Epic Battle Fantasy 4
- February 25, 2014
- Matt "Kupo" Roszak
- 25h median play time
Get on Steam"Epic Battle Fantasy 4" is a turn-based RPG with light-hearted humor and mature themes, inspired by 16-bit classics. Battle over 140 enemies, customize characters with 170 items and skills, and enjoy a full soundtrack. The game offers 25 hours of gameplay, including Newgame+, survival, and boss rush modes, suitable for both casual and hardcore players.
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Reviews
- humor460 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in this game is a standout feature, characterized by a mix of witty dialogue, self-referential jokes, and playful nods to classic RPG tropes and internet culture. While some players appreciate its light-hearted and sometimes absurd comedic style, others find the humor dated or juvenile, with occasional crude elements. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with engaging gameplay, making it a fun experience for fans of quirky RPGs.
“Truly a great RPG title with a lot of humor and references.”
“The game captivated me from the very beginning with its charming pixel art style and humorous storyline.”
“A hilarious take on the traditional RPG formula, packed full of silly humor and references to the games that inspired it.”
“The humor is a little cringey, but remember it started as a flash game.”
“The story was confusing and unfunny.”
“Epic Battle Fantasy 4 sadly makes a joke out of everything, which ends up making everything unfunny.”
- story457 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of "Epic Battle Fantasy 4" is characterized as lighthearted and humorous, often serving as a backdrop for the game's comedic dialogue and quirky characters. While the plot is simple and somewhat predictable, it effectively parodies traditional RPG tropes, making it enjoyable for players who appreciate its playful tone. Overall, the narrative is not deeply complex but is filled with charm and entertaining moments, appealing to fans of casual RPGs.
“The story starts out simply, with the heroes enjoying the fruits of their labors after the last installment; however, they uncover a secret plot to summon an ancient goddess and once again happen to find themselves responsible for protecting humanity.”
“The character development is natural and authentic, as the characters meet a fourth party member who was at first disliked; yet, as the characters mature through the storyline they grow to respect one another and develop a palpable camaraderie.”
“The story is intriguing and had me hooked, with a charming pixel art style and humorous storyline that captivated me from the very beginning.”
“The plot is near nonsensical and does not take itself seriously.”
“There is zero story and mostly exists for the elemental combat a la Pokémon.”
“While the story isn't anything special, the difficulty of the game made it much more engaging, as if I'm actually facing an onslaught of monoliths.”
- music373 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in "Epic Battle Fantasy 4" is widely praised for its exceptional quality and fitting compositions, crafted by the talented composer Phyrnna. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, noting its ability to enhance the game's atmosphere and complement the gameplay, with many considering it one of the best in the series. Overall, the music is described as catchy, memorable, and a significant reason to play the game, often leading players to listen to it outside of the game itself.
“The music is amazing as always, and Phyrnna stands to remain one of my favorite composers.”
“The soundtrack in Epic Battle Fantasy 4 was fantastic and perfectly complemented the gameplay.”
“The music is outstanding and is even available as a soundtrack.”
“The music gets on your nerves, the graphics are horrible, everything feels so amateurish, in a bad way.”
“Music is very forgettable; some sounds like rip-offs from other games.”
“If I were to say anything positive, it would be that the music seemed like it might be decent if I spent more time on the game, but I don't plan to.”
- gameplay324 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Epic Battle Fantasy 4 is widely praised for its engaging turn-based mechanics, strategic depth, and humorous elements, building upon the foundations laid by its predecessor, EBF3. Players appreciate the introduction of new mechanics, such as the ability to swap in a fourth character, which adds variety and tactical options to battles. Overall, the game offers a nostalgic yet fresh experience for fans of classic JRPGs, with a wealth of content, quests, and a charming art style that enhances the fun.
“Epic Battle Fantasy 4 is a delightful journey that successfully combines captivating visuals, a charming narrative, and strategic gameplay.”
“The gameplay is deep and there's lots of strategy to win the battles.”
“Ebf4 improves the already amazing gameplay from Ebf3 and continues to deliver a fun and sometimes challenging experience.”
“However, make no mistake, between EBF3's stellar difficulty curve and general difficulty and EBF5's extremely well thought-out battle mechanics, I'd say this is probably the worst of the trilogy.”
“While there is some kind of nice (nerdy) humor, the gameplay is quite repetitive and boring.”
“In the end, I cannot help but feel that the lack of any kind of story to get invested into really hurts the game since it really only has the gameplay going for it.”
- graphics251 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of Epic Battle Fantasy 4 are characterized by a charming, anime-inspired art style that combines colorful visuals with cute animations, reminiscent of classic flash games. While some players appreciate the simplicity and nostalgic feel of the graphics, others note performance issues on lower-end systems, suggesting that the visuals, though appealing, may not be as polished as those in larger AAA titles. Overall, the game's aesthetic is well-received for its humor and creativity, contributing to an enjoyable gaming experience.
“The graphics and humor bring back memories of playing flash games for hours on end - this game is a joy to play and is totally confident and unashamed of its roots.”
“The graphics are unique and are based on flash animations, similar to lots of web games, which I loved.”
“The graphics are appealing, the writing is witty, and the story is great, and has plenty of callbacks to previous games.”
“I'm running a RTX 3080, yet somehow my computer can't play the game properly, even on lowest graphics.”
“The graphics are sort of flash-game looking but very easy to overlook, the music soundtrack is awesome.”
“Just look at the childish graphics and that low-res JRPG style - not worth €11 in my book.”
- grinding88 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 93 % negative mentions
Overall, reviews indicate that while grinding is present in the game, it is not excessively tedious or mandatory for progression, especially on normal difficulty. Many players appreciate the balance between grinding for upgrades and enjoying the story, with some noting that grinding can enhance the experience without feeling forced. However, a few players found certain battles and the need for grinding before major bosses to be somewhat repetitive or time-consuming.
“It's fun, it got achievements and it's not too grindy.”
“If you choose to bump into an enemy, the fighting starts; no tedious random encounters after any x steps.”
“- no grinding for equipment, just some for upgrading them.”
“The stat curve between levels in this game is the most intense, and especially when it comes to bosses it makes the experience curve favor grinding above all else.”
“You spend a lot of time doing a tedious amount of micro-management every few fights, or you'll quickly fall behind, and the game doesn't really do much to show you what you should be doing (upgrading gear, skills, specials, what the differences are, etc), so you'll just kind of suffer along.”
“It does get annoying how as the game moves on the foes get stronger, but you also have to fight tons of waves, leading to unnecessary grinding.”
- replayability48 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
Overall, the game exhibits high replayability due to its diverse difficulty settings, new game plus options, and a wealth of achievements and side quests. Players appreciate the engaging gameplay, charming characters, and the ability to experiment with different builds and strategies, although some note that replay value diminishes after completing the main campaign. The combination of rich content and enjoyable mechanics makes it a favorite among many, ensuring that players can return for multiple playthroughs.
“The myriad ways to distribute skills and the beloved new game plus allow for plenty of replay value.”
“Fantastic game, with challenging encounters and great replayability to try all sorts of silly builds, plus the dialog does not get old (mostly because there is so much of it, you are unlikely to remember all of them in the first 100 runs), for this alone I think most JRPG fans will be more than pleased.”
“With a deep combat system that's very much based off Final Fantasy, but with enough nuances to make it its own and an interesting equipment system that allows for more replayability, unlike in most RPGs, one sword or piece of armor isn't 'better' than others simply because you find it later in the game; each has their own pros and cons that allows for extra experimentation and strategy.”
“The replayability, however, approaches zero.”
“That being said, the game has little immediate replayability after completing the campaign the first time around.”
“Fun gameplay, great graphics, but little replayability.”
- optimization21 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing frequent frame rate drops and stuttering, particularly during extended play sessions. While some users noted that performance issues can be temporarily alleviated by restarting the game, others appreciated the improvements made in the 2.0 update, which addressed many initial performance concerns. Overall, while the game is enjoyable and well-crafted, players should be prepared for occasional performance disruptions, especially on higher-end systems.
“For anyone who is a fan of turn-based RPGs, I highly recommend this game now that the 2.0 update has fixed most of the performance issues.”
“All-in-all, a must-have for any RPG and/or flash enthusiasts; the port from Newgrounds/Kongregate was masterfully done, with no noticeable performance issues on my end, as Kupo was thorough in addressing them into and well after release.”
“For a game optimized to be played 30 minutes at a go, you can spend a lot of effort fine-tuning your characters' skills and loadouts for tough fights (and it will *really* pay off if you are playing epic and going for the achievements).”
“But the only problem I have is with the FPS/stuttering issue.”
“The only negative that comes to mind is the lack of an optimized full screen resolution and no access to Steam features in-game, besides syncing, achievements, and cards.”
“There is also, on the negative end, occasional lag and stuttering.”
- character development10 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally viewed as natural and authentic, with characters evolving through their interactions and forming strong bonds. However, some players feel that while there is notable character growth, many characters remain forgettable despite the development efforts. The character designs are a mixed bag, with some praising their uniqueness and others finding them inconsistent, but overall, they contribute positively to the game's aesthetic.
“The character development is natural and authentic, as the characters meet a fourth party member who was at first disliked; yet, as the characters mature through the storyline, they grow to respect one another and develop a palpable camaraderie.”
“Great character development, including weapon upgrades and skills.”
“Character designs are very memorable, especially things like the slimes, nolegs, and godcat.”
“Don't expect to see some intricate story or a bunch of character development.”
“I'd have to say every character in this game is forgettable; even the people you play as are very forgettable, even though there is a lot of character development.”
“I'm not a huge fan of the character design (at least for humans) outside of battles, as it seems inconsistent with the rest presented.”
- atmosphere10 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is a standout feature, evoking nostalgic feelings of childhood adventures and the essence of pen-and-paper RPG sessions. Players appreciate the beautifully designed characters, engaging humor, and a relaxing yet immersive environment, enhanced by stunning music that adapts to different regions and situations. Overall, the combination of visual and auditory elements creates a captivating and enjoyable atmosphere throughout the gameplay.
“All in all the game maintains the atmosphere of a pen-and-paper RPG session, with characters being aware they are inside the game, which adds another layer of meta-humor to their jokes.”
“The music, written by halcyonicfalconx, is absolutely stunning and as it changes from every region you visit, it also changes the game's atmosphere.”
“The relaxing nature of the game carries over into even the more intense battles, and the music sets the atmosphere well.”
“The music, which is written by halcyonicfalconx, is absolutely stunning and as it changes from every region you visit, it also changes the game's atmosphere.”
“Music 10/10; it is amazing and every place has its own theme and combat mode themes, adding to the atmosphere.”
- emotional7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a lighthearted and humorous tone, providing a wholesome experience over its 20+ hour campaign. Players appreciate the blend of silly references and comedic elements, which stand in contrast to the often gritty narratives found in other RPGs, making it an enjoyable and accessible choice for those seeking a more uplifting gaming experience.
“It makes you feel emotional.”
“That was a wholesome 20+ hours of gameplay.”
“The story is light and full of silly references and humor - just the kind of thing we need these days, especially when a lot of other RPGs are going for the gritty, emotional stories.”
- monetization6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game is well-received, as it offers a thoughtfully designed experience rather than a quick cash grab. While a free version exists online with ads, the Steam version enhances gameplay by removing ads and providing additional content, making it a worthwhile purchase for players seeking a more complete experience.
“You can find the game for free in flash form online, but the Steam version has no ads, gives you more bosses to beat, equipment to find, and medals to earn.”
“It's free on Kongregate, but this version is better because there are no ads.”
“You play the game on Kongregate/Newgrounds but despise the ads.”
- stability5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -40 % neutral mentions
- 80 % negative mentions
Overall, stability in the game is mixed; while some players report smooth performance on low-end PCs, others experience frustrating freezes and framerate drops, particularly during intense moments like limit breaks or prolonged battles. These issues seem to worsen as fights progress, detracting from the overall experience.
“Despite being made in Flash, it is very smooth and runs great with no issues.”
“The game maintains a consistent frame rate, which enhances the overall experience.”
“I haven't encountered any crashes or bugs, making for a stable gameplay experience.”
“I hope it fixes the game freezes and crashes on low minimum graphics on slow PCs.”
“Attention: the game freezes sometimes if you cast the limit break Genesis, which can be very annoying during a long boss wave.”
“The issue becomes increasingly more frustrating as you advance - the longer a fight is, the more frequently you'll see framerate drops or even complete freezes that don't correlate to resource contention.”
