Interview: FFIV's Hiroyuki Miura talks narrative and endurance

Final Fantasy IV Complete Collection hit the US PSN store this week. To mark the occasion, VG247 exchanged emails with game producer Hiroyuki Miura to discuss the title's many remakes and how new playable plot element, Interlude, enhances the story.

Speaking of the enduring appeal that has seen the fourth instalment of Square Enix's long-running franchise remade over half a dozen times since its original release in 1991, Miura said:

"FFIV introduced new mechanics and style which would later form the basis of the FF franchise. So it has been giving an impact on later FF titles and I guess that, in some ways, we have been feeling passionate about providing new users with an opportunity to play it every time a new console hits the market."

The producer went on to say that he believes those familiar game mechanics, such as the signature Active Time Battles, meant that players who may not have been introduced to the franchise until long after FFIV original release "can get in touch with the origin of these systems."

The Complete Collection brings together both Final Fantasy IV and The After Years as well as introducing Interlude, a new playable narrative element designed to fit in between the other two parts of the story.

"Interlude describes the blank period, which has not been touched before, and contributes as a link to bridge FFIV and The After Years," Miura explained. "Interlude is set in a time about one year after FFIV. A certain incident takes place in the world as it is being built. This story will make you pick up signs of what to come later in The After Years. So, if you play Interlude first, extra depth will be given to your game play when you move on to The After Years."

Miura denied that, despite the recent rise to prominence of Western RPGs such as Dragon Age, Fallout and Fable, the Japanese RPG was in decline by comparison:

"The titles mentioned have already arisen to great success. I would think that Japanese RPG will also continue to evolve as each title makes the most of its individual characteristics."

He would not be drawn whether he might work to bring FFIV to 3DS or NGP, however, saying only that he personally thinks that they are both "very attractive platforms".

Final Fantasy IV Complete Collection is available now for PSP.