Hack Showcases and RPG Hack Showcases are a series where I show off various game and rpg hacks. I try to stick with hacks that improve gameplay or add quality of life features, completely or partially change the plot and characters, along with additional content, dialogue, graphical and sound improvements. Non-rpgs I try to give a full run to, or at least enough for a solid review. Rpgs I will stick with titles that have enough changes in the beginning to show off, and when I can, show parts later in the games where more differences appear. There may be spoilers in the reviews and videos. Some of these I may stream fully in the future or play on my own. Reviews are open to later revisions due to bug and content updates or me playing them and finding anything new I wish to bring up.

Created by Pinkpuff and his team, this hack changes up the events of FF2/4 in a new and exciting way that makes it feel like an all new game. You’ll have new party configurations, new skills and stats for your heroes, new items, new locations and a lot more. A lot of events from FF2/4 are more fleshed out in this hack as well as a cleaned up script. Visiting the Training Room in Baron will give a good rundown of a number of the changes and more.

SO HOW IS IT? For the record, there will be spoilers in this review and from where I started off the RPG Hack Showcase stream.

This hack is a lot of fun! The divergent shift is at a point about 1/3rd into the game and it’s quite noticeable. From there you’ll carry on with the main story beats in terms of plot, locations, and so on, but in a different manner. Some plot points and locations are replaced with brand new locations added to this hack, and some events happen in a different order than in vanilla. Some plot points glossed upon in vanilla are given full detail in this hack such as fighting for the crystals in the Underground! Other plot points were reduced to side-quests for extra gear or magic for your parties throughout the game. Personalities of your party are about the same in general, but your party members are more determined to fight then sit around and mope about events here. Especially Cecil, he grew a pair! Especially important to learn of the changes is going to the Training Hall in Baron at the start of the game.

Not much of a change to the graphics or music in this hack, but i really like the graphics for the new locations. The equip screen will be familiar to those who have played FF4 Ultima before, with a full showing of stat and bonus increases and decreases upon equipping something new. There seems to be some new palette swapped enemies and bosses here, but that’s common in many 8 and 16bit rpgs.

Most of the challenge in this hack will be proceeding through the plot’s event in a different order than you’re familiar with in vanilla, and the fact that party members were changed in their classes and skills. Rydia is a straight Summoner in this one but may gain actual Black magic skills later and Rosa is more of an Archer than a White mage here. Edward has some killer bard songs right outta FF5! You’ll also find yourself fighting some bosses in a different order than in vanilla which could throw you off. Considering the changes in the plot and events players will go into fights being weak in magic or physical abilities at times, so of course you’ll have to change up a lot of your tactics here or make use of consumable attack items and healing items more often.

In conclusion, I recommend this and really want to play this fully for myself to see what happens! It’s a wonderful and refreshing twist on FF2/4 that isn’t super hard or super easy and will keep players on their toes.

I GIVE FF4 UNPRECEDENTED CRISIS 4.5 OUT OF 5 CHOCOBOS!!

GAMEPLAY VIDEO:

LINKS:
https://www.romhacking.net/hacks/2461/ – FF4 Unprecedented Crisis

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