Hironobu Sakaguchi, a name synonymous with the legendary Final Fantasy franchise, has earned the title of “living legend” in the gaming world. His impact on the role-playing game (RPG) genre is undeniable. Though he didn’t invent the RPG, his work transformed it into a foundational genre that developers still build upon decades later.
While Sakaguchi could easily rest on his laurels, he remains a dedicated innovator. In 2021, he led the development of Fantasian, an Apple Arcade exclusive RPG created by his studio, Mistwalker. Originally intended as his swan song before retirement, Fantasian reignited his passion for gaming. Three years later, Sakaguchi is finishing up a console and PC port of Fantasian, aptly titled Neo Dimension. This new version brings the cult hit to a wider audience, offering difficulty adjustments, voice acting, and stunning 4K visuals that showcase its unique diorama art style.
Fantasian’s origins are deeply rooted in Sakaguchi’s past. Inspired by a Japanese SNES classic edition that included Final Fantasy VI, Sakaguchi felt a renewed connection to his roots as a game creator. This sparked his desire to create an homage to classic RPGs, a project that would become Fantasian.
While Fantasian draws inspiration from the past, it also pushes the boundaries of traditional RPG mechanics. Features like the Dimengeon, which allows players to combine multiple random encounters into one challenging fight, and spells that can be manipulated on a touchscreen to target multiple enemies at once, demonstrate Sakaguchi’s commitment to innovation.
However, it is Fantasian’s art style that truly sets it apart. The game’s environments are meticulously crafted using real dioramas, then scanned and integrated into the game. This unique approach stemmed from Sakaguchi’s lifelong love of plastic model making and his desire to translate that passion into a game.
This artistic vision also drew inspiration from another iconic RPG, Chrono Trigger, and its legendary artist, Akira Toriyama. Sakaguchi highlights the similarities between his approach to diorama creation and Toriyama’s artistic philosophy, emphasizing the three-dimensionality of Toriyama’s work despite its flat appearance.
While Fantasian was originally designed for Apple Arcade, it is now poised to become a mainstream success with the release of Neo Dimension. This new version addresses some of the original’s limitations, introducing a new Normal difficulty option and full voice acting. The team also implemented quality of life improvements like increased character movement speed and 4K visuals that enhance the already stunning diorama art style.
Fantasian: Neo Dimension arrives at a critical juncture for the RPG genre. As many RPG franchises move towards real-time action combat, Fantasian stands as a testament to the enduring power of traditional turn-based gameplay. However, Sakaguchi acknowledges the necessity of evolution in gaming and expresses his admiration for the innovative advancements in pixel art.
Despite initially intending Fantasian as his final game, Sakaguchi’s passion for game development has been reignited. He is currently working on a new project with his team from Fantasian, demonstrating that he is far from retiring.
Fantasian: Neo Dimension launches this winter on PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. It promises to be a remarkable return to form for a true RPG legend and a captivating experience for players of all generations.
