Hironobu Sakaguchi, the visionary behind Final Fantasy, is crafting his final masterpiece – could this be the RPG fans have been waiting for?
Hironobu Sakaguchi, the mastermind behind the iconic Final Fantasy franchise, isn’t ready to retire just yet. He’s planning one final adventure that may capture the magic of his earlier works while offering something fresh for a new generation. After announcing Fantasian in 2021 as his potential swan song, Sakaguchi surprised fans by revealing he’s not walking away just yet. Here's what we know about his next major project, which may feel like a spiritual successor to the beloved Final Fantasy 6.
A “Farewell Note” That Isn’t Quite Final
After the release of Fantasian, Sakaguchi revealed that he had initially planned to retire from game development. However, as he humorously put it, “Humans are greedy creatures, aren’t we?” The incredible experience of working with the Fantasian team made him rethink his decision. He found the process so rewarding that he chose to stay in the game, teaming up with the same creative minds for one final project. After all, it’s not just about the code we write, but the friendships we forge along the way – and, of course, the cash that comes with leveraging the clout of a billion-dollar franchise.
This upcoming title, which is still shrouded in mystery, will reflect his desire to create something familiar but entirely new, drawing inspiration from his work on Final Fantasy 6, a franchise Sakaguchi directed for four mainline titles and produced through to Final Fantasy 11 before founding his own studio, Mistwalker, in 2003.
A Return to What Made FF6 Special
Sakaguchi’s new game is said to be a successor to Final Fantasy 6, which remains a fan favorite for its epic narrative and memorable characters. This is exciting news for those who have longed for a return to the more traditional RPG elements that defined the golden era of JRPGs.
While this game won’t simply be a retread of the past, fans can expect it to evoke the same emotional depth and complex storytelling that made Final Fantasy 6 unforgettable. He mentions that he can't reveal too much about this secretive new game, but he wrote the script a year ago and believes he’ll reach a solid development stage in about two years.
Are you excited to see what Sakaguchi’s next chapter holds, or are you waiting for another traditional Final Fantasy entry? Let us know in the comments!