Hi all, I'm new to this forum and hope this post will be moved if not in the best venue.

As this is a new title, not too much is available on the webs for help/discussion/strategy, so I'd like to put my two cents in.

First of all, the game is shaping out to be very fun with some new things to experience. The combat system only allows you 1 "choice" per character per round. I.e., "Attack" causes the char to do a regular attack, but you don't choose the target. It does seem to pick correctly for you though, or at least predictably. The lowest HP guy seems to get all the "Cure"s, and this works out because it seems the target for the Cure is decided at cast time not selection. So if someone who didn't need a heal at selection time gets hit before the spell is cast, it will be redirected to him if the triage AI deems it proper.

The game follows a "Job" style system called "Crowns" where you collect various crowns during the game, and can then assign those crowns to any or all of your characters. However you can specialize a character to special jobs by inserting gems in his or her crown in a specific pattern that unlocks more powerful abilities. For example, anyone with the White Mage crown on gets a reduced "mana" cost on white magic, but if that crown is upgraded with some gems it unlocks a power making the next healing spell work on the whole party.

This installment does not use a traditional mana system and instead all characters have up to 5 AP points. Everyone gets one point added at the start of a round, and then uses AP to fund their magic, etc. Basic attacks cost 1 AP, spells cost 2. Each character may use "Boost" to simply defend, but regain an extra AP that round. As mentioned earlier, white/black mages get AP discounted on their school's spells.

I'm not very far into the game, having only acquired 3 crowns. I would invite discussion on Liberte, the pirates, the whirlpool, and that portion of the game. Can anyone tell me the best places to travel at this part to ultimately free the kidnapped people and recover the stolen artwork. I've found many places to travel to but can't determine if they are relevant to the main quest yet.

Thanks!

my main gripe about this game is the combat system.
ok, so i want to heal my knight because he can tank while my other guys heal the weak guy, but NOOO, they all heal the weak guy who will get hit again and have its hp drop to 3 (of 600).
the combat system is the same as lunar dragon song. ask anyone anyhwere if they liked that game (i did solely for the music). im just grateful the system is not more alike to lunar DS, having to choose either to earn points or items.

Yeah, having progressed a bit in the game since I posted; I too am growing frustrated, or at least disappointed, that I can't pick what monster to kill first, who to heal, etc. Having to use the enhanced crown ability of the white mage to heal ALL of my party in order to guarantee who I want gets healed is costly on AP. On the other hand, I haven't had more than 2 in my party since the beginning so.. dunno if that is what to expect the whole time but I could see there being a big problem with healing with a full party.

There is now a walkthrough on gameFAQs but I'm trying to avoid using it as much as I can, but here it is if anybody gets stuck
GameFAQs: Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light (DS) FAQ/Walkthrough by PiperStarfireGilmore (http://www.gamefaqs.com/ds/961297-final-fantasy-the-4-heroes-of-light/faqs/61026)

I'd like to get this game. I can't seem to ascertain whether or not this is any sort of remake/rehash of FFI. Is it?

i heard the game got a bad rating. game informer only gave it a 6/10. the best part about it was the music accordin to the review.

I don't listen to reviews. I make my own :D

i have to agree with them, though. the battle system isnt all that great. u cant pick which monster to attack or who to heal.

Dang, really? Hmm. . . . Maybe I'll have to browse a few vids and peruse a few reviews before I make the big purchase.

thats a good idea.

well the game certainly has some awkward and annoying points, but imho it is a very good "spinoff" title. i would be highly upset if it were a main-series title, but since it isnt and it does have new and original features, i think any FF fan should enjoy playing it. frankly i think the only real flaw is being unable to target something specifically.

it should be noted that you dont have a huge inventory that can hold every single item you pick up... but rather each person in your party can hold up to 15 items, including their equipped gear, and items do not stack. so 2 hi potions would use 2 of your 15 slots.

the music is naturally great like any FF installment, and the story is more or less original