The Final Take
The Final Take
Game
Game2026
Breath of Fire IV
Developer CAPCOM Co., Ltd., GOG.com
Breath of Fire IV is a role-playing video game developed by Capcom, and is the fourth game in the Breath of Fire series. It was originally released for the PlayStation in Japan and North America in 2000, and Europe in 2001. The game was later released for Windows in Europe and Japan in 2003. An enhanced PC port was released in 2025 via GOG.com. From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
361 reactions from 3 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky, Mastodon) · newest Oct 20, 2026 · last updated Oct 21, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
66
Fresh
158 positive · 81 negative
95% range 60–72%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 158 | 81 | 0 |
| Bluesky * | 36 | 3 | 72 |
| Mastodon * | 2 | 1 | 8 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Mostly Positive
264 of 373 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
66% recommend · 159 yes, 82 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 241 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Mostly Positive (488 of 656 positive).
Many reviewers criticize the Steam port for lacking features like cloud saves, achievements, and proper controller support. [1][2][3] Several posters urge others to buy the GOG version instead, citing it as superior and DRM-free. [4][1][5]
Liked
Representative posts
- [1]
I recommend the game, because it has beautiful visuals and animations, classic JRPG turn-based combat, a vibrant cast of characters and an epic story. I don't recommend *this* release, though, because it's way inferior to GOG's release: - no cloud save support (you have that with GOG) - no achievements or overlay - apparently it works on the Steam Deck but without cloud save support this isn't worth much to me, then …
- [2]
Good game but not a good version to play. - no achievements - no cloud save - poor audio (kinda hurts my ear) - not working out of the box for Steam Deck - still showing keyboard commands while im using a controller - layout and settings are confusing to navigate - pointless drm added to a 25 yr old niche game
- [9]
This is my favorite game of all time, nothing I can say about it will ever do justice to everything it gave me in my life. Capcom I ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ love you!
- [6]
An absolute classic! A must play for any JRPG fan that hasn't yet. Also, Capcom, Breath of Fire 3 next please and thank you. :)
- [4]
Before anything else, I bought the game here just to have it in my Steam library. However, you can buy the exact same game on GOG without DRM, plus it includes extra graphics options. GOG did an amazing job restoring this game to work on modern computers. For anyone who has never played it before >buy it! It’s an extremely worthwhile JRPG and one of, if not the most beautiful game from the PlayStation One era. The …
Summarised from 34 of the 338 public posts collected about this game; every point cites the posts behind it ([n] opens the post) and the split is counted from the posts’ own ratings. Updated Oct 10, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
Players who liked Breath of Fire IV talk about the game itself is a beautiful and classic JRPG; those who didn't talk about no cloud save support or achievements. Which matters more to you?
Critics, per Wikipedia
Breath of Fire IV was well received during its original release in Japan, earning a 31 out of 40 from Weekly Famitsu magazine. The game was the best-seller of July 2000, and would go on to sell an estimated 334,000 copies in the region in 2000, which would qualify it for Sony's "PlayStation the Best" label, allowing it to be re-released in September 2002 at a reduced price. The game's English release in North America and Europe met with a similarly good response, with GamePro Magazine awarding it a 5 out of 5 and an Editor's Choice award, claiming "If you believe Final Fantasy IX is the last word in RPGs this year, think again," citing the game's "well-illustrated" graphics and "beautiful…
From the “Reception” section of Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Critic context only — not part of the audience score.
Reactions
60 of 361 · most liked first25 years after its original PlayStation 1 release, Breath of Fire IV finally returns, available right now on GOG, thanks to YOU: the incredible fans who championed this legendary JRPG on the GOG Dreamlist 💜 Grab the game here: bit.ly/BoF_IV_GOG Learn more here: bit.ly/BoF_IV_News
neutral · AI labelView post →We’ve heard your feedback and released a hotfix for Breath of Fire IV that now lets you experience the game in a PSX-like style, making the gorgeous pixel art stand out even more! Read more here: bit.ly/BoFIV_hotfix BoF IV here: bit.ly/BoF_IV_GOG
neutral · AI labelView post →I recommend the game, because it has beautiful visuals and animations, classic JRPG turn-based combat, a vibrant cast of characters and an epic story. I don't recommend *this* release, though, because it's way inferior to GOG's release: - no cloud save support (you have that with GOG) - no achievements or overlay - apparently it works on the Steam Deck but without cloud save support this isn't worth much to me, then - 3rd party DRM on top of Steam despite CAPCOM having already decided to sell…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Really? DRM on a 26 year old game that costs 4,99? Cannot play it on Linux and have to refund now. Just so tired of greedy companies ruining everything. If people want to get this game for free, they will get it. I bought it through steam and now I am being punished for it. Unbelievable.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Good game but not a good version to play. - no achievements - no cloud save - poor audio (kinda hurts my ear) - not working out of the box for Steam Deck - still showing keyboard commands while im using a controller - layout and settings are confusing to navigate - pointless drm added to a 25 yr old niche game
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This is my favorite game of all time, nothing I can say about it will ever do justice to everything it gave me in my life. Capcom I ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ love you!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I....I just...Huh? What? On APRIL FOOLS day is when this gets a port onto steam? You released this on GoG close to my wedding day...And for the month of my anniversary you put it on Steam? I mean, this is precisely what I wanted, but...What a wacky day.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Ryu - Breath of Fire IV Trying this game for the 5th time in the past 25 years, hoping to finish it this time! 😅 Everything in the game has so much CHARM!! 😁 #zweiart #bof4 #ryu #breathoffire
positive · AI labelView post →Buy it on GOG, not Steam. Listen, I love this game (I used to own it back when I still had my OG PlayStation), and I want there to be a new entry in the franchise, so I bought it on GOG as soon as I found out it was on there, then bought it on Steam the day after it released here, but somehow, this version is inferior to the GOG version. The controller support is lacking. Somehow, I can skip the intro, but no button on my controller works aside from that. And if I try to use another…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Breath of Fire IV was a very cool game and when I made this #fanart in 2005 it wasn’t even that old! This was considered VERY HIGH RES back then lol Its been out of my portfolio for a very long time but its fun to look at pieces from when I was still learning Photoshop
positive · AI labelView post →Don't buy this here. Go to GoG. This is broken, unplayable garbage. The game won't launch if my controller is connected. But it won't recognize my controller if I connect it after it launches. And it's not designed to be played with a keyboard. So, I can't play it. And I bought it JUST too long ago to get a refund, so I'm pissed. And everything I'm reading online says that the GoG version works better. So, they just released a worse version here, for some reason. Go to GoG. Or..."other means."
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I Love this game! Don't get me wrong. But this version of the game is just unacceptable! First of all... why is there DRM protection on a game this old with almost zero quality of life improvements, with a price tag of 4,99 euros? this just reeks of greed to me. They didn't even bother to implement achivements into this one. only keyboard prompts will be displayed on the screen even if you play with a controller. The sound is bad it can get very loud and annoying at some stages. The only good…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Sadly, as much as I wanted to play this in Steam -- it's actually waaay better to play the original PSX version emulated. This is why people pirate games instead! This seemed like a LAZY PORT for me. It's the same as the GoG Version MINUS some fixes (Like the point sampling instead of forced bilinear filter) The font change felt awkward and cheap. Why change it tho? The original looked WAY better and more retro looking. The music felt flat too without the reverb and they didn't even fix the…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Shameful re-release with a lot of issues. It doesn't even contain the fixes that GOG added after release, it contains additional DRM and it won't work on linux. It's one of my favorite games but I will end up refunding it since I can't play it.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →New Breath of Fire IV Fou-Lu artwork from series artist Tatsuya Yoshikawa in celebration of the game launching on Steam! From Yoshikawa: "Back from the flu B... anyway... it's a really great game, highly recommended!"
neutral · AI labelView post →I love to see GOG + Steam working together to make these old titles available on the platform. I'm gonna stick with my purchase, but I just can't recommend this port. I didn't even put enough time in to gauge the performance, but these are my main issues: - DRM (Seriously? Only in the Steam version at that.) - No button prompts for controller or deck - No achievements (not expected, but I appreciate it when developers implement them in these cases) - No cloud save support Feels like a…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The game is completely non functional on SteamOS as of right now. The game boots into a very outdated launcher that once you click confirm to start the game, will just boot you out. No version of Proton seems to work. If Capcom gets this worked out, I will repurchase the game and give it an actual review.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I bought this game knowing what it was, a port of the original game with no improvements. Here's my $10 to let you know I'm interested Here's my negative review to let you know I want more
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Wyndia Game: Breath of Fire IV Dev: Capcom 🇯🇵 Release: April 27, 2000
neutral · AI labelView post →I've already bought and played in from gog. I instantly bought it here as well as soon as it released. Please Capcom make another Breath of Fire!!!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Capcom I dont care if it is just an emulation i need 3 please for the love of all that is holy bring them all
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It has been 24 years since Capcom released Breath of Fire IV in the US. Breath of Fire IV was the last traditional game in the series, featuring some of the most impressive pixel art in RPGs and unique storytelling with its dual protagonists. Listen: www.rpgfan.com/2017/12/21/r...
neutral · AI labelView post →An absolute classic! A must play for any JRPG fan that hasn't yet. Also, Capcom, Breath of Fire 3 next please and thank you. :)
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's amazing to see GOG and Capcom shaking hands together and getting this fantastic game out to modern audiences, and for $5 you can't go wrong. It also works like an absolute champ on the Steam Deck right out of the box too! One thing I'd suggest however is mapping your back buttons to Enter/Escape since they're required for navigating the main menu. I'd also have loved to have seen a higher framerate than the locked 30FPS, but as this is a port of a port of a Playstation 1 game, it makes…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →- add achievements - add cloud saves - remove the pointless DRM, real fans will buy anyway to support - add an option to use the original pixel art, without that ugly filter - make the game Steam Deck verified - fix the gamepad issues (the pads on my Lenovo Legion Go don't work at all) - port Breath of Fire 3 too after doing all this. I'll give a good review anyway because the game is legendary, part of my childhood and it's great to finally have it on Steam too, but I expect these problems…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I LOVE THIS GAME. I was absolutely excited to see it on steam, but they absolutely did this game dirty. It's definitely a rush job for quick cash from the nostalgia factor. No real controller support (literally have to play with keyboard glyphs and the controller buttons get mixed up), sound can suddenly cut out on you, text from original playstation version is better, no steam deck support(though it works on steamdeck). The list goes on. I will say this to everyone you're better off…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Please, if you play this game, make sure you follow this community guide to play the game closer to it's original look and pixel style. These guys are such beasts for doing this, so quickly too even if it is a pretty close copy/paste of the GOG version https://www.dragnier.net/breath-of-fire-iv/breath-of-fire-iv-guides/breath-of-fire-iv-pc-steam-setup-guide/
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Breath of Fire 4 is a great game from the golden era of JRPGs but this port is not great. Honestly you'd have a better experience emulating the game. If that makes you feel guilty, then consider buying this so you don't feel guilty, then emulate it.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Currently playing: Breath of Fire IV Last played: Shadow Hearts Covenant Want to play next: 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim Your Game of the Year: Metaphor ReFantazio
neutral · AI labelView post →To preface this review: >I bought this to support a re-release/port of my favorite game, ever. >I played this game for HUNDREDS of hours, on disc, on Playstation. >I went on a quest to find (and overpay for) a physical copy again in my 20's after losing my original, childhood copy. They ♥♥♥♥♥♥ up my favorite game of all time by: -Adding an unnecessary launcher. -Adding a weird filter over the whole thing that you cannot disable through the launcher. -Making it so you cannot close the game…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →game is good but this port sucks. capcom PLEASE fix the numerous problems this port has. at the very least, allow the steam overlay to work.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Ok, so I cherish this game and it is one of my all-time favorites. I was thrilled to see it pop up on Steam and immediately threw money at it so that Capcom would know that there's an audience for the series, find a way to port BoF3, and release more classics in the future. However, this review is going to serve as a protest/petition to Capcom to patch and correct the following: - Terrible launcher that contains options that should be in the game proper. - Inability to remove blurry…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Absolute gem. Play it if you haven't already, and if you have, use this as an excuse to play it again!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Before anything else, I bought the game here just to have it in my Steam library. However, you can buy the exact same game on GOG without DRM, plus it includes extra graphics options. GOG did an amazing job restoring this game to work on modern computers. For anyone who has never played it before >buy it! It’s an extremely worthwhile JRPG and one of, if not the most beautiful game from the PlayStation One era. The hand-painted textures and art style still hold up incredibly well even today.…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It time for y’all to get the next batch of Retro Game Zine issues! Get one or all! Issue 005, 006, and 007 cover Breath of Fire IV (w/ @aidanis.fun), Blue Stinger, and Final Fantasy Mystic Quest (w/ @wbhwrites.bsky.social). More contributor details soon! www.kickstarter.com/projects/dar...
neutral · AI labelView post →An extremely bare bones port of an excellent game. It's insane to me that a port of a console game doesn't have basic controller support.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Awful port unfortunately. Even at $5 I'd just recommend emulating the game. None of the in game settings stay after closing the game. It does not have proper controller support/key bindings so it'll always show keys regardless. In a game that has a bunch of little mini games it is annoying. Doesn't have any QOL stuff you'd expect (fast forward, sliders, turn off encounters). Has pointless DRM. They eventually patched it but the sprites were messed up at launch also. BOF4 is a good game. This…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Retro Game Zine Issue 005 delves into the late-gen PSX RPG classic Breath of Fire IV! This issue features a special contribution from @aidanis.fun. Get info on the game's history, analysis, personal impact, photos, and more! Purchase info in the thread 👆
neutral · AI labelView post →I do not reccomend this game. It's buggy, and crashes all the time. The developers didn't put effort into this Steam port.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →No cloud save. Button mapping is awful. You can play this game multiple different ways, including GoG. The Steam experience for this game is poor.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →To celebrate Breath of Fire IV's release on Steam at the beginning of April, I've redone the GOG Dragnier Fan Trailer from last year, now with a point-filtered look to let the pixel art shine. Let me know what you love about the fourth game! 🔥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6IY...
positive · AI labelView post →🔥 25th Anniversary 🔥 Breath of Fire IV released on PlayStation in North America on this day, 7 months after its launch in Japan! Here's a screenshot of Capcom USA's press release for the game, archived from the old version of their website! Nab the PC version on sale on GOG!
neutral · AI labelView post →Soooooo I was editing my Breath of Fire IV playthrough and realized the final boss took me AN HOUR AND A HALF to kill. I may have been under-leveled, and I may have neglected masters in the game after a while, but I stubbornly pressed on. At least I killed it on my first try, right? 😂
positive · AI labelView post →This is a legendary game. but piss poor port. 10/10 game untouchable. but 3/10 port because capcom sucks the game crashes often. so be sure to save your game, make it a habit. the sound of Ershin's hoverjet is too loud and it overides the game audio. i dont remember it being that noisy and doesnt sound as good. and there's no achievement too. I feel robbed and nostalgia baited. im considering to get a refund right now..
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Can capcom please bring all Breath of Fire games to steam with achievements? This is capcoms best franchise They should put all their other games in the ground and focus on this franchise instead.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Port aside, this is one of the classic grandmasters of JRPGs.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Breath of Fire IV has maybe the best pixel art I've ever seen. Great game too!
positive · AI labelView post →Refunded for now. The game didn't work out of the box on Bazzite (I can only access the launcher configuration), so I'm waiting for a workaround or a formal fix. It’s disappointing to see DRM on a 20 y/o single-player title. I’ll gladly repurchase once there’s a confirmed fix for Linux.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I was ready to legitimately buy this game and enjoy it, but pointless DRM kills it for me.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I waited for decades. If Breath of Fire III also was released on Steam I would die a happy Dude.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →No cloud saves and Enigma DRM over the GOG Version being DRM free. It's a straight downgrade compared to GOG.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Breath of Fire IV (2000) by Capcom for PlayStation. Art by Tatsuya Yoshikawa. Players control both the hero and the villain In this game.
neutral · AI labelView post →One of the best J-Rpg ever made. really need a remake
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I know the Gog version is DRM free, I bought that too. I know the ISO is the best experience, that's how I play this. Still bought this, idgaf. I'm never playing this version anyway. Lazy port but I'm just excited it exists, now give us BoF3 now, please.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Stupid not to turn on cloud saves. Come on guys..
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Breath of Fire IV (PC) has been discounted again for the Winter Sale on @gog.com! Here's your chance to grab this classic RPG for just a few zenny, or get it as a gift for friends or family for the holidays! Offer ends Jan. 3, 2026 9:59 EET / 2:59am EST! bit.ly/FansBoF4
neutral · AI labelView post →An ancient dragon stirs again, breathing with all the weight of time.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I don't think I've ever rushed to Steam so fast to purchase a game. I played Breath of Fire III 18 years ago, and it's still my favourite game to this day. Haven't had the opportunity to play BOF4 before, the port seems fine but I wish I could change the controllers. Really really hope Capcom ports BOF3!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This is a great JRPG with one of my favourite turn-based battle systems where you can swap members in and out. But I had to refund this. Don't buy it here, get the GoG version instead. This is the GoG version without the enhancements but with added DRM. From the first minutes I played I saw: - Worse framerates than playing it on an emulator or on GoG - The ambient music in the background stops and plays again since it doesn't loop properly. (Might happen on all music tracks, haven't tested…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Not recommend becoz of these : 3rd party DRM not support 3rd party Joycon "Gamesir" - so i use Xbox controller and when afk 10-15mins it dc and cant use it again need to close the game and reopen it to use xbox joycon again...... no bug fix like GOG Ver. no cloud save!! Lazy port from CAPCOM แคปหมู better buy GOG Version
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
Posts are quoted from public profiles with links to the original. Want yours removed? Contact us.
