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. However, the positive experience working on that project has inspired him to create another game, envisioned as a spiritual successor to the beloved Final Fantasy VI. This article explores his new project and its development.

The Successor to Final Fantasy VI

Following the success of Fantasian Neo Dimension, a 2021 release initially intended as his final project, Sakaguchi revealed in an interview with The Verge his desire to create a new game. He aims for this game to act as a successor to Final Fantasy VI. Despite his previous retirement plans, the positive collaborative experience on Fantasian with his team convinced him to embark on this new endeavor. They aim to create something both familiar and innovative, a project Sakaguchi describes as "part two of my farewell note."

Development of Sakaguchi's Latest Project

In a 2024 interview with Famitsu, Sakaguchi confirmed the project's development, stating that approximately a year after script completion, he anticipates reaching a significant milestone within two years. A June 2024 trademark filing by Mistwalker for "FANTASIAN DARK AGE" fueled speculation about a potential Fantasian sequel. While details remain scarce, Sakaguchi confirmed the game will maintain a similar style to his previous fantasy RPGs. No official title or further information has been released.

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. Initially released exclusively on Apple Arcade in 2021, Fantasian received widespread critical acclaim. Reflecting on the collaboration, Sakaguchi noted the "fascinating experience" of completing the circle, returning to Square Enix (where he began his career) for his initially intended final project.

Sakaguchi's journey with Square Enix began in 1983. He directed the first four Final Fantasy titles and served as producer for Final Fantasy VI through Final Fantasy XI. After leaving Square Enix in 2003, he founded Mistwalker, developing titles such as Blue Dragon, Lost Odyssey, and The Last Story. Fantasian, released in 2021, marked his most recent project before this new endeavor. Despite the FANTASIAN Neo Dimension partnership, Sakaguchi remains uninterested in revisiting previous works, identifying himself as a "consumer rather than a creator."