Final Fantasy Creator Can't Stop, Won't Stop; Hopes to Create FF6's Spiritual Successor

Hironobu Sakaguchi, the creator of Final Fantasy, initially planned to retire after Fantasian, but the joy of collaborating with his team has inspired him to create a spiritual successor to Final Fantasy VI. Read on to discover more about this exciting new project and its development.

Final Fantasy Creator Returns for One Last Game

A Spiritual Successor to Final Fantasy VI

Following the success of Fantasian Neo Dimension, initially released in 2021, Hironobu Sakaguchi has announced his intention to create a new game inspired by Final Fantasy VI. In an interview with The Verge, Sakaguchi revealed that he initially intended Fantasian to be his final project before retirement. However, the positive experience working with his team has changed his mind. He aims to create a game that serves as "a successor to Final Fantasy VI," blending familiar elements with innovative new ideas. He describes this new project as "part two of my farewell note."

The collaborative spirit and enjoyment of working with the Fantasian team played a pivotal role in his decision to undertake this new endeavor. Their shared goal is to create a game that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

Development of Sakaguchi's Latest Project

In a 2024 interview with Famitsu, Sakaguchi confirmed the project's existence, stating that roughly a year after script completion, he anticipates reaching a significant development milestone within approximately two years. In June 2024, Mistwalker filed a trademark for "FANTASIAN DARK AGE," fueling speculation among fans about a potential sequel.

While the game's title remains unannounced, Sakaguchi confirmed it will align with his previous work, primarily fantasy RPGs.

Reuniting with Square Enix for FANTASIAN Neo Dimension

Mistwalker collaborated with Square Enix to bring 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 and is considered one of the best Apple Arcade games. Reflecting on the collaboration, Sakaguchi stated, "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 long and storied career began at Square (now Square Enix) in 1983. He directed the first four mainline Final Fantasy titles and produced Final Fantasy VI through XI before departing in 2003 to found Mistwalker. Mistwalker has produced notable titles such as Blue Dragon, Lost Odyssey, and The Last Story. Fantasian, released in 2021, marked his most recent project before this new venture.

Despite the recent partnership with Square Enix, Sakaguchi remains focused on his new project and has no plans to revisit Final Fantasy or his previous works, stating that he has transitioned from creator to consumer.