Fantasian Neo Dimension Review – The Father of Final Fantasy Delivers Another RPG Epic

Fantasian Neo Dimension Review – The Father of Final Fantasy Delivers Another RPG Epic

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I can confidently say that Fantasian Neo Dimension has been a long-awaited addition to my console collection. Having played RPGs on various platforms, it’s refreshing to see the genre make its way onto home consoles, particularly one created by the mind behind Final Fantasy himself.

Starting from 2021, Fantasian has exclusively been available on Apple Arcade. Given that Fantasian is an RPG created by Hironobu Sakaguchi, who is also known for his work on the Final Fantasy series, it might seem unusual to confine such a game to the small screen of a tablet or mobile device. Nevertheless, you could play it through Apple’s tvOS as well. The good news is that the release of “Fantasian Neo Dimension” on home consoles is worth rejoicing about – now you can finally enjoy the game on your preferred platform, which perhaps should have been the case from the beginning.

Fantasian Neo Dimension Review – The Father of Final Fantasy Delivers Another RPG Epic

In simpler terms, “Fantasian” is a role-playing game that follows typical RPG themes, featuring a protagonist with platinum hair and fancy attire who has lost his memory. The storyline hints at the impending doom of our universe. It includes amusingly named locations such as ‘Vence’, a city of water, and peculiar enemies like Gondolan, an adversary shaped like a gondola found within Vence’s house. Believe it or not, these names are real!

Despite some peculiarities worth noting, Fantasian Neo Dimension stands out as a captivating and strategically engaging RPG. Its turn-based fights offer a straightforward yet tactically deep twist: you can strike multiple enemies at once by precisely aiming attacks. The hero, Leo, can perform a Flaming Slash or penetrative attack that slices through foes and hits those hidden behind, while Kina, the companion, can curve attacks, bending projectiles to sweep across enemies in a graceful arc, as evidenced by a curved line indicating the trajectory of your strikes.

In Fantasian, characters you encounter later have distinct skills that will prove essential for survival against powerful enemies encountered towards the end of the game. Timing your actions correctly during battle can determine victory or defeat, and one wrong move could quickly turn the tide of a fight. Despite its seemingly straightforward nature, Fantasian offers strategic complexity without getting bogged down in excessive statistics.

On the console screen, “Fantasian Neo Dimension” seamlessly integrates. The interface is streamlined, the controls are user-friendly, and the handcrafted diorama settings, combined with Takatoshi Goto’s character sketches, give the game a distinctive, attractive appearance. Regarding the storyline, it starts off gradually but becomes engaging as it unfolds bit by bit, both through cutscenes and hand-drawn illustrations reminiscent of a storybook. Over time, Leo and Kina are accompanied by Princess Cheryl, Captain Zinikr with his salty demeanor, and young inventor Ez, and as more characters join the group, more battle options become available to you.

Fantasian Neo Dimension Review – The Father of Final Fantasy Delivers Another RPG Epic

Soon enough, you’ll find yourself immersed in discussions about ‘mechteria’, the multiverse, divine artifacts, the ongoing battle between Order and Chaos, and a scheme being devised by the villainous Vam the Malevolent. He’s the antagonist, just to make it clear if the ‘Malevolent’ title wasn’t enough of a hint. As time goes on, Leo’s forgotten memories resurface, gradually unveiling a complex past. At first glance, this may appear like a typical RPG, but it quickly becomes captivating, pulling you in with an engaging narrative and enjoyable turn-based gameplay.

In Fantasian, I adore how frequent random battles are part of the gameplay, yet Leo’s ‘Dimengeon’ gadget allows me to save these encounters for a later fight if I choose. This feature often proves beneficial, giving me the chance to strategize and then take down a swarm of monsters all at once. What’s more, the innovative battle system turns these constant skirmishes into an enjoyable experience rather than a hassle. The tough boss battles seldom feel insurmountable or unfair, although the game does sometimes employ sneaky tactics, such as instantly defeating Leo or one of my companions without warning. Gratefully, like any RPG, there are numerous revival items and spells to help balance things out.

Fantasian Neo Dimension Review – The Father of Final Fantasy Delivers Another RPG Epic

Waiting three years for a game to transition from one platform to another might seem like a long time, but the console debut of “Fantasian Neo Dimension” was certainly worth it. It introduced a more digestible ‘Normal’ difficulty level and even allowed players to enjoy music from the famous “Final Fantasy” series. This isn’t just a casual RPG; it’s a full-fledged, meaty one. The endgame is substantial, offering New Game+ and the challenging Void Realm. Towards the end of the game, there’s an extensive skill tree (called a ‘Growth Map’) to explore by earning SP as you level up.

Enhanced by the grandiose music composition of Nobuo Uematsu, the RPG masterpiece Fantasian Neo Dimension becomes richer and more rewarding the longer you invest in it. As you advance, the game mechanics become increasingly complex, and the combat, with its path-based attacks and numerous strategies to exploit, becomes incredibly satisfying as you master it. It’s hard to comprehend why it took three years for this game to transition to consoles, as it seems like it should have been released on Xbox and PlayStation from the start. Notably, the game developed by Mistwalker truly feels at home on a console gaming platform.

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2024-12-04 14:12

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