Final Fantasy II: Playable Golbez Edition

This hack alters events of the game such that Golbez joins the party after Cecil and friends destroy the Giant of Babil. The story has been tweaked so that this development makes sense in context. Edge is demoted to a non-playable character in order to make room for Golbez.

Other changes include: a modified party lineup at various points throughout the game, many new equipment and tool items, the restoration of dummied commands and spells, overall refinement of the script, and more.

We are currently on Version 3.1, the eighth release of this hack. This release only addresses bugs from previous versions.

Thank you to everyone who tries the hack!

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| Final Fantasy II/IV SNES |
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| - GOLBEZ EDITION - |
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| Version 3.1 |
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| Release: 06-11-2017 |
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| - By - |
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| "Fauntleroy" |
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| fedorajoe@hotmail.com |
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| Table of Contents |
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I...........Introduction
II........Update History
III...Setup Instructions
IV........Special Thanks


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| I. Introduction |
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Thank you for downloading my GOLBEZ EDITION patch for Final Fantasy
II/IV (Super Nintendo Entertainment System version).

Final Fantasy II/IV was one of my favorite video games as a child.
I loved the world of Cecil and his friends and created a "sequel"
of sorts using Mario Paint and my VCR. I was about twelve years
old at the time. That was over 30 years ago! :)

I remember wasting many hours using Game Genie codes to get a
glitchy version of Golbez as a playable character. The game gave
us just a hint of what a playable Golbez would be like, and darn
it, I wanted more! This hack is my answer to that childhood dream.

The hack alters events of the game such that Golbez joins the party
after Cecil and friends destroy the Giant of Babil. Obviously this
requires many other changes along the way, to the party lineup, and
so forth.

I don't want to spoil everything, but I will say upfront that Edge
is no longer a playable character. One of the final five teammates
had to go to make room for Golbez. I like Edge, but I find him to
be the least vital of the final five characters to the overall
storyline. Also, Edge is the character most similar to how I
envision Golbez in terms of his stats, equipment, etc. So, Edge
was the natural choice to be converted into a fully-playable
Golbez. Edge is still a part of the game world, though. Trust me,
he will pop up from time to time!

Lots of other changes were made, too. Some are big and some are so
small that you might never notice them. The changes are relatively
minor until Cecil reaches Troia, and become more pronounced after
Cid rescues the team from the Tower of Babil.


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| II. Update History |
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06-11-17 - Version 3.1 Update Release includes these changes:
- This is strictly a bugfix release.
* Rydia's special magic still listed as Call in the menus,
rather than Summn.
* A misplaced byte causing the NPC Kain from the prologue to
reappear in the Baron lobby in the late game.
* Another misplaced byte causing some NPCs to disappear from
Damcyan in the late game.
* Random typos.


08-23-16 - Version 3.0 Update Release includes these changes:

- This version is a complete rebuild from the ground up using
the brilliant FF4kster editing program designed by Pinkpuff!
Here's a quick overview of what's new:
* All new text, rewritten from back to front! This means
no more engrish... but the tone is still true to the
original 1991 North American release. (And yes, "You
spoony bard!" was intentionally left in.)
* Many enemies and enemy abilities were renamed to make
them more in line with more recent releases of the game.
* Item and spell names are now all consistent with those
used in my General Leo Edition hack of Final Fantasy VI.
* BUG FIX: Golbez will now display properly in the
Chocobo's Forest, Chocobo's Village, and when loading a
saved game in the Lunar Subterrane.
* Golbez's Taunt command was pretty underwhelming in the
earlier releases, so his commands are now Pressure and
Cecil's Dark attack.
* Golbez's stats now reflect his Level 50 stats in The
After Years, including still having spells left to learn
when he joins the party.
* Damcyan is no longer depopulated!
* You can now find Cid in Baron's prison during the raid
on the castle.
* The auto-battle between Edge and Rubicante is restored.
* Fusoya's Regen command now restores 100 HPs per round.
* New treasure chests! New shops! New townspeople!
* There are a handful of new items, including shields.
* Minor adjustments were made to some treasure, shops,
item stats, prices, etc.
* Yes, those are Red Mages you see in some towns!
* And some fun secrets for you to find yourself! :)

This version of the hack can still be downloaded at:
www.mediafire.com/file/tbqrb06v5cc2mbb/golbezHack08-23-16.7z


10-01-14 - Version 2.1 Update Release includes these changes:

- It was just brought to my attention that a glitch in the
last release prevented Cid from equipped the body armors and
helmets that he should be able to use. I am sorry that so
much time went by without this being noticed.

This version of the hack can still be downloaded at:
www.mediafire.com/download/lh35gl2dks85po0/golbezHack10-01-14.zip


03-24-14 - Version 2.0 Update Release includes these changes:

- At long last, and with the help of some expert hackers, I've
finally given Golbez his Pressure (Press) and Taunt commands
as seen in The After Years. This means that Golbez no
longer has the Dark Wave command, but I don't think this is
a big loss. Pressure attempts to cast Hold on all enemies,
as it does during the boss fight with Golbez at the Dwarf
Castle. Taunt, if successful, will cause the target's next
attack to only target Golbez.
- It came to light that Porom's Crocodile Tears (Tears)
command really is entirely useless, since all it does is
decrease an enemy's resistance to stealing, and none of the
party members can steal. I therefore changed the command so
that it instead attempts to confuse all enemies, as seen in
Final Fantasy IV DS.
- FuSoYa's Regen ability now restores 50 HP per turn, rather
than 10, and no longer paralyzes FuSoYa while in effect.
- Golbez's arsenal of Black Magic spells has been reduced in
order to match what he has in The After Years. In other
words, he no longer has status ailment magic. This brings
some additional balance to the party setup.
- Likewise, the White Magic lists for Cecil and Rydia have
been changed to more closely reflect their abilities in The
After Years as well as Final Fantasy IV DS.
- I was also shown how to edit the "who can equip what"
tables, so now the equipment setup for Golbez is exactly as
I originally intended. In short, he can now use all basic
swords, all rods, shields up through the Genji (he now comes
equipped with one), plus all of Dark Knight Cecil's gear.
Additionally, as seen in The After Years, he can also use
most hammers and most spears.
- In keeping with other installments in the series, Toroia is
now "Troia" and the Clerics are now "Epopts."
- Additionally, some spells have been renamed to more closely
match naming conventions in more recent Final Fantasy games.
- Lastly, there is a boss now at the end of the Sylvan Cave,
and defeating it will result in one very, very cool reward!

This version of the hack can still be downloaded at:
www.mediafire.com/download/ivt0428vdowt6nd/golbezHack03-24-14.zip


08-12-13 - Version 1.4 Update Release includes these changes:

- It was recently pointed out to me that one of the updates in
Version 1.2 accidentally led to bugs with the Black Chocobo
Farm in Toroia. It was actually impossible to enter the
lower level of the farm or interact with any characters
inside. This bug is now repaired.

This version of the hack can still be downloaded at:
www.mediafire.com/download/79yawe08fr84lra/golbezHack08-12-13.zip


01-01-13 - Version 1.3 Update Release includes these changes:

- The White Magic learning lists have been modified for all
characters who use White Magic. First, the Safe, Shell, and
Dispel spells are now learned normally. Additionally, the
White Magic lists for Rydia and Cecil are expanded.
- This might be controversial, but Tellah no longer gains these
"overpowered" spells: Cure4, Life2, Fire3, Ice3, and Bolt3.
He does get Safe, Shell, and Dispel, for what it's worth.
- Similarly, Porom can no longer learn Holy and Palom can no
longer learn Meteo. I get that these kids are prodigies and
all, but it doesn't seem right for them to get these spells.
- I had several people ask for a special throwable item to be
used with Cid's new Throw command. So, I dummied out the
Piggy's Stick item that was introduced for the last release
and replaced it with the Wrench consumable item.
- Speaking of which, the Piggy's Stick and the Excalipur had
graphical glitches when used with the Throw command. These
errors are now corrected.
- I also made adjustments to some shop inventories, primarily
to accomodate the Wrench item. You can now buy Wrenches at
Agart, Cave Eblana, Tomra, and the Land of Monsters.
- Likewise, some treasure chests were changed, primarily so
that Wrenches can be found along the way.
- Various minor bug fixes.

This version of the hack can still be downloaded at:
mediafire.com/download/ykpoivihzhy2geu/golbezHack01-01-13.zip


12-01-12 - Version 1.2 Update Release included these changes:

- There are two new boss monsters: one is in the Lunar
Subterrane and one is in the Lunar Core. But watch out!
While they're certainly not "super bosses," they aren't
exactly pushovers, either!
- Existing boss monster difficulty is increased, particularly
in sections of the game now featuring a stronger party.
- Formerly dummied-out commands no longer produce blank
message windows when executed.
- Edward's Heal command now restores a respectable amount of
health when used. It's actually worth using.
- Cid can now use the Throw command (guess this is where Luca
learned it). Also, the Peep command was renamed "Study."
- The Chain, Blitz, and Firebute whips now cast Flood, Blitz,
and Flame when used in battle, respectively.
- Seven new pieces of equipment were added since the last
update.
- The Image, Pin, and Smoke spells can be accessed by using
new equipment items in battle.
- I accidentally dummied-out the Elven Bow in the previous
releases. This has been remedied. (Sorry!)
- The Safe effect of the Defender sword and the Shell effect
of the Elven Bow are restored.
- The Wooden Hammer casts a weak Bolt2 when used in battle.
This was partially implemented in the original game.
- The later knife-type weapons produce the same effect as the
Dancing Knife when used in battle.
- There are two new tool items at the Silvera item shop.
- Some other shop inventories were adjusted.
- Some equipment powers and attributes were adjusted.
- Some treasure chest contents were adjusted.
- Some enemy names were changed or updated.
- Late game bosses now drop $5000 rather than $0.
- Various minor bug fixes.

This version of the hack can still be downloaded at:
www.mediafire.com/download/cwmr2gxaoy4azgi/golbezHack12-01-12.zip


02-12-12 - Version 1.1 Update Release included these changes:

- Golbez is now left-handed as seen in The After Years.
- Typographical errors in new dialogue text were corrected.
- Some enemy names were changed or updated.
- All "normal" enemies now have item drop lists.
- Existing enemy item drop lists were adjusted.
- Stated and actual MP costs for summon spells now match up.
- Some spell MP costs were adjusted.
- Some equipment powers and attributes were adjusted.
- Some item monetary values were adjusted.
- Some shop inventories were adjusted.

This version of the hack can still be downloaded at:
www.mediafire.com/download/xqnok5qpqtvb7j8/golbezHack02-12-12.zip


11-27-11 - Version 1.0 Initial Release

This version of the hack can still be downloaded at:
www.mediafire.com/download/ui5w40mx766m3xu/golbezHack11-27-11.zip


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| III. Setup Instructions |
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You will need the 061117golbezhack.ips file as well as an unaltered
copy of the Final Fantasy II SNES American release ROM.

Recommended ROM:
* Final Fantasy II (U) (V1.1)
* Must not have a header
* Unmodified ROM CRC32: 76396414
* Patch Applied CRC32: B92C0E06

Please do not ask me for ROMs; I will not provide them.

I recommend using the Lunar IPS utility to apply the patch to the
ROM. As of this writing, you can download Lunar IPS here:

http://fusoya.eludevisibility.org/lips/

To apply the patch:

1.) Open Lunar IPS and click the Apply IPS Patch button.

2.) Select the 061117golbezhack.ips file.

3.) Select the ROM.

4.) You're all set! It's that easy!

As far as which emulator to use, I personally like Snes9X.

Snes9X has its own website:

http://www.snes9x.com/

Final Fantasy II (U) (V1.1)
Unmodified ROM CRC32: 76396414
Patch Applied CRC32: B92C0E06