GENRE
	RPG
	DEVELOPER
	Matrix Software
	PUBLISHER
	Square Enix
	WI-FI ENHANCED
	No
	WII EXCLUSIVE
	No
	EXPECTED RELEASE DATE
	July 6, 2009
	BUY NOW AT

There's a lot to love in Final Fantasy IV: The After Years, even if you were a bit let down after Yang’s Tale. In Palom's Tale, our little black wizard makes up for the last episode's deficiencies. He's all grown up and got a braid... and he’s a jerk, now. That will become apparent very quickly.

Palom’s Tale opens up with him on a ship undertaking a journey from Mysidia to Troia. During a quick flashback scene, you’ll find out he’s been sent by the Elder of Mysidia to Troia, even though Palom feels that Porom would be better suited for the job. Apparently, one of the eight epopts, or rulers, of Troia has fallen ill, and the community needs a replacement. Leanora is chosen as that replacement and is to be accompanied by Palom to the Tower of Trials to begin her training. Palom's adventure will take place mostly during these trials and covers 5 different floors of the tower. Porom will teach Leanora a new spell on each floor, and by the end, she will learn the first four black magic spells available to a new black mage.

Make sure you have the phase of the moon set to best make use of magic because you don’t have a healer in this episode of the game. This seems to be a trend among these episodes, and it will be interesting to see how they balance that when it’s time for Porom’s part of the adventure. You will not have much chance to stock up for this journey, either, as you’re short on cash, but it’s not going to be very necessary to stock up. You will find healing items scattered throughout the Tower of Trials and a number of pots where you can replenish your HP and MP. You are supposed to be training Leanora in the ways of black magic, but it will be Palom who does the most damage during combat throughout the game. He has the higher level spells that can deal a lot of damage to multiple targets and that will be very useful. He will, however, allow Leanora to engage in some battles by herself to better understand how to use her spells.

Once that training is complete, the two will return to the Castle of Troia at about the same time forces from Baron arrive in an effort to steal the Wind Crystal from them. Palom and Leanora will attempt to escape with the crystal and during that flight, they will encounter a very powerful enemy brought back to life because of their efforts. I will not spoil it, but just understand the fight will be very tough-- it took us six tries.

Palom’s Tale will take between two and two and a half hours to finish, and the focus will be on magic use. Palom and Leanora are the only two characters that you will control during the adventure. Make sure you don’t save over any previous save files because Palom’s Tale will also tie into the final chapter of the game like the previous chapters before it. If you felt disappointed by the short play time and open threads of Yang’s Tale, Palom will make up for it during his adventure. This episode is recommended to anyone who’s played the game so far.