Skip to main content

Breath of Fire IV

Breath of Fire IV Game Cover
74%Game Brain Score
Most mentioned positive aspects:story, graphics
Most mentioned negative aspects:stability, grinding
74% User Score Based on 315 reviews

Platforms

PCWindows
Buy Nowfrom €4.99
Buy NowGet on Steam €4.99
Breath of Fire IV Game Cover

About Breath of Fire IV

Breath of Fire IV is a single player tactical role playing game with fantasy, anime and dark fantasy themes. It was developed by CAPCOM Co., Ltd. and was released on April 1, 2026. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Story "In a far-away world, two continents float, separated by a vast swamp-land. For eons, no contact existed between the two continents because ships couldn’t sail across the expanse. At last, when the historic first contact was made between the two powers, war erupted! After long and costly fighting between the Fou Empire in the west and an alliance of countries in the east, bo…

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Breath of Fire IV screenshot
Breath of Fire IV screenshot
Breath of Fire IV screenshot
Breath of Fire IV screenshot
Breath of Fire IV screenshot
Breath of Fire IV screenshot
Breath of Fire IV screenshot
Breath of Fire IV screenshot
Breath of Fire IV screenshot
Breath of Fire IV screenshot
Breath of Fire IV screenshot
+3
Skip Games Like Breath of Fire IV

Games Like Breath of Fire IV

Looking for games like Breath of Fire IV? Here are top tactical role playing recommendations with a fantasy, anime and dark fantasy focus, selected from player-similarity data — start with CHRONO CROSS: THE RADICAL DREAMERS EDITION, LUNAR Remastered Collection or Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars.

CHRONO CROSS: THE RADICAL DREAMERS EDITION Image
66%1.6kreviews

CHRONO CROSS: THE RADICAL DREAMERS EDITION

2022Tactical Role Playing
Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPC+7
Games like CHRONO CROSS: THE RADICAL DREAMERS EDITION
LUNAR Remastered Collection Image
91%416reviews

LUNAR Remastered Collection

2025Tactical Role Playing
Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPC+9
Games like LUNAR Remastered Collection
Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars Image
96%1.7kreviews

Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars

2025Tactical Role Playing
Nintendo SwitchPlaystation 5Playstation 4+10
Games like Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars
FINAL FANTASY IX Image
89%7.7kreviews

FINAL FANTASY IX

2016Role Playing
Nintendo SwitchPCTablet+7
Games like FINAL FANTASY IX
Tales of Symphonia Image
85%5.2kreviews

Tales of Symphonia

2016Open World Role Playing
PCTabletPhone+2
Games like Tales of Symphonia
FINAL FANTASY VIII Remastered Image
75%4.2kreviews

FINAL FANTASY VIII Remastered

2019Open World Role Playing
Nintendo SwitchPlaystation 5Playstation 4+12
Games like FINAL FANTASY VIII Remastered
FINAL FANTASY IV Image
93%2.1kreviews

FINAL FANTASY IV

2021Tactical Role Playing
PCTabletXbox Game Pass+9
Games like FINAL FANTASY IV
Final Fantasy VI Image
80%3.2kreviews

Final Fantasy VI

2015Open World Role Playing
PCXbox Game PassCloud+5
Games like Final Fantasy VI
Dino Crisis 2 Image
87%290reviews

Dino Crisis 2

2026Survival Shooter
PCWindows
Games like Dino Crisis 2
FINAL FANTASY TACTICS - The Ivalice Chronicles Image
86%4.5kreviews

FINAL FANTASY TACTICS - The Ivalice Chronicles

2025Tactical Role Playing
Nintendo SwitchPlaystation 5Playstation 4+12
Games like FINAL FANTASY TACTICS - The Ivalice Chronicles
More games like Breath of Fire IV
Skip User Reviews

Reviews

74%Audience ScoreBased on 315 reviews
story17 positive mentions
stability4 negative mentions
  • Classic JRPG with a compelling story, memorable characters, and unique dual perspective narrative.
  • Beautiful and distinctive art style combining 2D sprites with 3D environments, supported by a strong soundtrack.
  • Engaging turn-based combat with combo mechanics and dragon transformations providing strategic depth.
  • Port suffers from technical issues including poor controller support, presence of DRM on an old game, and lack of cloud saves and achievements.
  • Graphical presentation is flawed on this version, with blurry filtering by default and visual glitches not present in other releases.
  • User interface and controls feel outdated and unpolished, with confusing keyboard prompts shown even when using controllers and awkward menu navigation.

  • story

    56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    30% positive mentions, 65% neutral mentions, 5% negative mentions

    The story in this JRPG is a mixed but generally positive aspect, praised for its engaging dual perspectives, memorable characters, and layered narrative with a balance of lighthearted and dark themes. However, it suffers from pacing issues, inconsistent plot progression, and some plot points that feel dropped or underdeveloped, leading to periods of slow or padded storytelling. Despite its flaws, many players find the story nostalgic, compelling, and a strong highlight that complements the game's art and gameplay.

    • “The story is engaging and properly paced, with a great balance of lighthearted fun and a few pretty dark and messed up twists.”
    • “The story of this JRPG is the best there is; the combo system is great. I've beaten this game multiple times as a kid and as an adult, and it retains its charm each time.”
    • “The story follows a boy with no memories who can transform into a dragon, as he travels the world, makes friends, and slowly uncovers his past.”
    • “The story is appalling and nonsensical (including the fact there is a huge temporal paradox at its core), the pacing of the game/story is really bad, the length of several animations is just so slow I used cheats to quicken the game by 50%. The main character isn't even a character (and I don't care that he doesn't talk; neither did Ryu of Breath of Fire 3 but he is a character).”
    • “I do get this game is more so a kid game with semi-serious plot and stuff, but the writer does not stay consistent with it at all. The main plot objective for acts 1-2 gets dropped during the remaining acts, plot points just stop progressing for another one which on its surface looks like an attempt of the writer to try to figure out how to push the plot to a direction to reach the goal but doesn't know how to.”
    • “The game is constantly losing interest in its plot, and any build-up is wasted when the main conflict ends up being an extremely black-and-white moral debate and ultimately the story is wrapped up in the safest and most uninteresting way.”

  • graphics

    28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    29% positive mentions, 60% neutral mentions, 11% negative mentions

    The graphics receive widespread praise for their masterful pixel art, charming blend of 2D sprites and low-detail 3D, and a distinctive art style that combines classic anime aesthetics with handcrafted, storybook-like visuals. While some note the graphics feel dated and blurry without manual tweaks, the overall artistic design and animation continue to impress and hold nostalgic appeal for fans of retro JRPGs.

    • “The story pace is good, the mechanics are fine, the mini games are simple but give some freshness from the text reading and the graphics are probably the best pixel graphics ever seen in an RPG.”
    • “I really liked the overall graphics, the mix of low detail 3D and pixel art works very well, especially the 3D in some enemies giving an otherworldly feel which meshes with the lore really well.”
    • “The combination of expressive 2D sprites and detailed 3D environments creates a layered aesthetic that feels both handcrafted and immersive.”
    • “If you didn't grow up with the original PlayStation, be prepared: the graphics and mechanics are very much a product of their time and won't compete with modern titles in terms of polish or visual fidelity.”
    • “Everything is fuzzy and grainy, I get that they did nothing to update the graphics but they could have at least made it look cleaner.”
    • “- Inability to remove blurry graphic filter without going into the game's config file.”

  • gameplay

    27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    33% positive mentions, 56% neutral mentions, 11% negative mentions

    The gameplay of Breath of Fire IV is praised for its charming, polished mechanics, unique combat system, and engaging combo mechanics that reward strategic play, though some find it slow-paced and dated, with pacing issues and added features like minigames and summons feeling somewhat unnecessary or out of place. While the story and art elevate the experience, certain mechanics such as dragon transformations and the master system are simplified or stripped down compared to previous entries, leading to a mixed reception among fans. Overall, it remains a solid, enjoyable RPG with depth for veterans but may feel cumbersome or slow for others.

    • “The setting, story, characters, and gameplay are top tier!”
    • “However, it's affordable and the core gameplay is very good - a must play for any fan of the franchise, regardless of the platform you attempt it on.”
    • “It doesn’t chase spectacle or innovation for its own sake; instead, it focuses on delivering a carefully balanced experience where narrative, mechanics, and presentation work in harmony.”
    • “The fact that you can lose a dragon transformation by giving it to a merchant without any clear explanation that you're discarding a piece of gameplay forever is ridiculous!”
    • “The gameplay feels slightly 'stripped down.' The dragon transformations lack the variety and depth I loved in the third game, and other mechanics—like the master system and general skill management—feel a bit simplified in comparison.”
    • “The master system no longer requires just leveling up to unlock new skills; it adds tons of minigames and makes you play them to evolve your dragon forms. It adds unnecessary stuff like summons and fairy attacks. Breath of Fire IV is heavily padded in both gameplay and story.”

  • music

    26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    38% positive mentions, 50% neutral mentions, 12% negative mentions

    The music in this game is widely praised for its beautiful, atmospheric, and culturally inspired soundtrack, blending orchestral and eastern folk elements that enhance the emotional and narrative experience. While many find it excellent and memorable, some critiques note issues with the remastered version, such as loss of reverb effects, awkward looping, missing enhanced themes, and a somewhat flat sound compared to the original PS1 release. Despite these technical shortcomings, the soundtrack remains a standout aspect that complements the game's art and storytelling.

    • “But when you accept this game as a product of its time, you will be blown away by the storytelling, unique transformations, satisfying combo system, beautiful art style, and atmospheric soundtrack.”
    • “2D RPG perfection, very colorful, not afraid to be goofy, excellent soundtrack.”
    • “This visual style is complemented by a musical score that shifts seamlessly between serene melodies and more dramatic compositions, enhancing the emotional impact of key moments.”
    • “Several legacy issues from the original 2003 release that were carried over into the GOG reissue are still present here, including music looping awkwardly, the music itself losing its reverb effect from the PS1 version, and the 'enhanced' victory themes for boss fights from the PS1 version are missing.”
    • “The music felt flat too without the reverb and they didn't even fix the music loop.”
    • “Thank you Capcom for giving me the opportunity to buy my favorite game legally, but I have a complaint, namely why the remastered OST is different from the original version.”

  • stability

    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    33% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 67% negative mentions

    The game's stability varies by platform, running smoothly and without crashes on Windows 10/11 and Steam Deck, but experiencing notable bugs and glitches on Linux. Controller support works well, though some users find the button layout confusing. Despite visual and audio issues, the game remains playable and enjoyable on modern hardware.

    • “Game runs great on my controller, no real issues.”
    • “Runs great on Steam Deck and looks a bit sharper. It looks good enough on the small screen, although it always looked bad on a big screen due to its age.”
    • “Definitely buggy on Linux, but it's worth it to finally get some Breath of Fire on Steam.”
    • “Port is buggy as anything, try not to get confused by button layout on controllers.”
    • “Shame for the many visual and audio glitches but feels great to re-live this classic on modern hardware.”

  • optimization

    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    50% positive mentions, 33% neutral mentions, 17% negative mentions

    The game runs smoothly with no reported performance issues, benefiting from optimizations that improve compatibility with modern Windows versions and fix bugs present in the original 2003 port. Although the inclusion of DRM is seen as unnecessary and potentially detrimental, it does not noticeably impact performance. Overall, the optimization is considered good.

    • “Like the Resident Evil 1 - 3 and Dino Crisis 1 & 2 PC GOG/Steam re-releases, this re-release of Breath of Fire IV is essentially the same version as the European & Japanese PC port released back in 2003; however, GOG has optimized it to work better on Windows 10/11, added rendering options, and fixed crashes and some bugs and issues that you'd run into if you were to just pop the original 2003 CD into your PC and tried running it now.”
    • “Performance-wise, the game runs really well, no issues to report there.”
    • “The DRM is pointless but doesn't harm performance (the game is too old for it to matter), and the game works fine.”
    • “And as many people know, DRM like Enigma can negatively impact performance, so adding it here feels unnecessary and pointless.”

  • emotional

    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    100% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions

    The game is praised for its beautiful and emotionally resonant experience, enhanced by a fitting musical score that amplifies key moments. While not groundbreaking, it leaves a lasting emotional impact on players. However, some technical issues with gamepad functionality were noted.

    • “It's beautiful, emotional, and honestly made me a little sad.”
    • “This visual style is complemented by a musical score that shifts seamlessly between serene melodies and more dramatic compositions, enhancing the emotional impact of key moments.”
    • “While it may not be the most groundbreaking RPG of its era, it is undoubtedly one of the most polished and emotionally resonant, delivering an experience that lingers long after the journey concludes.”

  • humor

    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    100% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions

    The humor aspect is perceived as lacking or unintentional, with users not finding the game genuinely funny and one even questioning if it was meant as a joke. Some users express amusement more at the game's presentation or circumstances rather than its content.

    • “Please Capcom port all BOF titles, especially DQ because it would be so freaking funny.”
    • “3) If this was an April Fools joke, I ain't laughing.”
    • “The funny thing is, I borrowed the game from a friend because the cover looked pretty cool.”

  • atmosphere

    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    50% positive mentions, 50% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions

    The game's atmosphere is praised for its captivating storytelling, unique transformations, and atmospheric soundtrack, all complemented by a beautiful art style that enhances the overall immersive experience.

    • “When you accept this game as a product of its time, you will be blown away by the storytelling, unique transformations, satisfying combo system, beautiful art style, and atmospheric soundtrack.”

  • grinding

    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    0% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 100% negative mentions

    Grinding in the game can be frustrating due to frequent random encounters and low escape chances, which discourage early leveling until the right masters are unlocked. However, players appreciate the freedom to optimize their team for efficient farming later on, making grinding rewarding once mastered.

    • “Random encounters are annoying and the chance of escaping them is even more annoying, especially when grinding is discouraged until you have access to the correct masters.”
    • “With all the freedom, I remember optimizing my team so much in the past that I was easily farming the unkillable tree stumps.”

  • character development

    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    50% positive mentions, 50% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions

    Character development is praised for its memorable and balanced character designs, complemented by diverse and distinctive environments that enhance the overall identity of the game.

  • monetization

    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    0% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 100% negative mentions

    The monetization is perceived as aggressive and primarily focused on generating quick revenue, which may negatively impact the overall player experience.

    • “Feels like a quick cash grab.”
Skip Game Offers

Buy Breath of Fire IV

Skip Videos

Videos

Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Breath of Fire IV is a tactical role playing game with fantasy, anime and dark fantasy themes. Common tags for Breath of Fire IV include turn-based, magic, party-based rpg, 2.5d, pixel graphics and others.

Breath of Fire IV is available on PC and Windows.

Breath of Fire IV was released on April 1, 2026.

Breath of Fire IV was developed by CAPCOM Co., Ltd..

Breath of Fire IV has received mostly positive reviews from players. Most players liked Breath of Fire IV for its story but disliked it for its stability.

Breath of Fire IV is a single player game.

Similar games include CHRONO CROSS: THE RADICAL DREAMERS EDITION, LUNAR Remastered Collection, Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars, FINAL FANTASY IX, Tales of Symphonia and others.