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

167 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
167 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
167 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)
167 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)
167 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
167 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

iOS 27 Next to iPhone

Here's When iOS 27 Rolls Out Today in Every Time Zone [Update: It's Out]

Sunday September 13, 2026 3:00 am PDT by
Update 10:04 a.m.: iOS 27 is rolling out now, though it may take a bit for all users to see it, so keep checking! Apple is about to release iOS 27, which will finally deliver more advanced Siri AI capabilities as well as a variety of other refinements, improvements, and new features to iPhones. It's Apple's biggest software update of the year, and Apple announced at Wednesday's iPhone event...
iOS 27 Icon iPhone

iOS 27 Available Now With These 8 New Features

Monday September 14, 2026 9:00 am PDT by
Update — 10 a.m. Pacific Time: Apple has released iOS 27. During its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo event last week, Apple announced that iOS 27 will be released widely on Monday, September 14. iOS 27 should be available around 10 a.m. Pacific Time / 1 p.m. Eastern Time today via the Settings app, under General → Software Update. Below, we have highlighted eight new features and...
Apple iCloud Plus expansion hero

iCloud+ Now Includes Apple TV, Apple Arcade, and Curated Apple Music Stations in Over 100 Countries

Tuesday September 15, 2026 1:43 am PDT by
Apple today announced a new subscription initiative that turns paid iCloud+ subscriptions into a broader services bundle in more than 100 countries. In select countries, Apple says every paid iCloud+ plan, including the cheapest 50GB tier, now includes Apple TV and Apple Arcade "at no additional cost," while family sharing extends the storage, TV and Arcade access to up to five people....