Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light Image
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71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 49 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 127 Ratings

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  • Summary: With FINAL FANTASY: THE 4 HEROES OF LIGHT, the FINAL FANTASY series is rendered anew as an epic storybook adventure by the creators of the FINAL FANTASY III and FINAL FANTASY IV Nintendo DS remakes. Players will enter a beautiful fairy-tale world featuring illustrations and character designsWith FINAL FANTASY: THE 4 HEROES OF LIGHT, the FINAL FANTASY series is rendered anew as an epic storybook adventure by the creators of the FINAL FANTASY III and FINAL FANTASY IV Nintendo DS remakes. Players will enter a beautiful fairy-tale world featuring illustrations and character designs by acclaimed character designer Akihiko Yoshida (FINAL FANTASY III for DS, FINAL FANTASY XII). Expand
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Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light E3 2010 Official Trailer
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 49
  2. Negative: 1 out of 49
  1. Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light is certainly an interesting experience when it comes to many of its unique gameplay mechanics, but the game's overflowing sense of charm and hardcore level of challenge make it an irresistible experience for seasoned RPG fans.
  2. But Heroes Of Light transcends these hiccups, and its oversimplified nature, to become a vital portable Final Fantasy title.
  3. Dec 19, 2010
    80
    If you've been dying for a classic Final Fantasy title that's closer in mechanics to Final Fantasy IV than Final Fantasy XIII, you'll enjoy 4 Heroes of Light. If you despise retro RPG conventions, 4 Heroes is not for you unless you really want to morph into a chicken.
  4. This Final Fantasy is an old school JRPG with good ideas but has a too simple battle system and a poor and generic plot.
  5. Less than ideal for RPG newcomers. Charm wins through, but you'll have to be v-e-r-y patient.
  6. Its back-to-basics approach strips away much of the pointless frippery of the modern JRPG without stripping out the satisfaction of playing them. The DS isn't short of absorbing RPGs, but 4 Heroes of Light is a worthwhile addition, particularly for anyone with fond memories of simpler, happier times for Japanese role-playing.
  7. Edge Magazine
    Dec 19, 2010
    40
    So indebted is dev studio Matrix to the old ways that it seems to have granted a free pass to the old problems. Quest signposting is buried in unclear dialogue snippets, bosses are beaten through trial and error, and grinding is rife. [Dec 2010, p.99]

See all 49 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 21
  2. Negative: 4 out of 21
  1. Aug 16, 2011
    10
    The 4 Heroes of Light is everything you love about old school RPGs, requiring a lot of exploring with a just-big-enough world to explore and aThe 4 Heroes of Light is everything you love about old school RPGs, requiring a lot of exploring with a just-big-enough world to explore and a hint of guidance. It comes wrapped in a deceptively cute aesthetic, with lush, painterly graphics which I hope to see more of from Square. Expand
  2. Jul 3, 2016
    10
    Final Fantasy 4 Heroes of Light is one of my favorite games for the DS, and it bothers me that I discovered it so late. The soundtrack isFinal Fantasy 4 Heroes of Light is one of my favorite games for the DS, and it bothers me that I discovered it so late. The soundtrack is fantastic and very memorable. People call it hard, but honestly I didn't find it hard, and I'm not the most die-hard FF fan. I would say that if you've played the 3rd and the 4th FF on the DS, then this will not be more difficult or have any more cryptic stuff than them, without spoiling anything. What makes this game special to me is the way it stands out in terms of story, gameplay and feel. Story-wise, it seemed like they were referencing the traditional FF characters by parodying them, and I think you will notice this if you keep this in mind while playing it, and it makes for a much more comical playthrough. Still, this game manages to make the story into something with sense, that naturally brings you further and keeps variation. My tip to anyone picking this up is to early adapt to the unorthodox game mechanics and upgrading system. Also, my biggest advice is to save all the gems you can, and to do a little bit of harvesting! I would love if this got a sequel of some sorts... Expand
  3. Mar 16, 2011
    9
    This game is a lot of fun. For potential gamers, be forewarned that there is a lot of grinding (fighting tons of battles to boost your levelThis game is a lot of fun. For potential gamers, be forewarned that there is a lot of grinding (fighting tons of battles to boost your level before progressing) HOWEVER the battle system is fun and challenging. If you're an avid RPG player who rarely uses revive,phoenix down, etc. be prepared to change that. Your people will die. The game play and presentation takes me back to old school RPGs which I love. It's without all the added frills of today's games, but with a core of amazing appeal. I have not beaten the game, but from what I have played thus far the story is interesting. You cannot completely choose your target in battle, which is a little frustration and there aren't multiple save slots so if you mess up on one and then save, you cannot revert to a previous save. Those are really my only two "complaints" about the game and those are barely worth mentioning. If you're a Final Fantasy fan or just an RPG fan, buy this game and enjoy. If you haven't previously been into RPGs I would more than likely not recommend this as a starter in the genre, but if you play some more accessible RPGs and love them, then perhaps you can come back to this little gem. As with most games, it will be waiting. Expand
  4. Jun 3, 2023
    8
    Another really nice looking Final Fantasy game but rather than being an update of an older adventure, it's a new game done in a retro style.Another really nice looking Final Fantasy game but rather than being an update of an older adventure, it's a new game done in a retro style. This throws up some issues revolving around the level of control you have over your character - particularly during combat - as the designers didn't quite grasp the mechanics involved in the same way as the original pioneers of the genre did. But it's undeniably charming which goes a long way toward forgiving its flaws. Expand
  5. Apr 27, 2013
    8
    The style and look of this game is wonderful. As I played through It feels very reminiscent of FF3 (one of my favorite rpgs especially the dsThe style and look of this game is wonderful. As I played through It feels very reminiscent of FF3 (one of my favorite rpgs especially the ds version). It's a nice nod to the classics in terms of mood, but different enough in game play too not feel like your playing the same old game. Expand
  6. Sep 29, 2013
    7
    While a beautiful game, it took the very old school approach to story and mechanics. Unfortunately, the main problem with battles was that youWhile a beautiful game, it took the very old school approach to story and mechanics. Unfortunately, the main problem with battles was that you could not designate a certain attack or skill to an enemy, making it extremely difficult with multiple enemies who have a weakness or strength to any elements. The crown system was very interesting, though, as was the way skill trees were implemented by the jewel upgrades. That may be something I'd like to see redone in the future.
    Art: 8
    Music: 9
    Story: 7
    Gameplay: 6
    Expand
  7. Jul 29, 2014
    4
    The beginning of the game was great, but then it loses its place pretty quickly. I played about 10 hours telling myself the good part wasThe beginning of the game was great, but then it loses its place pretty quickly. I played about 10 hours telling myself the good part was coming up, and I knew the game was bad when it never came. Redeeming features: the music, crown system, and beginning tutorial segment. Expand

See all 21 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

40
10
#10 Most Discussed DS Game of 2010
16
#16 Most Shared DS Game of 2010