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—a spiritual successor to the beloved Final Fantasy VI. This article delves into his upcoming project and the latest development news.
The Successor to Final Fantasy 6
Following the success of Fantasian Neo Dimension, initially released in 2021, Sakaguchi revealed his desire to create a new game inspired by Final Fantasy VI. In an interview with The Verge, he stated that Fantasian was intended to be his final project before retirement. However, the rewarding collaborative experience with his team led him to change his mind. He aims to create a game that feels both familiar and innovative, a project he describes as "part two of my farewell note." This new endeavor will reunite him with the same team that brought Fantasian to life.
Development of Sakaguchi's Latest Project
Sakaguchi confirmed in a 2024 Famitsu interview that he's actively working on this new project. He estimated a two-year timeline for completion, having already spent a year on script development. 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 game will maintain a similar style to his previous fantasy RPGs. There's currently no official title or further information available.
Reuniting with Square Enix for FANTASIAN Neo Dimension
Mistwalker partnered with Square Enix to bring FANTASIAN Neo Dimension to PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch in December 2024. Initially released exclusively for Apple Arcade in 2021, Fantasian garnered critical acclaim, frequently cited as one of the best Apple Arcade games. Sakaguchi reflected on the collaboration with Square Enix, stating that "It’s the place where I started my career, so coming full circle through the game I envisioned to be my final work was definitely a fascinating experience."
Sakaguchi's career began at Square (now Square Enix) in 1983. He directed the first Final Fantasy title in 1987, followed by four more mainline entries, before serving as producer on Final Fantasy VI through Final Fantasy XI. He left the company in 2003, establishing his own studio, Mistwalker, where he oversaw titles such as Blue Dragon, Lost Odyssey, and The Last Story. Fantasian (2021) marked his most recent project before this new undertaking. Despite the recent collaboration with Square Enix, Sakaguchi maintains his disinterest in revisiting past Final Fantasy titles or other previous works, identifying himself as a "consumer rather than a creator" at this stage.
