#Overview: Fantasian: Neo Dimension – Destructoid

In 2021, developer Mistwalker self-published an RPG titled Fantasian, helmed by fabled studio head and founder Hironobu Sakaguchi. Based on Sakaguchi, improvement on Fantasian started in 2018 after the developer had not too long ago replayed Ultimate Fantasy VI, one of many well-liked RPGs from the collection that he had labored on. Whereas the concept of a Sakaguchi-led and Mistalker-developed RPG piqued the curiosity of many RPG enjoyers—myself included—the RPG was launched as an Apple Arcade unique, playable solely on Apple units.

Now, three and a half years later, these like myself who don’t have an Apple gadget lastly have the chance to take a look at the RPG on consoles and PC. Mistwalker and Ultimate Fantasy developer and writer Sq. Enix have labored collectively on Fantasian: Neo Dimension, an HD model of the RPG with upgraded graphics, English and Japanese voiceovers, in addition to varied gameplay changes and enhancements.

Regardless of the upgrades, I had fears going into Fantasian: Neo Dimension that the transition from being constructed purely for iOS to consoles and PC might be a tough one. However whereas there are some noticeable indicators and reminders all through Fantasian that the RPG was clearly initially developed for cell units akin to simplistic but massive blocky UI and a few restricted mobility on sure maps, general the Neo Dimension model performs nicely and does an ideal job of hiding the truth that this was initially a cell sport.

Fantasian: Neo Dimension (PC, PS5 [Reviewed], PS4, Xbox Collection X|S, Change)
Developer: Mistwalker
Writer: Sq. Enix
Launched: December 5, 2024
MSRP: $49.99

In case you’re a fan of earlier Mistwalker RPG gems like Blue Dragon, Misplaced Odyssey, and The Final Story, you’ll know that artistic storytelling and distinctive gameplay options to the style are the developer’s robust fits. Fantasian: Neo Dimension begins off with the primary character, Leo, discovering himself affected by amnesia in an odd machine-inhabited world—correctly named the Machine Realm—that serves because the tutorial and introduction to the sport. Accompanied by two peculiar machines which can be serving to him, Leo manages to make use of an odd portal gadget to return to his personal world, the Human Realm.

Because the story progresses you’ll be taught extra in regards to the unusual and fantastical world Leo lives in, the place the individuals who reside there reside alongside an odd Mecha Infestation that has began to plague it. Alongside the way in which. you’ll meet new characters that be part of Leo in his journey in addition to study Leo’s previous and precisely what he was doing that resulted in him ending up with amnesia and within the Machine Realm.

The story of Fantasian: Neo Dimension is a singular and worthwhile journey that followers of traditional Ultimate Fantasy titles like FF6 will take pleasure in. There are even segments the place varied characters’ backstories and pasts are explored in inventive scenes overlaid with full voiceovers the place the character relives reminiscences from their previous, which when you’ve got ever performed Misplaced Odyssey will really feel fairly acquainted.

Talking of artwork, Fantasian makes use of stylized dioramas that look very crisp and detailed with the 4k upgrades of the Neo Dimension model. Paired with the epic rating by legendary composer Nobuo Uematsu, the world of Fantasian: Neo Dimension is an immersive and fantastical one which’s harking back to JRPGs with large artistic worlds to discover. And for Ultimate Fantasy followers, one of many additions to the Neo Dimension model is that gamers can swap out the background music for battles with the battle music from varied Ultimate Fantasy video games together with FFXIV, FFXVI, and FF7 Remake/Rebirth. The battle music in Fantasian is nice, however it’s good to have the choice once you wish to change issues up!

When it comes to gameplay, Fantasian is a turn-based RPG just like what you’d discover in Ultimate Fantasy 1-10. Nonetheless, every character has expertise and assaults with various trajectories you can manipulate to hit a number of enemies and actually change the tide of battle. For instance, the primary character Leo has a ability that shoots in a straight line, so when you can line it up good you may hit a number of enemies. One other character, Kinacan bends her trajectory in a curved line. It’s an added aspect to the usually easy fight system of turn-based RPGs that added some further nuance and technique that actually innovates the system. It’s like Tremendous Mario RPG the place you are able to do a bit extra to make the fight extra partaking and enjoyable.

One other effort to shake up the standard turn-based RPG trope is a system referred to as Dimengeon. Early on in Fantasian, you unlock this technique which lets you primarily “skip” any random battles you’ll in any other case encounter randomly whereas traversing the world. As a substitute, the enemies you’ll have fought are positioned in your Dimengeon Machine. As soon as the machine is full or when you select to manually activate it earlier than then, you’ll have interaction in battle in opposition to all of the enemies saved inside. Particular gimmicks can seem contained in the Dimgengon battles that provide you with varied buffs when attacked. Pairing this with the trajectory system lets you retailer up a bunch of enemies in your Dimengeon Machine earlier than wiping them out in mass. It’s a handy system for skipping battles once you simply wish to rapidly get from level A to level B in addition to to extra simply kill hordes of enemies without delay.

My solely points with Fantasian: Neo Dimension are fairly paltry and principally stem from the RPG initially being made for cell units. As I mentioned earlier than, the UI, and due to this fact menus, dialogue, and world map nonetheless reveals the muse of being on a cell gadget. Issues are blocky and clearly made with the power to faucet on issues simply in thoughts. In Neo Dimension all of it clearly works with a controller, however I do really feel like an up to date UI to look much less blocky and simplistic would have gone a great distance for a world that’s in any other case fairly detailed and exquisite.

Fantasian: Neo Dimension takes all the good issues about traditional JRPGs and finds methods to innovate on them whereas nonetheless preserving the innate attraction and really feel the style is understood for. And whereas there have been loads of nice RPG releases in recent times, there’s one thing particular about Fantasian: Neo Dimension that melds the previous with the brand new to create an enthralling and nostalgic journey in a singular high-fantasy world that’s merely a ton of enjoyable to play.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}