On day 39 of my Final Fantasy Marathon, I finished my first playthrough of Final Fantasy IV The After Years. Today, I started a New Game+ with Ceodore’s Tale.

New Game+

In this version of the game, New Game+ lets you keep your levels and Band abilities from your completed save of the Crystals Tale. Unfortunately, you don’t get to carry over any of your inventory.

I didn’t use Ceodore much beyond his own Tale, so he starts out at level 30. He has the level four Cross Slash, level one Double Jump, and level one Twin Rush bands.

As expected, he sails through the opening enemies, never even taking damage until the scripted fight where he learns his Awaken ability. Cecil comes into the tale at level 57.

I used him in my end-game party, but only after he regained his senses, which happens pretty late in the game. He has max level Holy Blade, level one Machine Break, max level Sky Grinder, max level Iron Flash, max level Effect Form, max level Trinity Crusade, and max level Final Fantasy bands.

Rosa was also in my end-game party. She joins the tale at level 60. She has max level Holy Blade, max level Saint Dive, max level Holy Burst, max level Effect Form, max level Final Fantasy and max level Trinity Crusade bands.

Like Ceodore, I only used Cid when I had to. He comes in at level 30. He has level one Machine Break and level one Final Calcabrina.

The group learns the X Chaser band. Cecil and Rosa obliterate everything, but unfortunately, they barely appear in the game until the Crystals Tale. At least when I’m forced to use them, they shouldn’t be under leveled.

Hooded Man

I was curious what they’d do with the Hooded Man, given that we learn he is Kain, but he doesn’t officially become Kain until late in the game. He comes in at level 63, so apparently he gets to keep Kain’s level from the Crystals Tale.

However, the only band he has is level four Cross Slash. I don’t know if he’ll get his other bands back when he becomes Kain, or if you have to learn them all again.

I decide to call it a night shortly after the Hooded Man joins the party. I save and quit at one hour and nine minutes into Ceodore’s Tale.