Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi has stated that he may be done after Fantasian, echoing claims that Nobuo Uematsu may also be making the game his last project.
In an interview with VGC, Sakaguchi claims that he hasn’t “given much thought to the next steps for the company or where we want to go, and I think I could use a bit of vacation time in between now and whatever it is we do next. So we’ll see what happens, that remains to be seen”.
He then goes on to say that “I think it is certainly possible that this could be my last project… and that was kind of in the back of my mind as we were developing it.”
Video game composer Nobuo Uematsu has also stated that the upcoming Fantasian could be his last game soundtrack.
Both Sakaguchi and Uematsu left Square in 2004 shortly after Square merged Enix to create the Square Enix company most people know today.
Sakaguchi went on to found the studio Mistwalker shortly after his departure from Square while Uematsu became a freelance composer and continued to work on Final Fantasy titles among others.
While it’s not confirmed that Fantasian will be the last game for Sakaguchi or Uematsu, it’s clear that both industry veterans are considering what comes next.
Fantasian launches 2021 for Mac, iOS (via Apple Arcade), and Apple TV.
You can find the full rundown (via the App Store) below.
Fantasian by Mistwalker Corp. — From the creator of Final Fantasy, comes the next breathtaking adventure from industry legend Hironobu Sakaguchi. Fantasian is an exciting, new RPG set against a spectacular backdrop made from over 150 handmade dioramas that blends physical environments and 3D characters.
STORY
The tale begins in a realm governed by machines. Within this multi-dimensional universe, the balance of “Chaos and Order” becomes a key factor in the struggle for these realms and the machinations of the gods who wish to control them. Players will assume the role of protagonist, Leo, who awakens from a massive explosion only to find himself lost in a strange land with only one memory left to him. As players set out on a journey to reclaim Leo’s memories, they will unravel the mysteries of the bizarre mechanical infection slowly engulfing all that is known to mankind. The captivating story is written by Sakaguchi and is complimented by a sweeping soundtrack by celebrated Final Fantasy composer, Nobuo Uematsu.● New Battle Mechanics
Tapping into his experience from the Final Fantasy franchise, Sakaguchi brings to Fantasian several quality of life improvements to the classic JRPG genre, such as the “Dimengeon Battle” mechanic, which allows players to send previously encountered enemies into a separate dimensional dungeon to streamline combat and maximize uninterrupted exploration of the beautiful locations.
● Hand-Crafted Environments
Each of the 150+ dioramas has been crafted by the masters of the Japanese “Tokusatsu” or special effects industry. Creating Fantasian’s real-life miniature sets are veterans who have worked on projects like the Godzilla films, Attack on Titan, and Ultraman. Fantasian serves as a vehicle to bring these amazing works of art into the digital space via Apple Arcade.
● Legendary Soundtrack
Celebrated composer Nobuo Uematsu, known for his work on the Final Fantasy series and games such as Lost Odyssey and Blue Dragon, created a soundtrack to compliment the memorable and magical world of Fantasian from catchy battle tunes to heart-pumping dungeon pieces, and moving character themes.
● Novel Storytelling
To tell an epic story, a ‘novel’ approach was used in the form of a “Memory” system where players encounter and collect various memories, journal entries, and notes presented as miniature in-game novels to flesh out the story, realms, and characters of Fantasian. These bite-sized novels have unique artwork, music, and sound effects to offer players a truly immersive experience.
Image: Youtube
