Mentioning sequels around Final Fantasy fans is often a surefire way to induce anxiety. Final Fantasy X-2, Dirge of Cerberus, Advent Children, Revenant Wings; the mainline series has more than a few mediocre sequels under its belt. Adding a bit of genuine quality to the mix is Final Fantasy IV: The After Years, a Wii Ware sequel to one of the franchise’s beloved titles.

The After Years is an unashamedly retro game. Featuring 16-bit graphics and music, both slightly improved and remixed from the 90s, the game feels like it could have stepped right out of the SNES days. This extends to the combat as well. The active time battle system, used by countless RPGs, originated with Final Fantasy IV and it makes a return here, with some modifications. In an attempt to add a bit more depth to an otherwise simple system, Square Enix added in moon phases and the band attacks. Furthering the focus on lunar happenings, the moon phase system changes the effectiveness of certain sorts of battle actions depending on what stage the moon is in. A full moon, for instance, dampens the effectiveness of physical attacks. The phase changes with time and shifts whenever you sleep in an inn, tent or cottage. Band attacks on the other hand, are straightforward groups attacks that can be performed by two or more characters to due heavier damage in exchange for MP.

The usefulness of both additions is questionable. The moon phase idea is interesting but in execution it’s  lacking. Perhaps this will be rectified when the remainder of the game’s episodic content is released but as it is, you are never in a position to choose your own party members. You’ll often find yourself stuck with a party that leans heavily toward physical or magical attacks, and then be at a disadvantage when the moon shifts into an unfortunate phase. Contrastingly, the moon phases are also easily affected by the player. Don’t like the current phase? Go sleep in an inn. Band attacks are nice to have, but veterans of the original game, but are easy to forget about, rendering them a bit pointless.

The best and most flawed part of the game however, comes from its story. Not suffering at all in the shadow of the original, The After Years manages to be a dark and interesting tale without relying on nostalgia. The nostalgia is there, but on its own the game presents an engaging plot, that sadly leaves you hanging.

The biggest problem with The After Years is its episodic nature. The game, originally developed for cell phones, was released bit by bit. The Wii Ware release is coming out in similar fashion. Currently, only two chapters of the game are available -Prologue and Rydia’s Tale- and they leave you wanting so much more. With the game already available in its entirety elsewhere, it would have been smarter to launch the game as a complete entity rather then forcing gamers to wait in frustration to find out what will happen next. It makes the thing a bitch to review, too! What are we supposed to do, wait until they release all the remaining episodes until we look at the thing?

Looking at The After Years in its current incarnation, a few things are clear. Even with just a few episodes available, it’s a must have for Final Fantasy fans. If the remaining episodes manage the same quality as the first two, the full game will be fantastic. Oh, and no matter what he’s doing, Kain kicks ass.

Score: B+