Breath of Fire 4 Revived on PC Thanks to GOG's Preservation Initiative

Capcom's classic RPG Breath of Fire 4 has been re-released on PC through GOG.com's game preservation program, bringing this beloved PlayStation title back to modern systems 25 years after its original release.

First launched on PlayStation in 2000, Breath of Fire 4 follows the story of Ryu, a blue-haired warrior with the ability to transform into a dragon. The game puts players on a quest to discover the origin of Ryu's powers while helping Princess Nina find her missing sister and protect her from the Fou Empire.

The re-release is part of GOG's preservation initiative launched in November last year, which aims to make classic games playable on modern hardware with technical support. According to the reports, over 100 games are currently included in this program, ranging from '80s Ultima titles to 2000s games like System Shock 2 and Silent Hill 4.

GOG has made significant improvements to this version of Breath of Fire 4. The game now offers full compatibility with Windows 10 and 11, improved DirectX rendering, new display options, enhanced audio, and support for modern controllers. Players can enjoy the game with both English and Japanese localizations.

However, the port isn't without issues. As PC Gamer points out, the game launches by default in a "smeary fullscreen mode" that doesn't do justice to the game's pixel art style. The mixture of 2D pixel art characters and 3D environments can look unbalanced on modern displays, with "polygons too sharp and the pixels too blurry."

Despite these visual quirks, fans are excited about the return of what many consider one of Capcom's finest JRPGs. The game features an epic story, gorgeous 2.5D graphics, a massive world filled with secrets, and an addictive turn-based combat system that was ahead of its time.

Along with Breath of Fire 4, GOG has announced several other classic titles joining its Preservation Program, including Ultima Underworld 1+2, Ultima 9: Ascension, Worms: Armageddon, Robin Hood: The Legend of Sherwood, Realms of the Haunting, Tex Murphy: Under a Killing Moon, and Stonekeep.

Some fans express hope that if Breath of Fire 4 sells well on GOG, it might convince Capcom to consider reviving the series, which has been dormant for many years, similar to how they've recently brought back other franchises like Onimusha and Dragon's Dogma.

The game is now available for purchase on GOG.com and is completely DRM-free, allowing players to install and play it without any digital restrictions.