“Humans are greedy creatures, aren’t we?” The legendary developer was ready to retire, but he’s got one last project left in him.

Hironobu Sakaguchi, the mastermind behind Final Fantasy, left Square Enix in 2003 to establish Mistwalker. Since then, he has worked on a diverse range of projects, from large-scale RPGs to mobile games. He had previously hinted that 2021’s Fantasian—which recently received a Director’s Cut on Steam—would be his final project before retirement.

Now? He’s revving up for one last ride. In an interview with The Verge, Sakaguchi revealed: “I intended Fantasian to be my final project before I retired, so it was somewhat of a farewell note from me.” With the release of Fantasian Neo Dimension, he now considers the game complete, but he’s also begun to reflect on a deeper meaning:

“In the distant future, or maybe after I have already left this world, I imagine this game will find its meaning if someone chooses to look into the legacy of either myself or Final Fantasy.”

One More Adventure

Sakaguchi admitted that the development of Fantasian was such an enjoyable experience that he couldn’t bring himself to part ways with his team. “Humans are greedy creatures, aren’t we? For that reason, I’m currently working on a new project with the same team that worked on Fantasian Neo Dimension.”

The new title will stay true to his signature style and aims to be a spiritual successor to Final Fantasy VI. “We want to create something that feels both old and new at the same time. This will be part two of my farewell note.”

The Legend’s Last Masterpiece?

Sakaguchi knows exactly what he’s doing: mentioning Final Fantasy VI—often regarded as the best 2D entry in the series and, for some, its pinnacle—is bound to excite longtime fans. Of course, you can never truly go back, but the fact that Sakaguchi is channeling those ideas for his final project is enough to stir excitement. Retirement is for the weak—it’s time for Kefka 2.0.

Source: PC Gamer