen Asura decided that she should live with her fellow humans, and she now endeavors to rebuild Mist with the cooperation of Cecil and others.[10]
- Edge - The inheritor of his parents' dying wish, to revive the ruins of Eblan castle. His people place great confidence in him, and he rules as the kind-hearted king of Eblan. He's also making efforts to aid in the reconstruction of Mist.[10]
- Cid - The Airship Engineer for Baron. Though his beard has become white, he refuses to retire and continues to show his extraordinary skills on the job. He understands Cecil's expectations, and is something of a substitute grandfather for Ceodore.[10]
- Yang - Taking his place as the King of Fabul, he upholds the teachings of the royal dynasty and leads the people of Fabul. His training as a monk remains unchanged, and he hasn't neglected his personal discipline. His only desire is to be able to gently raise his only daughter, Ursula. As usual, his wife, the Queen, has no qualms about whacking him over the head with a frying pan.[10]
- Gilbart (Edward in English versions of Final Fantasy IV) - He is the beloved king of Damcyan. It is thanks to his singing voice that the struggles he faced with Cecil and the others became known the world over. With the cooperation of Baron, he maintains the balance of the worldwide economy. In the moonlit night, he reminisces about his departed love and his late father while playing the lute.[10]
- Palom - Greatly admiring the Great Sage Tella (Tellah in English versions of Final Fantasy IV), who passed away, he aspires to become a Great Sage as well. Now grown, he harbors resentment towards the elders of Mysidia and his elder twin sister, Porom, who still preach to him as if he were a child. He wishes to leave the rigid Mysidia in order to travel all over in the pursuit of knowledge as a sage.[10]
- Porom - Having reached adulthood, she now supports the aging elders and protects the magical laws of Mysidia. She has also obtained the trust of the Mysidian Black Mages. Palom's recent rebellion has her at a loss.[10]
- Luca - The only daughter of Giott, the King of Dwarves. She was impressed by Cid, and now studies engineering as his apprentice. She has mastered the skills of Airship steering and maintenance. She yearns for the surface world, and frequently travels back there to visit.[10]
[edit] Development
First announced shortly before the release of the enhanced remake of Final Fantasy IV for the Nintendo DS, executive producer Takashi Tokita stated that while directing the remake, there was talk of creating an after story, as well as discussion about working on a new mobile title. Tokita, who had grown attached to the characters, having also previously worked as scenario writer for the original, decided that releasing the sequel in mobile format would be a good idea, as it would allow players to access the game only a short while after completing the DS remake. By releasing it in episodic format, he also hopes that players will anticipate future chapters in much the same way as an anime or manga series, rather than tiring of the game after completing it all at once.[11]
Though the look and feel of the game has remained largely unchanged from that of the original Final Fantasy IV, new gameplay elements have been incorporated, and Kazuko Shibuya, 2D sprite artist for the first six Final Fantasy games, has returned to create new, higher quality character graphics. Yoshitaka Amano has also returned as image illustrator, with character designs by Akira Ogura, a previous colleague of Tokita's and storyboard artist for Square Enix. Much of Nobuo Uematsu's original musical score for Final Fantasy IV will be included, though new compositions are also expected.[12]
[edit] References
- ^ Marcos, Antoine (2007-12-13). Final Fantasy IV The After on mobile. Retrieved on 2007-12-13.
- ^ a b c d e Famitsu.com (2007/12/21). A new tale about the moon is spun on mobile phones "Final Fantasy IV the After: Tsuki no Kikan" [Interview and Pictures]. Retrieved on 2007-12-21.
- ^ a b c V-Jump Magazine, February 2008 Issue
- ^ a b c d e Famitsu Magazine, March 2008 Issue
- ^ a b c [1] FF&KH Information Warehouse blog summary of the Jump Festa 2008 demo
- ^ a b Prologue: "Return of the Moon"
- ^ Ceodore Chapter: "The Last Red Wing"
- ^ Rydia Chapter: "The Imprisoned Summons"
- ^ Game Watch (2008-03-17). Square Enix, Rydia Chapter: "The Imprisoned Summons" Released for iMode "Final Fantasy IV the After: Tsuki no Kikan". Retrieved on 2008-03-27.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Official website
- ^ Famitsu.com (2007/12/28). Takashi Tokita Talks Final Fantasy IV the After: Return of the Moon. Retrieved on 2008-03-20.
- ^ Yoshi Sato (1up.com) (2007/12/19). More Details on Final Fantasy IV's Sequel. Retrieved on 2008-03-20.
[edit] External links
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