Hironobu Sakaguchi, the creator of Final Fantasy, initially planned to retire after Fantasian. However, the overwhelmingly positive response to his recent work and the joy of collaborating with his team have inspired him to embark on a new project—a spiritual successor to the beloved Final Fantasy VI. Read on to discover more about this exciting new venture and the latest updates on its development.
The Successor to Final Fantasy VI
Following the success of Fantasian Neo Dimension, initially released in 2021, Hironobu Sakaguchi is setting his sights on a new game deeply inspired by Final Fantasy VI. In an interview with The Verge, Sakaguchi revealed that he initially intended Fantasian to be his final project. However, the positive experience of working with his talented team has changed his mind. He aims to create a game that serves as "a successor to Final Fantasy VI," a project born from the rewarding collaboration that brought Fantasian to life. He describes the upcoming game as "something old but new at the same time," acting as "part two of my farewell note."
Development of Sakaguchi's Latest Project
During a 2024 interview with Famitsu, Sakaguchi confirmed he's actively developing this new project. He estimated that, roughly a year after completing the script, the game is approximately two years away from completion. In June 2024, Mistwalker's trademark filing for "FANTASIAN DARK AGE" fueled fan speculation about a potential sequel. While details remain scarce, Sakaguchi confirmed the project will maintain the fantasy RPG style consistent with his previous works. No official title or further information has been released.
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. Originally an Apple Arcade exclusive (and lauded as one of the platform's best games), this collaboration marked a full circle moment for Sakaguchi, who began his career at Square (now Square Enix). Reflecting on this collaboration, he noted, "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 history with Square Enix spans from 1983, where he directed the original Final Fantasy and its four subsequent mainline entries, eventually serving as producer for Final Fantasy VI through Final Fantasy XI. After leaving in 2003, he founded Mistwalker, creating titles such as Blue Dragon, Lost Odyssey, and The Last Story. Fantasian, released in 2021, and its enhanced version, FANTASIAN Neo Dimension, represent his most recent work. Despite this renewed partnership, Sakaguchi maintains he has no plans to revisit the Final Fantasy franchise or his past works, stating he has transitioned from creator to consumer.
