I have total rose tinted glasses on, but this will probably always be my favorite game of all time. I loved many games before this one, but this was the first game to come along that had me deeply invested in the story and whatnot. Something I loved about Final Fantasy XV was all the banter between the guys while they were out and about. I was so into Final Fantasy IV that I let my imagination run wild and did try to envision what characters would say to each other during and in between battles. I still find myself doing that when I really get into the zone occasionally.

Anyway, I guess I just simply love this game...but if I had to choose something specific is the soundtrack. I'll agree that Uematsu got better after this game, but it is amazing how well done the soundtrack was back then. This was a very early SNES title, so developers were still trying to feel out the limitations of the console. You can tell that Uematsu was still used to writing shorter, more minimalist tracks thanks to the limitations of the NES. But there was still some tracks where you can hear Uematsu getting used to how beautiful the SNES can make his compositions sound, like the Four Fiend battle theme or "Within the Giant." It's the more subtle things that I have noticed over the years that still causes me to adore the soundtrack to this day.

The battle system may seem par for the course today, but it was pretty wild at the time to see a non action RPG move so quickly. While Final Fantasy and other old school RPGs like it may have streamlined a rough table top experience in video game form, the ATB system was like seeing a table top game move in fast forward while retaining a similar sense of strategy with heightened urgency. I actually love how in the original version of this game the player doesn't see ATB bars. While seeing the ATB bars does add a different level of planning and strategy, I like how FFIV makes you feel it out based on what you know about your characters stat wise. It also feels quicker to me since you just have to wait to see which character dings.

The game also generally reminds me of the favorite parts of my childhood. From many deeply personal memories to just fondly looking back on how the SNES completely enthralled me. If they still made new games on them today (and I mean new games not fan mods or rom hacks, as great as those can be) I would probably still happily buy them even if they still cost 60 to 80 dollars.

And that's your weirdly long, passionate post I occasionally make for no real reason of the day. Brought to you buy being up too late and...inspired.