A few weeks ago, we heard how Japanese video game composer, Nobuo Uematsu - who has worked on most Final Fantasy games in some capacity and other RPG hits like Chrono Trigger - might be calling it a day due to health issues.
Now, in a bit of an update, Final Fantasy creator and veteran designer, Hironobu Sakaguchi, has stated how the Apple Arcade exclusive, Fantasian, could also potentially be his last project. Here's exactly what he had to say during a chat with VGC:
“I think it is certainly possible that this could be my last project and that was kind of in the back of my mind as we were developing it.”
In saying this, the 58-year-old remains open to the idea of continuing to guide his company (Mistwalker), but says he probably needs a vacation at the very least:
“To be perfectly honest with you, I haven’t given much thought to the next steps for the company or where we want to go, and I think I could use a bit of vacation time in between now and whatever it is we do next. So we’ll see what happens, that remains to be seen.”
Sakaguchi was responsible for the first five instalments in the Final Fantasy series and continued to oversee the series as a writer and producer. He formed Mistwalker in 2004 and went on to create titles like Blue Dragon, The Last Story, and now Fantasian.
While there's been no mention of Fantasian coming to the Switch (at least yet), the trailer - featuring handcrafted dioramas - is still worth a look.
[source videogameschronicle.com]
Comments 39
I kinda stopped paying attention when they abandoned console games really!
I always knew Final Fantasy was false advertising as soon as they made a sequel.
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@BloodNinja Wait, are you saying ff16 won't be the last one? Curses! Fooled again!
The guy helped create and codify an entire subgenre of games. A legend of Miyamoto's caliber.
And this is a paragraph where I plug my #portbegging for Blue Dragon and The Last Story (and ASH while we're at it, even though DS original has a patch).
@BloodNinja Final Fantasy's "false advertising" has nothing on Plumbers Don't Wear Ties.
@Chowdaire LOOOOOOL
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@nhSnork Huh?
@nhSnork My plumber wore a tie at his court appearance for exposing himself in public. Take that!
Plot twist: It's not going to be his last project. He's hinting at a sequel for his next game.
I respect this man alot, but going out after making a mobile game would be one of the lamest ways to leave the industry ever.
Now that it was mentioned...could The Last Story come to the Switch? Missed out on the original and love what I've read about it.
I really hope this one gets a Switch port if it's any good - I absolutely love everything I've heard about it so far, and I'd be willing to throw tons of money at it. But I can't do that when it's an Apple exclusive! I know plenty of Apple Arcade games came to consoles or PC eventually, hopefully Mistwalker picks up the ball this time.
Noooo! Remaster or make another The Last Story for Switch please!
Bippity boppity boo, no console port for you. Play Rune Factory instead, or else you might have something to dread~
The perfect retirement would be getting the Dream team back together for one last game.
So it will be the Final Final Fantasy?
For the man who created a genre defining franchise to go out with a mobile game and an exclusive one at that is a bit sad, not gonna lie...
Oh well, he had a good run!
actually, not a big deal as he basically does not make games anymore
Coincidentally I happen to be playing Ff7 remake this week so this news personally comes as a big blow. I've loved so many FF games and am absolutely loving, loving FF7. Imo easily one of the best games of 2020. Major respect to the dude. I hope he finds peace in happiness in everything that's to come when he retires.
@X-blades he has nothing to do with Final Fantasy 7 Remake
@BloodNinja That's not how that works. Each game is a "Final Fantasy", that's why there is a different cast in each one. It's each cast's "Final" fantasy.
@Chamver Even that doesn't work, see, for instance, the multiple versions of Final Fantasy 13.
Don't trust a man who names his games "Final" and "Last" all the time when he claims his next game would be his last or final one.
@sanderev They only started making sequels/prequels after Sakaguchi Left. I think his last Final Fantasy game with him involved was IX.
Final fantasy went downhill since this guy abandoned Squaresoft, and the he goes and creates the best mobile game ever “Terra battle“. (Wich is not available in my region obviously because, latin america be damned) I really hope that they release Terra Battle on switch.
@BlackenedHalo haha you are correct. My apologies, as I knew he made quite a number of the initial titles but lol forgot it was like 1-6, 8-12? I think. Nonetheless my points and praise still stands as FF4 is my second favourite. Not to mention all his other effort he has put into games such as chrono trigger, kingdom hearts and blue dragon (producing roles for those? )
Doesn’t sound like he really wants it to be his last. I hope Nintendo gives him one more chance at greatness with another project.
@Dezzy when did they abandon consoles?
On ps4 I have final fantasy type zero, final fantasy 14, final fantasy 15, final fantasy 16 (incoming), final fantasy 7 remake, World of final fantasy, Dissida NT, final fantasy X/X-2 remaster and final fantasy 12 remaster
That guy clearly doesn't know the meaning of "final" and "last", which is good in that case
Honestly bemused that Sakaguchi would wish to bow out with an Apple Arcade game. I suppose life's about more than smash hit videogames?
@UltimateOtaku91 They're not talking about Final Fantasy, it's about the creator's new studio. They haven't made a console game since the Wii days.
@TheDavyStar I really do not understand why Mistwalker completely ignores Switch
Fantasian looks really good. Love that diorama style. If I want to play it I don't care that it's on mobile. I have a phone. Do you guys not have phones?
@UltimateOtaku91
Those are Square Enix. I'm talking about Mistwalker, Sakaguchi's company. They made 3 console games then permanently switched to mobile.
I hope before he retires he does The Last World (sequel to The Last Story) on Switch. I really liked the ideas that were shown for the sequel but it looks like mobile was more important.
I never really cared for Final Fantasy but The Last Story, despite its flaws partly related to running on hardware that was getting a bit outdated, is one of my favorite Wii games and one of my favorite RPGs in general. Would love to see it get a remaster and a sequel on Switch before Sakaguchi calls it a career.
The Last Story and Lost Odyssey were classics. It'd be great to see them given a facelift and re-released on modern consoles.
This guy has been saying the same thing forever. Previously he said it about The Last Story.
Final Fantasy X was the last FF game Sakaguchi had a relevant part of. That's why modern Final Fantasy games can't hold a candle to the heyday ones. Take away the heart of the series and what can you expect.
Reminds me a lot of Bravely Default with the tiny characters navigating a big diorama-esque area.
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