The return of the ATB combat system and chocobo music are among the features of Final Fantasy: All the Bravest.
A few weeks ago, publisher Square Enix promised a “mobile revolution” in its launch trailer for Final Fantasy IV on iOS. I’m not sure that one game counts as a revolution, but Square Enix has taken another step towards iOS domination with the release of Final Fantasy: All the Bravest, which hits iPads, iPhones, and iPods today.
Described as a “touch-action RPG,” All the Bravest is an original Final Fantasy game that borrows heavily from other elements of the long-running franchise. The combat uses the Active Time Battle system, which was designed for Final Fantasy IV and used with game-specific modifications until Final Fantasy X. Every three hours in real time, a Fever option will appear, allowing your party to attack without waiting for the ATB gauges to appear. This seemingly chaotic mode is set to the chocobo music, and lasts until the song ends.
In addition to the familiar chocobo theme, All the Bravest uses even more music the series’ library, with over 30 songs from previous Final Fantasy games. Characters fall into 20 different jobs or classes, with old-school favorites like the warrior, monk, and red mage among them. The press release brags that All the Bravest gives players “the largest parties in Final Fantasy history,” with up to 40 characters appearing onscreen at once.
Final Fantasy: All the Bravest is available on iOS devices now for $3.99. There are leaderboards and social networking features, but it seems like Square Enix is reusing a lot of previous assets to make this new game. For a series as nostalgia-heavy as Final Fantasy, however, that may not necessarily be a bad thing.
