Unlock the Retro Gaming Nostalgia with Fantasian: A Perfect Final Fantasy Throwback
Rediscovering the Magic of Classic Final Fantasy Games with Fantasian
As I grew up playing games, one of the most formative experiences for me was playing Final Fantasy VII in the late ’90s. The narrative-focused RPG, with its slow-burning story told through text boxes and pre-rendered backgrounds, captured my attention like few other games before. I was hooked. The world of Spira in Final Fantasy VIII became the next obsession, and I thought I’d never experience that same kind of game again.
Fast forward to 2021 when Fantasian NeuroDiverse was released, exclusively on Apple Arcade’s iOS and Mac ecosystem. I must admit, I was skeptical at first. Was this a game worthy of revisiting the nostalgic magic of those classic Final Fantasy titles?
Fast-forward to 2024, and Fantasian has now arrived on modern consoles and PCs, allowing me to experience it in a way I couldn’t back in the day. And I’m thrilled to report that Fantasian has successfully filled several late evenings with a kind of wild neo-nostalgia that I’ve always wanted to experience, but never expected from modern games.
What sets Fantasian apart?
Like Final Fantasy titles of the late ’90s, Fantasian features a fixed camera perspective and 3D character models animated over pre-made backgrounds. The game’s soundtrack, crafted by the legendary composer Nobuo Uematsu, is also reminiscent of those epic scores from the ’90s. The game’s presentation and narrative feel like a hidden PSX FF title, echoing the texture and tone of those classic games.
Is it perfect? There are a few rough edges to iron out, and the combat system can feel a bit clunky at times. Additionally, the story, while engaging, doesn’t quite reach the same heights as FF7 or FF8. However, for fans of classic Final Fantasy, these minor flaws are easily overlooked, especially as the game’s nostalgic charm grows with each passing hour.
Conclusion
Fantasian is one of my favorite games of 2024, and I’m grateful to have my cherished FF experiences rekindled. If you’ve been curious about this game since its initial release a few years ago, now’s the perfect time to dive in and experience the magic of classic Final Fantasy games revitalized in a unique, nostalgic package. Give Neo Dimension a try, and rediscover the world of Final Fantasy.
