FFIV producer Hiroyuki Miura on bringing The Complete Collection to PSP
'All-inclusive, ultimate version of Final Fantasy IV'
Final Fantasy is arguably the premier franchise when it comes to RPGs, having introduced some of the genre's most widely used concepts.
Since its inception in 1987, the Final Fantasy series has spanned various generations, graced numerous consoles, introduced diverse characters and job systems, and spawned a variety of sequels, spin-offs, and remakes.
Fantasy worlds once at home on consoles now also find refuge on phones, tablets, and portable gaming systems, often with improved visuals, added gameplay, or completely recreated 3D worlds.
We spoke to Final Fantasy IV producer Hiroyuki Miura about bringing Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection to PSP, and the significance of the iOS platform in comparison to other handhelds.
Why did you choose to release an enhanced 2D version of the game instead of the 3D version released on the DS?If we were to develop a 3D version, the remake would be a totally different version in terms of the gameplay sensation, not to mention the graphical style.
Although we could have taken this direction, we decided to take the 2D route, as we wished to present the collection specifically as the ultimate Final Fantasy IV whilst being conscious of the original version.
Why has Final Fantasy IV been released for PSP now, and not alongside the DS version in 2007 for the series's 20th anniversary?It has been 20 years since the original Final Fantasy IV was released in Japan. We made the decision on the release timing as we wanted to release an all-inclusive, ultimate version of Final Fantasy IV in commemoration of the anniversary.
Besides a new chapter Interlude, has anything else been added to Final Fantasy IV?Other than the extra episode, the Challenge Dungeons in The After Years have been retouched for the new version.
Are there plans to release this or any other titles in the series on DS, PSP, or iPhone?Apart from the titles either already released or announced, I would personally like to see more titles in the future.
Given the success Square Enix has had on iOS, do you think this platform is as significant as DS and PSP?The iOS platforms are attractive to us as they have a potential to offer a ground for a variety of fresh ideas. We are trying to set up each project after considering the functions of each platform and the demography of their users.
Do you think that a 2D version of Final Fantasy IV will have aged well enough for it to still be relevant to modern-day gamers?Quite a few years have passed since Final Fantasy IV was first released and many people would have played the title by now. Its sequel, The After Years, on the other hand, is being released as a package title for the first time.
So, with this collection, you can enjoy all the Final Fantasy IV titles in one pack.
Why should players who have played previous versions be tempted by this new edition of the game?For those who have already played both Final Fantasy IV and The After Years, I can recommend the extra episode. They will also enjoy owning the collection as a so-called collector’s item as all the Final Fantasy IV contents are packed into one title.
If you have only played either of the two, this collection will give you a good opportunity to try the other one.
Thanks to Miura-san for his time. Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection for PSP will be released in the US on 19th April and in Europe three days later.