Summary Breath of Fire IV, originally developed by Capcom and first released in 2000, remains a beloved classic of the JRPG genre. Thanks to GOG's DRM-free re-release, players can now experience this gem on modern PCs without the hassles of emulation or old hardware. The game's standout feature is its timeless art style. Hand-drawn sprites and watercolor-inspired backgrounds create a vivid and dreamlike world that still looks fantastic today. Visually, Breath of Fire IV feels truly unique, blending Eastern and fantasy elements in a way few RPGs ever have. The story is mature and emotional, centering on two protagonists: Ryu, a silent hero with dragon powers, and Fou-Lu, a divine emperor with tragic ambitions. The dual-perspective narrative brings depth, allowing players to experience the story from both sides of an impending conflict. It's one of the richer, more thoughtful plots in the series. Combat is traditional turn-based, enhanced by a clever combo system where players can chain attacks and magic for greater effect. The "Master System" also allows for deep customization as characters learn new skills from trainers and enemies. The GOG version runs smoothly on modern PCs, with controller support and minor resolution tweaks. However, it’s a straight port — no remastering, no major new features. Quality-of-life improvements like fast-forward or auto-battle are absent, and the UI can feel a bit clunky compared to modern standards. Pros +Gorgeous hand-drawn visuals that hold up beautifully +Deep, emotional story with dual protagonists +Engaging turn-based combat with combo mechanics +Memorable, atmospheric soundtrack +Smooth performance and DRM-free on GOG Cons -Slow pacing, especially early on -Dated menu systems and lack of shortcuts -No modern quality-of-life features -Basic port with few technical upgrades Verdict: Breath of Fire IV is a classic that still shines today thanks to its stunning art, strong story, and satisfying combat. Score: 10/10
Where to start i was hoping when I played at release it would be at least met some of my expectations but no apparently the game lacks: 1. Optimization & textures 2. Frames drops 3. Glitches & bugs ( for example my health drops to zero and still going and killing npcs) 4. Quality of the scene from top of building was unacceptable no rendering & I didn’t see the beauty of the city in one the missions. 5. One the scenes jack giving me his gun from his head instead of shard ! 6. Physics is not as expected & NPCs are full of flaws alot of improvement required. 7. Cops are too OP and spawns everywhere from thin air thats so unreal and exaggerated 8. I was driving bike suddenly my character was standing naked on top the bike i was what the hell just happened ! 9. Its playable but expect a long list of bugs which could ruin the experience for some. 10. No car customization & character’s movements feels horrible not to mention gun-play is bad 11. CDR hope you fix all the bugs & your game becomes stable & well optimized in all platforms
