Fantasian Neo Dimension presents itself as an ode to classic JRPGs, in particular Final Fantasy VI, with an aesthetic that recalls the Super Nintendo and PlayStation titles. Developed by Mistwalker, the studio founded by Hironobu Sakaguchi, the father of Final Fantasy, the game promises a nostalgic yet modern experience. The plot of Fantasian revolves around Leo, a young man who has lost his memory and finds himself in a world threatened by an evil deity. The game is structured in two distinct parts: the first, more linear and focused on the progression of the main story, and the second, which offers greater freedom of exploration and focuses on the development of the characters.
This division, however, creates a certain imbalance in the narrative rhythm. While the first part flows fluidly and engagingly, the second risks being distracting and fragmented, with excessive freedom that can disorientate the player. The depth of the characters is appreciable, but the main plot loses bite, and the sense of urgency that characterized the first part vanishes. Fantasian stands out for its original artistic direction. The scenarios are made with miniature dioramas, digitized and integrated into the game as pre-rendered backgrounds. This choice gives the title a unique and evocative atmosphere, which evokes the JRPGs of the late 90s. The characters, while not shining with originality in design, move naturally in these detailed and fascinating environments. The monsters, on the other hand, have a more interesting and varied character design.
The audio sector is enriched by the soundtrack composed by Nobuo Uematsu, another legendary name linked to the Final Fantasy saga. The music, although not reaching the heights of his other works, offers quality accompaniment, with songs that range between orchestral sounds and electronic experiments. Fantasian Neo Dimension also introduces voice acting, absent in the original Apple Arcade version. The acting is good overall, and helps make the characters more alive and memorable.
The combat system is a classic turn-based JRPG, but with some interesting additions. The “Dimengeon System” allows you to accumulate the enemies encountered during exploration and face them all together in a single battle. This mechanic, originally designed for the mobile version, speeds up combat and adds a strategic element. The difficulty of the game, however, can be high, especially in the second part. Progression slows down, and the accumulated experience does not seem sufficient to face the most demanding challenges. This aspect, combined with the aforementioned dispersiveness of the second part, can make the experience frustrating for some players.
Fantasian Neo Dimension is a game that pays homage to classic JRPGs, with charming aesthetics, a quality soundtrack and solid gameplay. The story, despite some uncertainty in the second part, manages to involve thanks to its well-characterized characters. However, the high difficulty and slow progression in the second half of the game may be a hindrance for some players. Despite these defects, Fantasian Neo Dimension remains an interesting experience for lovers of the genre, a dive into the past with a few touches of modernity.
Format: Switch (tested version), PS5, PS4, Xbox Series Publisher: Square Enix Developer: Mistwalker Vote: 7/10
