FANTASIAN Neo Dimension

“In the end, Fantasian Neo Dimension is an alright JRPG with fun combat that doesn’t quite hit the mark with its story or port on the PC. Despite being somewhat interesting, the story never struck an emotional chord and the awkward dialogue made it difficult to really care about the characters.”

“It may not be nearly as culturally seismic as Final Fantasy, but Fantasian Neo Dimension is proof positive that Hironobu Sakaguchi is an RPG maestro – it's another memorable tale that deals with big themes and neat systems, and its arrival on consoles is more than welcome.”

“Overall, I would say Fantasian is good. But there's a certain something lacking and while I'm reminded of the nostalgic past, it makes me miss how revolutionary Fantasian's inspirations were. From the character writing of Final Fantasy VI, the 3D revolution of Final Fantasy VII, one of the first RPGs with near full voice acting in Final Fantasy X, or creating a connected world two years before World of Warcraft with Final Fantasy XI on PlayStation 2. Fantasian isn't changing anyone's feelings on RPGs. It's pretty, silly, and cozy with some genuine heart. But it's like a beautiful cake. It doesn't feel like a full meal but it's tasty and I love looking at it. Fantasian is new-ish, but it's not Neo.”

“Fantasian Neo Dimension is a great love letter to JRPGs, particularly ones that come from creator Hironobu Sakaguchi's past such as Lost Odyssey and Final Fantasy. Its characters weave together a story worth experiencing with a battle system that accentuates it by providing enjoyable yet challenging turn-based fare. Wrapped around it all is impressive hand-crafted dioramas and the last full soundtrack from the legendary Nobou Uematsu, Fantasian Neo Dimension should be experienced by any JRPG fan.”

“Hironobu Sakaguchi's last great feat, Fantasian: Neo Dimension reminded us of the reasons why we loved the father of Final Fantasy and his conception of JRPG, without however matching the greatness of his most successful titles.”

“Fantasian Neo Dimension is one of the best JRPGs I have played in a very long time, and that is saying a lot, considering we've had some great releases recently. It has a nostalgic feel to it that is reminiscent of the older Final Fantasy games, almost like stepping into a time machine. The trajectory system in combat is brilliant, it has an interesting story, and the difficulty is just right where it demands strategy while remaining fair throughout. The beautiful world made strictly from handmade dioramas is nothing short of extraordinary and is one of the most creative initiatives I've seen in gaming. Fantasian Neo Dimension does everything right for a turn-based JRPG, and anyone seeking their next great experience in the genre should look no further than this remarkable creation.”

“With Fantasian: Neo Dimension, the father and composer of Final Fantasy bring us a game that is a return to the origins of the JRPG, but that fails to live up to its own legend. It's a decent and entertaining adventure, with some interesting ideas, but it falls far short of the titans of the genre.”

“Taking the time to farm elemental resistant accessories, equipment upgrades, and stronger skills, setting up your party loadout just so at a save point, then watching your team get ragdolled anyway all while you’re several levels above what the game says you need completely overshadows the effort put into the careful, puzzle-like design of each boss. Which is a shame, because if those fights weren’t so egregiously overtuned in such an unproductive way, the stuff actually holding up Fantasian’s systems would’ve really shined. The criticism from before clearly had an impact, but even with the adjustments there’s still moments where this game isn’t fun at all to engage with on its given terms. Even everything else, from Uematsu’s thematically apt soundtrack to the super neat diorama visuals, is hard to enjoy when your brain is bogged down by constant dread. Fantasian Neo Dimension has a distinct vibe and a lot of cool ideas, but over-commits to its idea of challenge such that it buries its own nuances under a pile of big numbers.”

“There's something special about Fantasian Neo Dimension that melds the old with the new to create an enthralling and nostalgic journey in a unique high-fantasy world that's simply a ton of fun to play.”

“Fantasian Neo Dimension is a precious JRPG, which finally ends the exclusivity period to be within everyone's reach. Nothing new, but a beautiful work made with a very small budget.”

“Fantasian Neo Dimension evokes memories of classic Final Fantasy. It's got an impeccable soundtrack, beautiful locales, and a world that inspires wonder. But it's let down a little by likeable but fiercely archetypal characters and a by-the-numbers story, and it's let down a lot by wild and uneven difficulty spikes that make combat a source of constant frustration in the second half of the adventure.”

“In an age where every JRPG offers us complex experiences, with hundreds of hours of content and multiple systems at our disposal, Fantasian Neo Dimension is a little baileys chocolate. The first bite is something everyone can appreciate, the sweetness immediately grabs the player, but once you get to the end of the bite, you're likely to feel something too strong for you, but at the same time it's addictive, and it's hard not to eat another one.”

“Fantasian is a wonderful JRPG, and now it's even better and accessible to all platforms.”

“Available for the first time on consoles, Fantasian Neo Dimension is a lovingly-crafted tribute to the RPG genre from some of its biggest pioneers.”

“Fantasian will make you work hard for every win, but the reward's always worth the effort”

“This port is an enjoyable way to experience the game, but it is much more limited than the name ‘Neo Dimension’ might imply, especially with Square Enix branding it as an enhanced release. The inventive combat and gorgeous dioramas Fantasian always excelled at are still incredible here, while its inconsistent pacing and poor character development remain untouched.”

“Fantasian: Neo Dimension is a modern take on the RPG formula. In many ways, it's similar to classic Final Fantasy games, but elements such as the trajectory aspect of battles and the Dimengeon help distinguish it from other titles the developers have previously worked on. The Dimengeon is an especially welcome addition to slow down the interruption that random encounters provide. The battles are enjoyable as they do require strategic planning, though playing on Hard difficulty can result in especially rough difficulty spikes later on. The rewarding battle system is complemented by the fantastic soundtrack and engaging story, reminiscent of some of the best classic RPGs. A couple characters can be grating and sometimes the controls feel like they could use some refinement, but Fantasian: Neo Dimension is a welcome challenge for anyone who is a fan of classic JRPGs.”

“Fantasian Neo Dimension is Hironobu Sakaguchi and Mistwalker at their boldest and bravest, culminating in a JRPG love letter that both delights and frustrates. The stunning world and exploration are a true highlight, and the challenging and rewarding combat will enchant some, but it lacks some of the magic that the game is aiming for and the pacing is uneven. Normal difficulty makes things more accessible for the curious, but make no mistake, this is an RPG for those who want to lose themselves in the mechanics.”

“The cult classic mobile RPG finally gets its due, for lovers of mechanics over story who can rise to the demands of its extreme challenge.”

“It features deeply strategic fighting mechanics, a bevy of enemies to go up against, and a fun story to hold it together. The controls need some improving, and the dialogue could probably be toned down just a bit, but the game has more positives than negatives at the end of the day.”