Apple Arcade subscribers are in for a treat. Hironobu Sakaguchi, who also made the classic Final Fantasy series, also created Fantasian for Apple’s gaming service. It mixes computer-generated characters with handmade sets for a truly unique look.
Fantasian takes place in a handcrafted world
Sakaguchi wrote the story for Fantasian, and it was developed into a game by Mistwalker. “Players will assume the role of protagonist, Leo, who awakens from a massive explosion only to find himself lost in a strange land with only one memory left him,” says Mistwalker about the JRPG. “As players set out on a journey to reclaim Leo’s memories, they will unravel the mysteries of the bizarre mechanical infection slowly engulfing all that is known to mankind.”
But the real draw is the look. All the action takes place against a backdrop of 150 handmade dioramas created by masters of Tokusatsu — Japan’s special-effects industry. The game combines these miniature sets with 3D characters.
Mistwalker is so proud of the appearance of Fantasian that it created a special game mode for it. A Dimengeon Battle allows players to send previously encountered enemies into a dungeon to fight later so they can maximize uninterrupted exploration.
Watch the amazing story trailer to get a sense of the action:
Now on Apple Arcade
Fantasian can be downloaded starting Friday from the App Store. There are versions for Mac, iPad, iPhone and Apple TV.
Playing Sakaguchi‘s latest requires a subscription to Apple Arcade, which costs $4.99 a month, but it comes with over 100 games. And there are no additional costs because Apple bans ads, in-app purchases and loot boxes. There are other RPGs like Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm, Towers of Everland, or the recently released Oceanhorn: Chronos Dungeon.
