Mistwalker’s Apple Arcade exclusive RPG, Fantasian, is making its way to consoles under the new title Fantasian Neo Dimension. Originally released in two parts in 2021, Fantasian Neo Dimension will encompass all the game’s content when it launches on Nintendo Switch during the 2024 holiday season. The announcement was made during the June 2024 Nintendo Direct, confirming the game’s arrival on the platform in time for the holidays.
Fantasian is a turn-based RPG that follows the journey of an amnesiac protagonist named Leo, who finds himself in a dimension known as the Machine Realm. In the Apple Arcade version, players navigated Leo through maps by tapping on locations, encountering random battles along the way. The game’s unique Dimengeon system allowed players to disable random battles against foes they had already faced, storing them in the titular Dimengeon to explore uninterrupted. However, there’s a limit to how many battles can be stored, preventing players from entirely avoiding combat.
Fantasian received critical acclaim upon its release, even earning the title of Apple Arcade Game of the Year in 2021. Despite its praise and the renowned team behind it, many console RPG fans missed out on the game due to its exclusivity to Apple Arcade. Some may not have even known about its existence.
Mistwalker, founded in 2004 by Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi, is known for acclaimed titles like Blue Dragon, Lost Odyssey, and The Last Story. Fantasian features Sakaguchi’s writing and production, alongside a soundtrack composed by fellow Final Fantasy veteran Nobuo Uematsu. The game distinguishes itself with its unique visual style, blending traditional graphics with handcrafted dioramas that were meticulously scanned into the game. Over 160 of these dioramas were created, resulting in a strikingly realistic visual experience.
Fantasian Neo Dimension is set to be released on Nintendo Switch during the 2024 holiday season, bringing this acclaimed RPG to a wider audience. Console RPG enthusiasts who missed out on the Apple Arcade experience now have the chance to dive into the world of Fantasian and experience its captivating story, unique gameplay, and stunning visuals.
