Final Fantasy 4 is a big deal. Not just because it was the series' first Super Famicom-slash-Super Nintendo installment. Not for the debut of the Active Time Battle system, something Square Enix still uses now. And not even because it made fewer overt Star Wars references than usual. (There's still plenty of Star Wars, though.) It's special for how it combines character personalities and abilities with the broader story, something most RPGs and other Final Fantasies rarely do.

Released in Japan in July 1991 (and overseas in November of that year), Final Fantasy 4 follows the troubled Cecil, a knight in service to the king of Baron. Baron's ruler isn't a great guy. His favorite hobbies are starting wars and killing innocent people, something Cecil goes along with, albeit reluctantly, as he feels he owes the man his loyalty. Plus his childhood friend (and roommate) Kaine does it, so going against the grain just isnt'........

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