Hironobu Sakaguchi is a true living legend in the world of art and gaming. The 61-year-old game designer, known as the father of Final Fantasy, has revolutionized the RPG genre and continues to innovate to this day.
In 2021, Sakaguchi led the development of Fantasian, an Apple Arcade exclusive RPG created by his studio, Mistwalker. Initially intended as his swan song before retirement, Sakaguchi surprised everyone by continuing to work on new projects. Currently, he is wrapping up the console and PC port of Fantasian called Neo Dimension, which expands the game’s reach to a wider audience with new features and enhancements.
During a recent interview, I had the opportunity to chat with Hironobu Sakaguchi about the origins of Fantasian and the upcoming changes in Neo Dimension. The game holds a special significance for Sakaguchi, connecting back to his roots as a game creator while also pushing the boundaries of traditional RPG mechanics.
A link to the past
While Sakaguchi is best known for his work on Final Fantasy, his career spans a variety of projects including Super Mario RPG and Parasite Eve. After founding Mistwalker in 2004, Sakaguchi ventured into new territories with games like The Last Story and Terra Battle.
However, it was a nostalgic moment involving the Super NES Classic Edition that triggered Sakaguchi’s inspiration for Fantasian. The experience reminded him of his early days in game development and fueled his desire to create a game that paid homage to classic RPGs.
“I went into the project thinking that perhaps it could be my last game,” Sakaguchi shared.
Fantasian not only delivers a unique turn-based combat system but also showcases a stunning art style created from real dioramas scanned into the game. Sakaguchi’s passion for plastic model making and admiration for artists like Akira Toriyama shaped the game’s visual aesthetics.
As we discussed Fantasian and its similarities to Chrono Trigger, Sakaguchi acknowledged the influence of Toriyama’s art on both games, highlighting the timeless quality of Chrono Trigger and how it resonates with modern titles like Fantasian.
A new dimension
Fantasian initially launched as an Apple Arcade exclusive, reflecting Sakaguchi’s nostalgic ties to the Apple 2 computer that kickstarted his gaming career. However, with the upcoming release of Fantasian: Neo Dimension on multiple platforms, Sakaguchi aims to reach a broader audience and refine the game based on player feedback.
Neo Dimension introduces new features such as voice acting, enhanced visuals, and gameplay adjustments to provide a more polished experience. Sakaguchi’s collaboration with Mistwalker has revitalized the project, turning it into a potential masterpiece that transcends its original platform limitations.
Officially unretired
While Fantasian was initially envisioned as Sakaguchi’s final game before retirement, his experience with the project has reignited his passion for game development. Partnering with Square Enix once again and hinting at future collaborations, Sakaguchi sees a bright future ahead in the industry.
As Sakaguchi plans for new projects and potential sequels, he remains grounded in the understanding that the gaming landscape is constantly evolving. While traditional turn-based RPGs may be waning in popularity, Sakaguchi appreciates the innovation and creativity driving the industry forward.
“We’re quietly in pre-production on something else with that team,” Sakaguchi teased about future projects.
Sakaguchi’s journey in the gaming industry continues with the upcoming release of Fantasian Neo Dimension, showcasing his relentless pursuit of creativity and dedication to crafting memorable gaming experiences.
Fantasian Neo Dimension launches this winter on PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
