Valis IV is the final PC Engine episode in a series that prides itself on tough Castlevania-style action and cute-girl cinematics. It doesn't feature the same sort of ingenious level design that is on display in III's finest stages, nor does it star characters as cool as III's, and its music is disappointing. However, it definitely sports the greatest graphics of the PCE Valis bunch, and it's long and consistently challenging, whereas its brethren are either short and easy (the first and second episodes) or wildly erratic (III). It should be no surprise to Valis veterans that the controls aren't quite perfect, but with practice and careful observation, you can indeed devise plans to complete each stage in perfect fashion, making the whole experience very rewarding--if frustrating at times. It and its immediate predecessor are kind of like the action-platformer equivalents of R-Type in this respect.
The stages look good and feature cool, tough enemies; and, for the most part, they challenge you consistently rather than alternating between easy and incredibly difficult segments like III's do.
Some of IV's higher-level challenges, like the fourth-stage cathedral ascent, can be tedious and irritating, without feeling as rewarding or as cleverly constructed as III's most difficult board layouts. The level-draining fetuses towards the end make real nuisances of themselves.
Rough it all out and you'll be treated to lots of nice cinemas.
There are lots of bosses, too. These fights can be long and brutal. Prepare to deal with some unexpected opponents before all is said and done.
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