FANTASIAN Neo Dimension Reviews
There is a decided shift from a light-hearted adventure to a grueling difficulty spike against a lot of bosses in the second half that takes some adjusting to, but the great gameplay and stunning presentation shine throughout.
FANTASIAN Neo Dimension attests to the liberation of the legendary Hironobu Sakaguchi's latest work from the shackles of its exclusivity for mobile devices. The Mistwalker production is an exciting homage to a classic vision of JRPGs by one of its absolute masters. However, its very traditionalism, as well as certain limitations inherent in the project's origins, may be a limitation in the contemporary landscape that, ironically, the very creator of Final Fantasy helped found. For those who lived through the golden age of the genre between the 1990s and the beginning of the next millennium, this is a journey worth taking.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Fantasian Neo Dimension is a beautiful, ambitious JRPG that serves as a fitting tribute to Hironobu Sakaguchi’s legacy. Its handcrafted diorama environments, strategic combat, and sweeping soundtrack make it a standout title, even if it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the classics it draws inspiration from.
Fantasian Neo Dimension won’t work for everyone, but for the handful it does click for they’re likely going to find a new all-time favorite. It mostly worked wonders for this reviewer, but the Nintendo Switch port’s issues detracted more from the experience than I had hoped. If you do love classic RPGs or specifically classic Final Fantasy, this modern evolution of those knocks it out of the park. In the last year, there have been a lot of throwbacks to the ’90s era of RPG to bank on nostalgia, but Fantasian has a lasting and timeless appeal most of them lack. It knows who it looks to appeal to and makes a game just for them.
When all is considered, Fantasian Neo Dimension is a beautiful old-school JRPG game that rightfully received a port to all other platforms besides its original Apple ecosystem. It can be said that this is one of the best decisions Square Enix has made this year.
Review in Unknown | Read full review
With an engaging dub, thoughtful combat, and a commendable cast, Fantasian Neo Dimension is one of this year's best — and one of Mistwalker's finest titles.
Come for the beautiful dioramas, stay for the fun and challenging boss fights. Fantasian Neo Dimension is definitely a game I was left hoping for a bit more out of its story and characters, and it's not without some frustrations and less-than-stellar design choices here and there, but when things click the game makes for some of the most fun I've had playing a JRPG in years. It's a tough game that requires you to pay attention and be willing to change up your game plan if it doesn't work, and it can feel like trial and error in spots, but it's immensely satisfying to progress through and conquer its greatest challenges. While Fantasian Neo Dimension is an experience rooted in nostalgia to some extent, it does more than enough on its own to stand out in a crowded pool of retro-inspired JRPGs coming out these days.
Mistwalker confirms all its talent in this re-release of the acclaimed JRPG. A practically perfect experience for all lovers of the classics, which manages not to fall into mere nostalgia and modernizes a winning formula just enough to not distort it.
Review in Italian | Read full review
FANTASIAN Neo Dimension is a true RPG, even if the original was released as a mobile game. The handcrafted look gives the game its character, even though the distinctive art style may not be to everyone’s taste. As an old RPG fan, I really enjoyed playing this, as it brought back a wave of nostalgic feelings.
In the strong JRPG vintage of 2024, FANTASIAN Neo Dimension could basically be overlooked, especially as it is a re-release from 2021. However, this would be doing the game an injustice, as the role-playing game from former Final Fantasy developers certainly has a lot to offer. First of all, the extremely unique look thanks to the real diorama backgrounds. In particular, the attention to detail in the levels is truly outstanding. As a model-building enthusiast, I can definitely only take my hat off to this! FANTASIAN Neo Dimension can set good accents in the combat system. The ability to influence the trajectory of spells is just as good and useful as the Dimengeon, which makes exploring the game world much more enjoyable and well-rounded thanks to the collection of standard enemies. Fortunately, many extremely annoying random battles are now a thing of the past. The likeable characters, the fun group dynamics and the thoroughly successful story are also among the plus points, even if the latter sometimes loses some of its momentum. However, FANTASIAN Neo Dimension has a problem when it comes to balancing, especially with the tough boss enemies, as well as the incredibly muddy textures when it comes to close-ups. This significantly detracts from what is actually a great and unique look. However, if you are looking for a challenge and are not averse to a somewhat experimental graphical approach, you can definitely put FANTASIAN Neo Dimension on your list.
Review in German | Read full review
Despite the notable names involved in the development of Fantasian: Neo Dimension, the title fails to fully uphold the pedigree of its creator, due to some unexpected design missteps from Sakaguchi-san. While the classic combat system can be a pleasant rediscovery, the inconsistent pacing of the adventure, especially in the chaotic second half, is harder to forgive. The conversion barely meets the minimum standards and does not adequately mitigate the visual legacy of its mobile development. Ultimately, Leo and his companions' adventure is an unfocused JRPG that alternates between good and more forgettable elements. It should only be considered if you have a lot of patience and can't resist the names Hironobu Sakaguchi and Nobuo Uematsu.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Fantasian Neo Dimension is a modern classic that may not be visually impressive, apart from the pretty dioramas of course, but offers everything that is important in the genre. Lovable characters, who are now superbly voiced, an exciting story and a battle system that can stand out a little from the normal turn-based RPG. And Uematsu's soundtrack is, of course, fantastic.
Review in German | Read full review
FANTASIAN Neo Dimension gives Sakaguchi and Mistwalker a neat comeback and presents a game for the generation of old RPG enthusiasts and a perfect pathway for newbies into the world. The complete English voice acting gives the narrative and characters much more than just volume to the journey.
FANTASIAN is a nostalgic JRPG by Mistwalker. With charming visuals, classic combat with a twist, a varied cast, and lovely music, the game is a worthy throwback to classic JRPGs despite its slow pacing.
Fantasian Neo Dimension succeeds in evoking the spirit of classic RPGs while introducing fresh ideas into a delightfully handcrafted world.
FANTASIAN Neo Dimension benefits from the past of its creators and its genre, but above all it shows that there is still room to continue innovating in such an exploited medium. It's a game made with passion for both the art of creation and role-playing games in general - both immutably human aspects. More than just “a successor to Final Fantasy by the creators of Final Fantasy”, FANTASIAN is a work more than capable of standing on its own two feet.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Fantasian feels at home on console, Sakaguchi and Uematsu are completely at home with Square-Enix, and players will feel like they’re going on a journey home to their nostalgic 90s era as they delve into the game. Fantasian is an inspired mobile effort that is now better than ever in the form of Neo Dimension.
FANTASIAN Neo Dimension is a captivating JRPG with an intriguing story, engaging characters, stunning diorama visuals, a rich soundtrack, rewarding exploration, innovative turn-based combat mechanics, and a challenging yet satisfying difficulty curve, perfect for fans of classic Final Fantasy-style adventures.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
The insistence on certain elements considered uninviting for the current moment in the gaming industry, as well as the lack of any refinement in the port's production process, means that Fantasian is unable to reach an even higher flight due to the experience offered.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
FANTASIAN Neo Dimension masterfully revives classic JRPG elements. Originally an Apple Arcade exclusive, its transition to PC and consoles allows the game to shine. With a nostalgic yet fresh turn-based combat system, engaging narrative, and innovative Dimengeon mechanic, it's a gem for RPG fans. While the visuals may not impress, gameplay improvements like difficulty settings and voiceovers make it a must-play for the genre's enthusiasts.