Episodic Sequel to Update Square's Classic RPG

Final Fantasy IV was the first game I ever recorded onto a VCR tape for re-watching. I remember when I first fired it up, sitting slack-jawed as the impressive (at that time) graphics faded into view, showing the Red Wings airship fleet in flight.

As of today, U.S. audiences can finally play the sequel to FFIV on their Wii. The download costs 800 points.

FFIV's story continues with Ceodore, the son of Cecil and Rosa, and the return of a mysterious second moon in the sky. This is the same alien moon that Cecil and Rosa, FFIV's heroes and the new rulers of Baron kingdom, investigated 17 years earlier. The living crystals that guard nature react to the moon's return. Two generations of heroes must investigate, or the planet may be thrust into danger and chaos.

The returning cast from Final Fantasy IV includes all the heroes and even some of the villains. The story unfolds in episodes, and has all the rich character development that keeps people coming back to these classic RPGs.

Here's the official trailer for the Wiiware edition of FFIV: The After Years, which, in terms of gameplay, is almost identical to the original Final Fantasy IV.