FANTASIAN Neo Dimension
Developer: Mistwalker Corporation
Publisher: Square Enix
Platforms: Windows (Reviewed), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Switch
Release Date: 6 December 2024
Price: $49.99 USD / $74.95 AUD – Available Here
Overview
FANTASIAN is a JRPG crafted by industry legends Hironobu Sakaguchi and Nobuo Uematsu. Originally released as an Apple Arcade exclusive in 2021, this game stands as a heartfelt homage to Squaresoft’s era Final Fantasy titles. From its story and gameplay to its music and visuals, FANTASIAN feels like a deliberate celebration of the duo’s legacy. The game is now available for a slew of systems as FANTASIAN Neo Dimension. This new version brings substantial performance improvements and interesting additions.
Story
The game’s narrative is steeped in familiar tropes, evoking memories of classic Final Fantasy titles. The protagonist, Leo, wakes up in a mysterious world with amnesia. From there, the story unfolds as a blend of melodrama, hero’s journey, and existential musings.
While the overall plot is predictable, it’s sprinkled with moments of beauty. Some passages, reminiscent of Lost Odyssey’s “Thousand Years of Dreams,” offer poetic and touching insights into the lives of the characters. However, the melodrama can feel excessive at times, and the dialogue occasionally dips into outright cheesiness. Despite that, FANTASIAN’s varied cast and sprawling storyline were engaging enough to keep me playing.
Gameplay
FANTASIAN sticks closely to traditional turn-based combat, with a few twists to keep things fresh. Initially, battles feel overly simplistic with characters lacking significant ability variety.
Thankfully, as the game progresses and new party members join, the combat evolves into something more engaging. Each new character brings unique abilities, adding layers of strategy and breaking the monotony. However, the slow buildup means the first ten hours can feel like a test of patience before the gameplay fully hits its stride.
The standout feature of FANTASIAN’s combat system is the Dimengeon device. This clever mechanic allows players to avoid random battles by “storing” enemies in a separate dimension. Players can choose when to “clean” the device but once a certain threshold is reached, you are forced to face all the stored enemies at once.
The Dimengeon system streamlines exploration and adds layers of strategy to combat. These battles take place on a larger battlefield, allowing players to target multiple enemies simultaneously. Additionally, bonus icons that pop up in the battlefield can be hit for extra turns or increased attack power. Choosing when and how to engage these cumulative battles can significantly make the combat faster and more dynamic.
That said, regular encounters are too frequent and feel repetitive due to limited enemy variety and straightforward strategies. However, some boss battles stand out with unique gimmicks that feel like puzzles to solve, though they can be punishingly difficult due to hard-hitting attacks. Thankfully, an easier difficulty setting has been introduced in Neo Dimension, making it more accessible for players less accustomed to steep difficulty spikes.
The explorable landscapes of FANTASIAN are a visual delight. Moving your characters through these beautifully rendered settings feels like guiding toy soldiers across a miniature world, evoking a sense of nostalgia for JRPGs of yesteryear. Towns bustle with NPCs who bring a sense of life and vibrancy to the game’s world.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the dungeons. They are linear and empty to a fault, with exploration often interrupted by redundant dialogues. Additionally, while character movement is swift, the controls fail to adapt to perspective shifts, leading to a bit of frustration as you navigate through the game’s environments.
Visuals
The decision to use handcrafted dioramas as the basis for the game’s visuals was inspired, and when it works, it’s breathtaking. The attention to detail in these miniature sets is astonishing, and they lend the visuals a tangible, toy-like quality.
However, not all dioramas are created equal. Some suffer from lower resolution or excessive post-processing effects, resulting in blurry visuals that detract from the overall experience. These inconsistencies, while not game-breaking, are noticeable and can pull players out of the otherwise immersive world.
Audio
The music is, as expected, a highlight of the game. Tracks range from sweeping orchestral pieces to intimate melodies, showcasing Uematsu’s versatility. That said, while the soundtrack is undeniably excellent, it doesn’t quite reach the heights of Uematsu’s best works, such as Final Fantasy VI or Final Fantasy IX. While not groundbreaking, the soundtrack beautifully complements the game’s diorama visuals and emotional storytelling. Still, even a “safe” Uematsu score is leagues above most game soundtracks, and it’s a joy to listen to as you wander through the game’s world.
Neo Dimension offers voice-acting for story segments and some NPCs. The Japanese dub is solid; highlighting characters that originally didn’t stand out much while emphasizing the best ones. Another welcome addition is the inclusion of extra battle themes from the Final Fantasy series, which can even be switched mid-battle.
Overall
FANTASIAN Neo Dimension is a love letter to the JRPGs of the past. Its story, gameplay, and music are steeped in nostalgia, evoking a bygone era of gaming while incorporating just enough modern innovations to feel fresh.
However, the narrative’s over reliance on tropes will probably annoy older players at some points. The linearity of dungeons – which lack even basic puzzles – and the game’s overall uneven pacing prevent it from achieving true greatness.
Despite these shortcomings, FANTASIAN Neo Dimension remains a charming and endearing experience, especially for fans of classic JRPGs. Its diorama-based visuals, innovative Dimengeon system, and Uematsu’s music make it a memorable journey, even if it falls short of the classics it aims to emulate.
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