It’s a bit surreal playing Fantasian with randomised Final Fantasy battle music.
But it’s not unfitting.
To help or hinder, who can say.
And for a time it really was lost.
What characterises Fantasian most of all is its blend of old school genre trappings and modern sensibilities.
Yet this re-release is undoubtedly a more approachable version, if still not quite definitive.
It’s a beautiful game.
Another example of old-meets-new is the turn-based battle system and the unique targeting mechanic for its characters.
Fantasian’s most innovative feature, though, is the Dimengeon system.
This allows for exploration without interruption, and a switch to battling when the opportunity suits.
No more running to a save point at low health praying an enemy doesn’t randomly strike!
It’s wonderfully strategic and the sort of obvious solution to a genre frustration I hope gets copied elsewhere.
But it never quite offers a novel viewpoint on these timeless themes.
Yes, this is another fantasy game with an amnesiac, spiky-haired protagonist: Leo.
There’s even a character called Sid (even if it is spelled differently).
It’s fun, with the strength of combat just about outweighing those disappointing, aforementioned stereotypes.
What I particularly appreciate in the second half is Fantasian’s trust in the player.
This is Fantasian at its best, a collision of old and new.
It tests your mind more than your propensity to grind for sheer power.
Yet some bosses really do test your patience, with gimmicks resulting in complete failure after a lengthy struggle.
At times Fantasian isn’t just punishing, it tips firmly into unfair.
And that’s on Normal difficulty.
Fantasian Neo Dimension accessibility options
Message speed options.
Basic volume level options.
No subtitle or visual options.
It’s still not quite definitive, though.
No, sadly the old touch controls haven’t been transferred to Switch.
I’m glad Fantasian Neo Dimension exists for bringing this cult classic to a wider audience.
And while this new version is more approachable, it’s not quite the smoothest transition to bigger screens.
A copy of Fantasian Neo Dimension was provided for review by publisher Square Enix.
