Hironobu Sakaguchi Names Underrated Final Fantasy Game as His Most Complete

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Hironobu Sakaguchi, the inventor of the popular series “Final Fantasy”, surprisingly favors a different game within the franchise when considering his personal accomplishments. As a long-term employee of Square (previously known as Square before its merger with Enix), he drew inspiration from the game “Dragon Quest” to create his own role-playing game. Consequently, “Final Fantasy” came into existence. Despite numerous transformations and shifts in creative leadership throughout the years, Sakaguchi’s impact on the series is evident in the settings, concepts, and characters that “Final Fantasy” presents.

Regarding his greatest accomplishment, you might find it intriguing that Sakaguchi’s choice could catch you off guard. Instead of the most widely acclaimed or highest-rated, his preferred “Final Fantasy” game is somewhat overlooked. However, upon closer inspection, it’s not difficult to understand why Sakaguchi labels this underrated “Final Fantasy” game as the “most comprehensive” in the series. This assessment becomes particularly valid when considering the final product and all that followed.

Sakaguchi Sees FF6 As His Greatest Accomplishment

FF6 Surpasses FF1, & Even FF7

In an interview conducted last year by Inverse to preview the upcoming launch of “Fantasian: NEO Dimension”, Hironobu Sakaguchi expressed that he believes Final Fantasy 6 is the most well-rounded game in the entire series. To quote him directly, he stated:

Completing and launching Final Fantasy I gave me an enormous feeling of accomplishment and pride. This is mainly due to the fact that we were venturing into unknown territory at the time, unsure of how the market would respond. As for the Final Fantasy game that feels the most polished, I believe Final Fantasy VI comes very close and truly stands out among the series, particularly because it was the last Final Fantasy to use pixel art in its entire visual design.

It appears as though he’s proudly referring to it as his greatest achievement; however, he quickly compares it to the original “Final Fantasy,” which he also regards as a significant accomplishment. Given my own experience with Final Fantasy 6, I can understand his sentiment.

FF6 Is A Monumental Achievement

Why Sakaguchi Is So Proud

It’s tough to challenge his opinion: While FF6 may not be the largest or most well-known game in the series, its quality is indisputable. From the moment you start it up, you’re greeted by an opening sequence that’s cinematic in nature: the melancholic music, the mechs walking through a snowy field as a town emerges on the horizon, the succinct yet expository dialogue skillfully establishing the plot. It’s hard not to be captivated.

As a cinephile, I’d put it this way: Even the initial spectacle leaves you spellbound, but it’s the gripping narrative and compelling characters that truly hook you in and refuse to let go. The journey that unfolds is nothing short of captivating, filled with breathtaking sequences that leave you awestruck. It’s an ensemble cast of resilient personalities, each bringing a unique fighting style to the table, making every control feel fresh and distinctive.

A significant aspect that makes FF6 outstanding is how cleverly it exploited the technology at its disposal. Composer Nobuo Uematsu skillfully produces symphony-like music using the SNES’ basic sound generator. Mode 7 masterfully generates a 3D visual effect in a 2D game through an ingenious technique. Yoshitaka Amano’s pixel art character illustrations are remarkably expressive, adding depth to its intriguing personalities.

The Series Went In A Different Direction After FF6

FF7’s Differences Make FF6 Stand Out

In the debate about top games from the series, Final Fantasy 6 tends to be overshadowed by its successor, Final Fantasy 7. However, it’s essential to remember that Final Fantasy 7 represents a significant leap in many aspects. For instance, it was the first game in the series to feature 3D graphics, which were quite unique at the time. It further developed the cinematic style initiated by Final Fantasy 6, using full-motion cutscenes to depict crucial story events and intense action scenes. These elements are indeed impressive, but it’s important to note that they wouldn’t have been possible without the groundwork laid by Final Fantasy 6.

Sakaguchi acknowledges this point; in fact, he highlights that the pixel art in FF6 adds to its unique charm within the series. However, it’s not just the art style that has evolved in it. One of the key strengths of Final Fantasy lies in its knack for constant reinvention. Yet, this ability to transform can sometimes blur the identity of the series a bit. As for what truly defines Final Fantasy, according to Sakaguchi:

Everyone seems to interpret it uniquely. If I were to distill its essence, I’d point to the narrative and setting as key elements. I believe these aspects should carry a central theme or moral, providing an alternate viewpoint or stimulating deep reflection among the participants.

Sakaguchi continued to contribute to various ‘Final Fantasy’ games, each one playing a crucial role in refreshing the series while preserving its essence. After the launch of ‘Final Fantasy X-2’, he established his own studio, where he has developed a string of original RPGs such as ‘Lost Odyssey’, ‘Fantasian’, and the underappreciated ‘Blue Dragon’. Despite moving on to new projects, he remains proud of his role in creating ‘Final Fantasy’, particularly ‘FF6’ which stands among his greatest accomplishments.

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2025-05-27 21:09