Hironobu Sakaguchi, the creator of Final Fantasy, is back in the game development scene, despite previous retirement plans. His latest endeavor aims to create a spiritual successor to Final Fantasy VI.
A New Chapter After Fantasian
Following the success of Fantasian Neo Dimension, initially released in 2021, Sakaguchi revealed his intention to develop another game, a project he envisions as a successor to the beloved Final Fantasy VI. In an interview with The Verge, he stated that Fantasian was intended to be his final project before retirement, but the positive experience working with his team led him to pursue this new venture.
The team, responsible for Fantasian, will reunite for this new project, aiming to create a game that blends classic elements with innovative ideas. Sakaguchi describes this game as "part two of my farewell note."
Development Update and Speculation
Sakaguchi confirmed the project's existence in a 2024 Famitsu interview, estimating approximately two years until completion. A trademark filing by Mistwalker for "FANTASIAN DARK AGE" in June 2024 fueled speculation about a potential sequel to Fantasian.
While details remain scarce, Sakaguchi confirmed the game will be a fantasy RPG, consistent with his previous works. No official title or further information has been released.
Reunion with Square Enix
The collaboration between Mistwalker and Square Enix extended to the release of FANTASIAN Neo Dimension on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch in December 2024. This marked a return to Square Enix for Sakaguchi, a company where he began his career and directed the first several Final Fantasy titles. He expressed the unique experience of completing a project initially intended as his final work in collaboration with his former employer.
Despite this partnership, Sakaguchi confirmed he has no plans to revisit the Final Fantasy franchise or his past works, preferring to focus on his role as a gamer rather than a creator within that specific series.
