FANTASIAN Neo Dimension Review

FANTASIAN Neo Dimension is the long-awaited rebirth of a long-hidden treasure developed by Mistwalker and published by Square Enix. This RPG is directly helmed by Hironobu Sakaguchi, the legendary creator of Final Fantasy. It promises to have some of the most breathtaking soundtracks made by Nobuo Uematsu, thus giving it the DNA of some of the greatest RPGs ever made. 

Originally released on Apple Arcade in 2021 as a two-part adventure, FANTASIAN Neo Dimension was once inaccessible to many traditional RPG fans. Now, with its release for consoles and PC, this overlooked title has a second chance to shine.

Not being able to play the initial release, I was a bit excited to jump into this fresh interpretation of turn-based RPGs, especially as it comes packed with new features like full voice acting. The game actually seems like a spiritual successor to some of my favorite JRPGs. Whether FANTASIAN Neo Dimension will find its way into the hearts of present-day players or remain a classic that doesn't get the recognition it deserves remains to be seen.

For those who have played their share of JRPGs, the story in FANTASIAN Neo Dimension may sound very familiar. The protagonist, Leo, has woken up in some dimension with no memory of even who he is. Soon enough, he is drawn into a quest to discover his identity and an encounter with a god.

Certainly, there are splashes of the past, one of which is Mechteria, which feels very similar to a character called Materia from the classic Final Fantasy games. There is quite a bit to experience in terms of backstory, especially in the case of Kina, as she becomes part of Leo's journey very early on.

As predictable as the plot is, the character cast here won me over. Charming, funny, and thoroughly likable, they kept me interested in their journey. The humor is sharp, with well-executed one-liners and situations that made me crack up. Coupled with its fully voice-acted dialogue, even the smallest exchanges are lifted with performances.

FANTASIAN Neo Dimension also offers side stories in place of traditional side quests, which are also fully voiced and contribute to world-building. Leo, in particular, has some standout moments—like berating a boy for making his mother cry while trying to steer him back home. The cast might seem like archetypes on paper—the amnesiac hero, the introspective animal-loving woman, and the haughty princess—but the attention to the quieter, more personal moments between the main events makes them feel relatable and memorable.

The setting of FANTASIAN Neo Dimension has a prominent role in the story, as it has multiple interrelated layers. The first time Leo wakes up, he finds himself in the Machine World, and most of the narrative focuses on figuring out the connection between it and the classic human world. 

Now, this connection seems more than vital because humanity is confronting a crisis caused by "the bacteria," a catastrophic infection that is making the human world inhabitable. Amid this dire situation, Leo possesses a warp device left by his past self. However, the device comes with a catch—it only teleports Leo and those nearby to locations he remembers. As a result, he must essentially restart his journey from scratch.

To my pleasant surprise, FANTASIAN Neo Dimension's gameplay has an intuitive turn-based combat system that's built around directional ranges. One attack bends and strikes multiple enemies, while some types allow effective strategies without being overly complicated. 

Each party member brings unique abilities—like crafting items mid-battle—that complement traditional elements such as magic, stat-boosting accessories, and character-specific skills. Battles flow smoothly, thanks to quick actions mapped to triggers: the left for standard strikes and the right for repeating the last-used skill. This small feature streamlines combat without removing the option of traditional menus.

The Dimengeon mechanic in FANTASIAN Neo Dimension enriches the experience. While exploring, your enemies are stored in another dimension, letting you roam freely without constant interruptions. You can switch this system on and off at any point since it is flexible.

However, the Dimengeon has limitations—it can only hold a certain number of encounters and doesn't work with new enemy types, forcing strategic decisions about when to engage in battles. Stored encounters can be tackled all at once in dimension battles, which include passive buffs to help manage waves of enemies. While risky, especially in late-game areas with unfamiliar foes, this mechanic adds depth and player choice to exploration and combat.

This title has two difficulty levels: "Normal" and the original "Hard" difficulty from the original Apple Arcade release. In fact, the opening half of the game is easy, even on Hard, requiring little strategy to overcome, but the latter half ramps up the challenge with nasty enemies and some tough boss battles. 

New elements, such as character-specific skill trees introduced in this latter half of the game, further add complexity and make the learning curve feel organic. Bosses on the Hard mode are particularly rewarding, providing very enjoyable fights that players will remember.

The exploration in this FANTASIAN Neo Dimension is worth mentioning, where towns and places fill hidden treasure items and treasure chests locked, with keys dropped by special enemies. Side quests are, however, a weak spot. They usually feel bored, offering mediocre rewards that almost never will justify the effort. Treasure hunting is more often rewarding, for it yields plenty of useful equipment and upgrades.

Unfortunately, the Switch's performance does not go smoothly. Frame drops predominantly when docked; it kind of detracts from the visuals that depend on very detailed dioramas. Movement in the dioramas can also be quite clunky; the directional inputs do not change when the perspective shifts, requiring the player to stop using the control stick for a moment in order to get things reoriented. These inconsistencies are not so either at breaking the experience but are certainly noticed.

There were a few visual elements I would have preferred to be different. For instance, when selecting a character, I think their portrait at the top of the screen could have been highlighted or slightly enlarged. Instead, it's shown in the corner, which feels a bit too small, especially when playing in handheld mode. While it's not a major issue since the characters are ordered the same at both the top and bottom, I did find the combat itself to be quite enjoyable.

And lastly, the soundtrack. Though not overly expansive, the music, composed by Nobuo Uematsu, is exceptional, featuring some of my favorite town, battle, and event themes from his work. If this is indeed the last game he fully composed for, it's a great note to end on.

FANTASIAN Neo Dimension is a standout example of how RPGs can be made again to feel like the classic ones. A somewhat interesting story blended with its original turn-based combat and memorable cast works well and is underlaid with a great soundtrack by Nobuo Uematsu. The Switch may have its shortcomings performance-wise, but the overall design and mechanics make the game feel fresh and exciting to play. 

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. 

However, it isn't perfect, but it is certainly strong enough as an entry into this genre to make it a must-have for fans. Hopefully, this new release will garner greater attention for Mistwalker and create interest in its earlier endeavors, such as Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey.