New SNES, Final Fantasy-Inspired RPG on Steam Has Been in Development for 10 Years

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The Final Fantasy series is constantly evolving, but many fans still love the older games. Several of the early entries, like Final Fantasy 6 (originally for the SNES), are still considered the best in the series and continue to inspire developers today. ONE FENIX DOWN is a new RPG aiming to capture the spirit of those classic games. After nearly ten years in development, it’s scheduled to release on Steam in the second quarter of 2026.

Regalcraft Games is releasing a new JRPG called ONE FENIX DOWN, heavily inspired by classic Final Fantasy games from the Super Nintendo era. The game focuses on strong characters, traditional turn-based battles, and a deliberate pace, aiming to please fans of 90s JRPGs and offer a nostalgic experience. What’s particularly interesting is that ONE FENIX DOWN has been in development for a decade. With a Steam release date approaching, all that hard work is about to be revealed as the game transitions from a long-term passion project to a complete, playable experience.

ONE FENIX DOWN’s Road to Release

  • EARLY DEVELOPMENT BEGINS (2016) – Solo indie dev RC Dunn starts work on ONE FENIX DOWN as a passion project inspired by SNES JRPGs and Final Fantasy-style games.
  • STEAM PRESENCE APPEARS (Feb 19, 2024) – Regalcraft Games officially announces ONE FENIX DOWN and its Steam store page.
  • DEMO RELEASED (Jul 25, 2024) – A free Steam demo goes live, offering around a 30-minute slice of core mechanics and story.
  • KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN (Aug 2024) – A crowdfunding campaign runs to support OST composers and stretch goals while demo buzz grows.
  • COMMUNITY MILESTONE (Dec 12, 2025) – Dev posts major progress, including main story completion after nearly a decade.
  • FULL GAME PLANNED FOR RELEASE (Q2 2026) – ONE FENIX DOWN is targeted to launch on Steam in spring/summer 2026.

The development of ONE FENIX DOWN wasn’t like most indie games. It started around ten years ago as a personal project for RC Dunn, and remained largely hidden from the public throughout much of its creation. Dunn took a slow and deliberate approach, steadily building and refining the game’s characters, gameplay, and story. This careful process demonstrates Dunn’s dedication to the project and his desire for ONE FENIX DOWN to be more than just a copy of existing games – he wants it to be a meaningful addition to the world of classic JRPGs.

Honestly, it didn’t really feel real until 2024. That’s when we finally got a demo out on Steam and people could actually play ONE FENIX DOWN – check out the combat, try the party system, the whole deal. The Kickstarter after that was huge, giving us the support we needed to push through the final stretch. Now, with a launch looking likely in the second quarter of 2026, it’s crazy to think this game – something I’ve been working on for almost ten years – is finally becoming a reality. It’s a bit surreal, to be honest!

ONE FENIX DOWN Looks Perfect for Classic Final Fantasy Fans

As a JRPG fan, I’m really excited about ONE FENIX DOWN! It doesn’t feel like just another game copying what’s already out there – it actually seems like it could bring something fresh and new to the genre, which is awesome.

Role-playing games have always proven that you don’t need cutting-edge graphics to be enjoyable; strong gameplay and a captivating story are what truly matter. Classic games like Final Fantasy 6 are perfect examples of this, and the upcoming JRPG ONE FENIX DOWN seems to be following the same principle. It’s clear the developers are prioritizing solid game mechanics and a good story over flashy visuals, believing that’s enough to make it a worthwhile experience.

ONE FENIX DOWN’s Features at a Glance

  • STORY-DRIVEN RPG experience with narrative emphasis and emotional themes.
  • CLASSIC TURN-BASED COMBAT with multiple difficulty settings.
  • 16-BIT SNES-STYLE PIXEL GRAPHICS with nostalgic sprite work.
  • TOP-DOWN EXPLORATION reminiscent of classic JRPGs.
  • VAST WORLD spanning multiple kingdoms and continents.
  • OVERWORLD MAP ENCOUNTERS and classic JRPG exploration systems.
  • POWERFUL SKILLS including elemental magic, martial arts, traps, and monster abilities.
  • 14+ PLAYABLE CHARACTERS with unique roles, skills, and strategic synergies.
  • PARTY SWAPPING MECHANICS that keep combat and strategy fresh.
  • HUNDREDS OF ITEMS AND EQUIPMENT to find throughout the world.
  • 30–40 HOURS OF STORY CONTENT involving war, betrayal, redemption, and destiny.

ONE FENIX DOWN is a story-focused RPG with classic gameplay elements. Players will explore a vast world across multiple kingdoms and continents using top-down exploration and engaging in turn-based battles. The game deliberately evokes the feeling of 90s RPGs with its 16-bit pixel art style and classic overworld map and dungeon structure, prioritizing a nostalgic experience over modern graphics. It’s a game focused on creating a specific feeling and immersive experience for the player.

ONE FENIX DOWN emphasizes building a strong team and planning for the long haul, especially with its large cast of over 14 playable characters. Each character has unique abilities and a specific role in battle, making team composition and swapping characters a key part of strategy and winning fights. The game encourages experimentation with elemental magic, martial arts, traps, monster skills, and a huge variety of items. This allows players to tackle difficult challenges in creative ways. While the 30-40 hour story about war, betrayal, redemption, and destiny may seem familiar, it highlights the game’s commitment to classic JRPG storytelling, keeping the narrative front and center.

With its unique qualities, ONE FENIX DOWN has the potential to be a significant addition to the JRPG genre, not just a copy of existing games. The game has been in development for almost a decade, with a strong emphasis on the core elements that made classics like Final Fantasy 6 on the SNES so memorable. As the Q2 2026 Steam release nears, players will soon be able to see the results of all that work. It’s still uncertain if it will become a classic itself, but the thoughtful design and dedication of the developer suggest it could be much more than just a nostalgic throwback.

ONE FENIX DOWN launches on Steam in Q2 2026.

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2026-01-18 23:05