Hironobu Sakaguchi, the creator of Final Fantasy, initially planned to retire after completing Fantasian. However, the positive experience of working with his team on that project has inspired him to create another game, envisioned as a spiritual successor to the beloved Final Fantasy VI. This article explores his new project and its development.
The Successor to Final Fantasy VI
Following the success of Fantasian Neo Dimension, initially released in 2021, Sakaguchi revealed in an interview with The Verge his desire to create a new game. While he initially intended Fantasian to be his final project, the rewarding collaboration with his team led him to pursue another venture. This new game, he hopes, will serve as a successor to Final Fantasy VI, blending familiar elements with fresh innovation. He describes the project as "part two of my farewell note," hinting at a concluding chapter in his illustrious career. The same team behind Fantasian will collaborate on this new endeavor, aiming to create something both familiar and new.
Development of Sakaguchi’s Latest Project
In a 2024 interview with Famitsu, Sakaguchi confirmed the project's existence, stating that approximately a year after script completion, he anticipates reaching a significant milestone within two years. The June 2024 trademark filing for "FANTASIAN DARK AGE" by Mistwalker fueled speculation among fans about a potential Fantasian sequel. While details remain scarce, Sakaguchi confirmed the project will maintain a style consistent with his previous fantasy RPGs. No official title or further information has been released.
Reuniting with Square Enix for FANTASIAN Neo Dimension
Mistwalker's partnership with Square Enix brought FANTASIAN Neo Dimension to PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch in December 2024. Originally released exclusively for Apple Arcade in 2021, Fantasian garnered critical acclaim. Reflecting on the collaboration, Sakaguchi described the experience as "fascinating," noting the full-circle moment of returning to Square Enix, where his career began, to release what he initially envisioned as his final work.
Sakaguchi's journey with Square (now Square Enix) spans from 1983, where he directed the first Final Fantasy and subsequent mainline titles, eventually serving as producer for Final Fantasy VI through Final Fantasy XI. After departing in 2003, he founded Mistwalker, developing titles like Blue Dragon, Lost Odyssey, and The Last Story. Despite the recent partnership, Sakaguchi maintains his focus on new creations and expresses no interest in revisiting previous Final Fantasy titles or other past works, considering himself a consumer rather than a creator at this stage.
