Hey guys, I'm Philosoma and Final Fantasy IV is my favorite game of all time. It is the only game that I have beaten over 50 times on multiple platforms. It has influenced my life in so many ways that I begin to think that I'm really going overboard in terms of being a fan. I have every single release of FF4/FF2 (NA and Japan), most of the guidebooks, the new FF4 DS figurines, and advertisement posters. I have cell art that has yet to be signed by members of the development team and Yoshitaka Amano and I'm hoping to get a chance this year at the Square Enix event if I can make it down to Tokyo. Living in Japan has really opened my eyes to how popular this game really is - I was blown away when I heard Theme of Love being played in JUSCO. Final Fantasy IV is what made me want to become a translator and artist - because of Ted Woolsey's wild translation and Amano's incredible artwork. My dream is to get into the localization department of Square Enix while doing comics on the side.

As for FF4 here on Giant Bomb - I'm extremely devoted to it. Today, I added Cecil, Rosa, Kain, Edge, and Rydia to the site's character section and I'm going to add everyone else as I go along. I work full time so when it's 5:00pm here it's probably early in the morning whereever you guys are at, so I may or may not be prompt when discussing additions or changes.

FF4 Forever!

Thanks guys, please add me to your friendlist!

Philosoma

FF7>all other FF games in my opinion, nothing beats the awesome that FF7 was!

Sadly I do not agree, as I think Final Fantasy 3(4 in Japan) on the SNES is the best Final Fantasy game ever. 7 takes a close 2nd though, but nothing will ever wow me like 3 did.

Final Fantasy IV is definitely my favorite game in the series, and arguably the breakthrough entry in the series. I think it was the most important game in the series, as it was responsible for introducing the standard gameplay mechanics (ATB) and excellent storytelling the series is known for today. It's definitely one of the most influential Japanese Role Playing Games of all time. The gameplay was revolutionary, the storyline was outstanding and so were the characters. It's one of those games I wish I could experience it for the first time again. I've never played an RPG since that could top its quality.

"Sadly I do not agree, as I think Final Fantasy 3(4 in Japan) on the SNES is the best Final Fantasy game ever. 7 takes a close 2nd though, but nothing will ever wow me like 3 did.
"

Keep up the good work Philosoma. I made some really minor edits to it yesterday. May make some more today if I can think of anything else to add.

I feel that FFVI was the best one in the series, but I've always loved FFIV. I like them nearly the same. I can't wait for the DS remake. I haven't really enjoyed very many Final Fantasy's since VI. VII did nothing for me. Way too easy. I think they kept getting easier with each sequel. FFIV though, that one had a really great challenge to it, and the version I played was dumbed down from the original Japanese one!

Little off topic, but are any old school FF fans into Lost Odyssey? I'm 56 hours into it right now. Just last night I was pondering how similar it is to the old Final Fantasy games. Will be interesting to see how FFXIII compares.

"FF7>all other FF games in my opinion, nothing beats the awesome that FF7 was!
"

4 was definitely great. But I liked 6 and 7 better... though 4 is close behind for me

I played through the GBA version once, but I'm planning to spend a truckload of time with the DS version.

I have never played IV, and I am hoping to pick it up after I leave the office. what are your over all impression of the game what do you like? what do you hate? 

"I have never played IV, and I am hoping to pick it up after I leave the office. what are your over all impression of the game what do you like? what do you hate? "

"Keep up the good work Philosoma. I made some really minor edits to it yesterday. May make some more today if I can think of anything else to add.

I feel that FFVI was the best one in the series, but I've always loved FFIV. I like them nearly the same. I can't wait for the DS remake. I haven't really enjoyed very many Final Fantasy's since VI. VII did nothing for me. Way too easy. I think they kept getting easier with each sequel. FFIV though, that one had a really great challenge to it, and the version I played was dumbed down from the original Japanese one!

Little off topic, but are any old school FF fans into Lost Odyssey? I'm 56 hours into it right now. Just last night I was pondering how similar it is to the old Final Fantasy games. Will be interesting to see how FFXIII compares.
"

I am playing this re-make now, and it's just awesome.

I'll be picking up the remake for the DS this weekend to play.

But, in my opinion FF IX is the best of the franchise.

I wouldn't say FFIV is my favorite game of all time, but it is definitely my favorite Final Fantasy game of all time. Can't wait to pick up my copy of FFIV DS tonight!

Little off topic, but are any old school FF fans into Lost Odyssey? I'm 56 hours into it right now. Just last night I was pondering how similar it is to the old Final Fantasy games. Will be interesting to see how FFXIII compares.

Wow, Lost Odyssey is sounding better and better. I gotta buy that for sure.

@Rex, Yeah, now that you mention it, I do see the similarity to DQVIII. The crafting aspect to the rings was similar.

@Philosoma, You'll definitely like LO if you love FFIV. It was made by Sakaguchi and Uematsu, so the FF vibe should ring clear right away. The only thing a little offsetting is the character design. Some people really didn't like that. I happen to love it (everyone is very expressive, and Seth is awesome), but I can see why some people are turned off by that.

All in all though, it's like a classic FF game made new. Like Rex said, there are aspects in common with past FF games. I'll also throw in that the skill system is similar the way you could equip special abilities on your characters in FFVI. In a nod to the old FF games (at least I assume it's a nod and not the result of lack of imagination), several people have names similar to ones we're familiar with... Kaim, Sed... there's even two kids, siblings, who will remind you of a certain pair of siblings from FFIV...

I'd have to agree, Lost Odyssey will probably be right up your alley. 

Final Fantasy IV is my favorite Final fantasy. Probably because it was my first.

FFVI is a close second, though.

FF VI s my favorite, but IV is pretty damn close. Kain is the shite.