Hironobu Sakaguchi, the creator of Final Fantasy, is back in the game development arena! Initially planning retirement after Fantasian, he's now embarking on a new project aiming to be a spiritual successor to Final Fantasy VI. Read on for details.

A Final Fantasy VI Legacy

Following the successful launch of Fantasian Neo Dimension (initially released in 2021), Sakaguchi revealed in an interview with The Verge that he's been inspired to create another game. While Fantasian was intended as his swan song, the positive experience working with his team has spurred him to create a new title, envisioned as a spiritual successor to Final Fantasy VI. This new endeavor will be "part two of my farewell note," he stated.

Development Update

In a 2024 Famitsu interview, Sakaguchi confirmed the project's progress, estimating approximately two more years until completion, given that the script was finalized a year prior. A trademark filing for "FANTASIAN DARK AGE" by Mistwalker in June 2024 fueled speculation of a sequel, though this remains unconfirmed. The new game will maintain a similar fantasy RPG style to his previous works.

Reunion with Square Enix

The collaboration with Square Enix to bring FANTASIAN Neo Dimension to PC, PlayStation 4, 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch (released December 2024) marked a significant event. Initially an Apple Arcade exclusive (and critically acclaimed), this port represented a full circle moment for Sakaguchi, returning to his roots. Despite this collaboration, he remains focused on his new project and has no plans to revisit the Final Fantasy franchise or his past works.