Hironobu Sakaguchi’s Fantasian Breaks Free This Holiday

This week’s Nintendo Direct thrilled JRPG fans with the announcement that Fantasian will finally hit other platforms later this year. Fantasian is the latest work from Mistwalker Studios and Hironobu Sakaguchi. Alongside him, Nobuo Uematsu composed the music, possibly his final project before retirement. It feels like a last hurrah for two of the biggest names in JRPGs.

I tried the game a while ago and enjoyed it. Despite my enjoyment, I decided to wait for a port. Why? Because the environmental design deserves to be seen on the big screen.

Originally released in 2021 on Apple Arcade, Fantasian stood out with its unique environmental design. Nearly all environments are crafted from high-quality scans and photos of real, beautiful dioramas. As a former Gunpla enthusiast, this aspect appealed to me. The behind-the-scenes photos and videos show the incredible craftsmanship involved. I highly recommend checking the production videos. Dynamic camera angles enhance exploration, showcasing the elaborate dioramas from multiple perspectives. It’s a visual experience that must be seen to be fully appreciated.

The turn-based battle system of Fantasian is unique as well. Players can guide and bend the angle of their attacks to maximize hits. Additionally, the game allows you to “bank” enemy encounters, filling up the battlefield for efficient grinding. This combination of innovative gameplay and nostalgic design makes Fantasian feel like a homage to the creative era of the PS2. I don’t believe there’s anything else like this on the gaming market right now. At the very least, it’s worth checking out for that. If you’re curious, I recommend trying Fantasian on Apple Arcade if you have a free trial. Otherwise, the game will be available on all consoles and PC in Q4 2024.