As a longtime fan of video games, I must say that Hiroshi Sakaguchi has left an indelible mark on the industry. His contributions to gaming, particularly in the realm of role-playing games (RPGs), are nothing short of legendary. From the groundbreaking design of Chrono Trigger to the mainstream success of Final Fantasy VII, his work has not only shaped the genre but also paved the way for countless other developers to follow in his footsteps.
1984 saw the debut of a text-based adventure game, aptly named “The Death Trap.” This was the initial project that Hironobu Sakaguchi contributed to designing at Squaresoft, marking it as the company’s first game. It wasn’t until 1987 and the release of “Final Fantasy” that Squaresoft and Sakaguchi truly found their stride, ushering in a period of success for both.
Sakaguchi is one of the most influential creators of all time who helped Squaresoft rise to the top. He got so big that Squaresoft allowed him to create a studio on their dime to direct a movie, Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, and all future movies within that space. It was sadly a flop and soon after Sakaguchi left to help create a new studio, Mistwalker, where he remains to this day. So, to celebrate his latest achievement, FANTASIAN Neo Dimension, let’s go through the most important and best games Sakaguchi was a part of.
8. The Last Story
A Redo Of Final Fantasy But With Action
- Credited As: Director/Writer
In essence, The Last Story served as Mistwalker’s equivalent to Hironobu Sakaguchi’s Final Fantasy series. Not just because of the shared name, but also due to its significance as their final attempt at creating a console game. Collaborating studios took risks with this project, deviating from the traditional turn-based RPG format and instead crafting an action RPG. In The Last Story, players primarily controlled one character while navigating through vibrant dungeons, made even more engaging by the party system. This game was one of the major titles released for the Wii and marked the end of Mistwalker’s console gaming endeavors until FANTASIAN Neo Dimension over a decade later. As such, The Last Story holds great importance in Sakaguchi’s career.
7. Blue Dragon
A Reunion Of Great Minds
- Credited As: Writer
The game known as “Blue Dragon” marked Mistwalker’s debut production following Hironobu Sakaguchi’s departure from Square Enix to establish the studio. This title was a significant success for the Xbox 360, filling a gap in the console’s library during the previous generation for turn-based JRPGs. In a way, it served as a mini-reunion similar to “Chrono Trigger”, with Akira Toriyama, the celebrated creator of “Dragon Ball”, contributing to character design, and Nobuo Uematsu, renowned composer from “Final Fantasy”, joining the team. Although it didn’t reach the acclaim of Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger, or even Dragon Quest, it bore a striking resemblance to them, and was generally well-received as a solid first attempt. The game has had two sequels on DS and an anime adaptation, and those interested can play Blue Dragon on current Xbox consoles via backwards compatibility.
6. Parasite Eve
Horror Comes To JRPGs
- Credited As: Producer
Parasite Eve holds significance for bridging Western and Japanese culture, thanks to Sakaguchi’s efforts. This game, a turn-based RPG, is set in New York City and revolves around a chilling supernatural incident. It aimed to emulate both the style of Final Fantasy and the horror elements of Resident Evil, and its fusion proved successful.
Although this title may currently hold a specialized appeal among fans, its significance endures. Despite the fact that the following sequels didn’t garner the same positive response, it still matters. There’s a chance Square Enix might re-explore the game since horror is more popular than ever today. It’s even conceivable that Hironobu Sakaguchi could craft a new horror RPG within Mistwalker in the future.
5. Final Fantasy 4
Light Born From Darkness
- Credited As: Director/Writer
Final Fantasy 4 stood out in the series due to its groundbreaking narrative and darker tone compared to NES games. The protagonist, Cecil, initially performs evil deeds for a cherished kingdom but later questions his actions. This game paved the way for dramatic cutscenes on the PS1 and beyond, and it’s one of the rare titles that offers a rotating party of five members during battles, which is still an interesting concept. Despite its serious moments, it didn’t shy away from humor, such as the iconic “Spoony Bard” joke.
4. Final Fantasy Tactics
Waging War Through Religion And Chocobos
- Credited As: Producer
Back in the day, before the PS1, there weren’t many spin-offs that dared to build the mystical world of Ivalice under the Final Fantasy banner. Among these, Final Fantasy Tactics was one of the standouts, pushing turn-based gameplay into strategic territory. Sakaguchi played a significant role in making this vision a reality, being a fan of the strategy genre and essentially carrying on from where the Ogre franchise left off. It was a mature tale that delved into religious and political themes without talking down to its audience. Additionally, it innovated the Job system by offering a plethora of abilities, allowing players to switch between classes and create an unbeatable army, offering plenty of replay value.
3. Final Fantasy 9
A Swan Song To His First Era
- Credited As: Producer/Writer
In many ways, after working on numerous games following this point, Final Fantasy 9 served as Sakaguchi’s farewell masterpiece to both the company and the franchise he significantly contributed to shaping. It represented a rekindling of the epic storytelling style reminiscent of high fantasy realms, with technology limitations primarily focused on airships. If it had been titled simply Final Fantasy as a reboot, it would have been fitting, given its rich tapestry that captured so much of the essence that originated from the NES.
In this world, there were various kingdoms, crystals, characters who had distinct roles, pirates, and countless other elements. It’s no wonder that fans are thrilled at the prospect of a remake, and it would be fantastic if Hironobu Sakaguchi could collaborate with Square Enix once more to ensure its success.
2. Chrono Trigger
A Dream Project
- Credited As: Designer
Chrono Trigger stands out as the epitome of a game where legendary creators came together in a crossover. At the peak of their powers were creators like Sakaguchi, who was known for his work on Final Fantasy, and Nobuo Uematsu, who contributed music to it. Similarly, there was Yuji Horii from the world of Dragon Quest, and Akira Toriyama lent his talents as well. These are just a few of the great minds of the time who went on to achieve even greater things. Chrono Trigger was innovative in design, offering features like no random encounters, a magical system with combo attacks, dynamic music, time travel, and more. It’s amazing to think that such an ambitious turn-based project, involving so many brilliant minds, ever came to fruition, considering the potential for ego clashes during collaborations of this nature.
1. Final Fantasy 7
The Beginning Of Mainstream JRPGs
- Credited As: Producer
In a groundbreaking move, Final Fantasy 7 revolutionized the role-playing game (RPG) genre in an indelible way. It attracted even non-RPG enthusiasts to an unprecedented cinematic experience. The plot’s foundation is attributed to Hironobu Sakaguchi, particularly the narrative revolving around Aerith; her character was significantly influenced by the loss of Sakaguchi’s mother. This emotional connection deeply imbued his work, but he wasn’t working alone. Yoshinori Kitase and Tetsuya Nomura, director and artist respectively, contributed substantially to this massive project. Decades later, Final Fantasy 7 remains a significant milestone for Square Enix, with Sakaguchi playing a pivotal role in its lasting impact.
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2024-12-10 14:35