Square-Enix Releases 3D Remake of 'Final Fantasy IV: The After Years' for iOS Devices - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Square-Enix Releases 3D Remake of 'Final Fantasy IV: The After Years' for iOS Devices

by

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

165 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
165 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
165 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)
165 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)
165 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
165 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 18 Pro and Pro Max Feature

'Apple Upgrade' Program Reportedly Launching Next Week

Tuesday July 21, 2026 8:30 am PDT by
Apple and Klarna are partnering on a new "Apple Upgrade" leasing program set to launch in the U.S. on Tuesday, July 28, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The program will allow you to finance most iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models, with a 24-month term for iPhones and Apple Watches and a 36-month term for iPads and Macs. Customers will be able to pay off the device early during...
iPhone 18 Pro Deep Red Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching in Two Months With These 12 New Features

Friday July 17, 2026 10:39 am PDT by
It is now mid-July, and that means the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are now just two months away. The devices are expected to look similar to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, but there will still be many year-over-year changes, with rumored features including a smaller Dynamic Island, 5G via satellite, and more. Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, ...
iPhone 18 Pro Deep Red Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching in Two Months With These 12 New Features

Tuesday July 21, 2026 6:22 am PDT by
It is now mid-July, and that means the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are now just two months away. The devices are expected to look similar to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, but there will still be many year-over-year changes, with rumored features including a smaller Dynamic Island, 5G via satellite, and more. Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, ...