This or the DS version?

[Serafie1999AD]

Out of the 3D versions, which one do you think is the "definitive" version of Final Fantasy IV? For 2D, it's the PSP version without a doubt, but I'm not sure about 3D. The Steam version has much better graphics and sound, it's moddable, and it has a choice between Normal and Hard difficulty levels, while the DS version has slightly more content (mostly Whyt), two Limit Break abilities, and most of all, the navigation.

In the Steam version, the camera is zoomed in so close on you that you can't see almost anything of the area, for example:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/sbmfj7alqd6oqhf/20170204005340_1.jpg?dl=0
Sure, there is a mini-map, but it takes up the whole screen:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/fe0irfck5o793jj/FF4-2017-02-04_00-58-35-91.bmp?dl=0
In the DS version, the mini-map is shown on the other screen, making navigation much easier.

Anyway, which 3D version of the game do you think is better?

[SlaughterThemAll]

i would say steam version because you can downsample from 4k using gedosato. makes the textures smoother and overall looks better. only downside is there is some minor glitches as a result.

[ShadowLugia250]

I think that the DS version is the better choise. I mean, the Steam/iOS/Android versions are GOOD, but they remove Edward's comments on every song in the game and the gauge that shows how close someone is to leveling up. My biggest issue is the removal of a DS exclusive Summon, Whyt. Whyt is Rydia's first friend and Eidolon she learned how to summon. By playing minigames, you can raise Whyt's stats. You can also customize his face and equip him with any abilities the party knows, save for a few spells, as well as all other summons. Overall, unless you don't want to endure the struggle to obtain a copy of the DS version, I'd pass on the Steam/iOS/Andriod version.

[ShadowLugia250]

Apologies for my.......blunt opinion. I have to be honest, the iOS/Android/Steam version of the game has the graphics at thier best. The intro cutscene is as beutiful as ever, and the newly orchietsrated music sounds like it should've been there in the first place!(of course, hardware limitations made this impossible on a DS) Trust me, it's well worth your money if you don't want to go out of your way to track down a DS copy.

[jvook]

Looking at the two versions, I conclude that the best ways to play the Final Fantasy IV 3D remake are either the emulated version or possibly an actual Nintendo DS or 3DS.

Image comparison of emulated DS version vs. the Steam version: https://imgur.com/gallery/cg1f40I

Pros to steam version
- Better environment textures
- Much better voice quality
- Much better music quality

Negatives to steam version
- Stretched widescreen aspect ratio
- Low-res textures for character models
- Slightly zoomed in
- Ugly fonts and menus (better than the pixel remaster at least!)

Pros to emulating the DS version
- Slightly zoomed out compared to PC
- Includes additional content: Whyt the eidolon, two limit breaks
- Can play touch screen mini-games with mouse (for Whyt)
- Better-looking character models (built-in xBrz texture scaling)
- Built in anti-aliasing
- Attractive pixel font
- Better-organized menus and more useful information shown on screen at once
- On-screen minimap
- Even though aspect ratio is squarish, still shows the same amount on screen as Steam version because Steam is just stretched
- Save states and fast-forward for grinding

Pros to playing on Nintendo DS
- All content included
- Touchscreen controls for Whyt mini-games (more fun and easier to play than with mouse)
- The low resolution screen hides the low-quality textures of the game
- Voices sound better than emulator

[Aegis Runestone]

DS version for sure.
If someone could make a mod to fix the UI and the camera (if possible) for this game instead of it using the ugly mobile UI, it would be better.
But the DS version is just more aesthetically pleasing in terms of the UI. And also for the reasons mentioned by others above.

[Nothing]

It's a tough call, I think it would depend on your own personal situation. For example, I prefer the PC version because I can play it on my 55in TV and it's just nice to be able to play on a big screen. But yeah the zoom is a pain in the ass and I find myself grateful for the map system because otherwise, I'd lose my bearings in even the most familiar of places.

Though I can see how some people who spend more time away from the house would prefer the DS version so they can play it on the go more often. I don't even go out often and I've found myself wishing I could play it on the go.

Plus the only thing I have for a DS is a DS lite which barely has a 2in screen. In fact, I don't even think it does have a 2in screen. So everything's super tiny. Which is definitely something I factored in while considering which version to play.

I've also found the menus in the PC version are a lot more clunky and awkward than they are in the DS version. And the map system is just downright intrusive. It would have been nice to have an option to use a minimap, or at the very least to be able to adjust the opacity of the map if it's going to be overlaid on the entire screen. And yeah, with how zoomed in it is in the PC version, it's pretty well impossible to play without the map. So that's not exactly ideal.

But yeah, long story short, it really depends on your situation and your own personal preferences so it's best to learn what you can about both versions and decide for yourself.

[masternoxx1]

DS version looks awful compared to this one trust me I have it on DS and I have tried it. Also FF3 3d is the same deal.