Following the commercial disappointment of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, Hironobu Sakaguchi, the creator of Final Fantasy, departed from Square, accompanied by several of his colleagues.
In a recent interview on Episode 60 of My Perfect Console, host Simon Parkin delved into the aftermath of this departure with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth producer Yoshinori Kitase. Parkin inquired whether Kitase had contemplated leaving alongside his mentor, Sakaguchi, and what ultimately persuaded him to remain.
Reflecting on his decision, Kitase explained through a translator, “There were two primary factors influencing my choice to stay at that time. Firstly, while Sakaguchi-san had already established a significant legacy through his creations and projects, I personally felt that I was still in the process of shaping my own vision and objectives within the industry.
This sense of ongoing development motivated me to stay.” He continued, “Secondly, I harbored a genuine desire for Sakaguchi-san to maintain a connection with the Final Fantasy series despite his departure. I believed it was important for him to still be associated with the franchise in some capacity.”
Kitase elaborated further, acknowledging that the latter reason has become less pertinent over time, given Sakaguchi-san’s subsequent endeavors. “After becoming independent, there was a noticeable absence of connection with Final Fantasy until 2016, when he participated in Mobius Final Fantasy, a smartphone game.
This marked his return to the franchise after a significant hiatus. Nowadays, he remains visible through promotions for projects like Pixel Remaster and participation in events like Fan Fest, thereby retaining his connection with Final Fantasy.”
Sakaguchi-san’s enduring influence is evident in the ongoing success of the Final Fantasy franchise. The latest installment, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, has garnered positive reviews. In GameSpot’s assessment, reviewer Tamoor Hussain awarded the game an 8/10, praising its captivating gameplay and narrative coherence.
Hussain remarked, “Despite occasional missteps, Final Fantasy Rebirth offers an engrossing gameplay experience, emphasizing both freedom and rewarding exploration. Its refined combat mechanics inject new vitality into the familiar formula, complementing the overarching thematic depth of the storyline.”
