Final Fantasy Legend Targets Future Creation

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 a new game. In a recent interview, he stated that while Fantasian was intended to be his final project, the positive experience working with his team inspired him to continue. This new project, described as "a successor to Final Fantasy VI," will be a collaborative effort with the same team behind Fantasian. The goal is to create a game that blends classic elements with innovative ideas, acting as "part two of my farewell note."

Development Update and Speculation

Sakaguchi confirmed the project's development in a 2024 Famitsu interview, estimating a two-year timeline for completion. A trademark filing for "FANTASIAN DARK AGE" by Mistwalker in June 2024 fueled speculation about a potential sequel, although this remains unconfirmed. While the game's title remains undisclosed, it's expected to be a fantasy RPG, consistent with Sakaguchi's previous work.

Reunion with Square Enix

The recent multi-platform release of FANTASIAN Neo Dimension (December 2024) marked a reunion between Mistwalker and Square Enix. This collaboration brought the Apple Arcade exclusive title to PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch. Sakaguchi reflected on the experience, noting the significance of returning to his roots. Despite this collaboration, he remains focused on his new project and has no plans to revisit the Final Fantasy franchise.

Sakaguchi's career spans decades, from his early days at Square (now Square Enix) where he directed the first four mainline Final Fantasy titles and produced FFVI-FFXI, to his current work at Mistwalker. His new project promises to be a significant addition to his impressive legacy, even if it's not a direct continuation of his most famous series.