As a seasoned gamer and tech enthusiast who has seen the evolution of mobile gaming from its humble beginnings to the powerhouse it is today, I must say that my initial experience with Fantasian on Apple Arcade was nothing short of enchanting. The unique blend of storytelling, artistry, and gameplay hooked me right away. But when given the opportunity to revisit this magical world on console, I couldn’t resist diving back in, especially with the promise of improved visuals and a smoother experience.
The much-anticipated game “Fantasian Neo Dimension,” a collaboration between Mistwalker and Square Enix, is now available for consoles and PC, having first been introduced on Apple Arcade several years ago. I initially played it in 2021 on my iPhone and iPad, given Apple’s role, I wasn’t expecting it to be adapted beyond possibly a PC release. However, seeing it released not just on consoles but also with some extra features has been delightful. As we approach its launch, I’ve been testing Fantasian Neo Dimension on both Nintendo Switch and Xbox Series X to provide insights into how it performs on these platforms. I plan to update this review once I’ve tested the PS5 physical edition, but for now, let me share my impressions of Fantasian Neo Dimension on Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and a comparison with the Apple Arcade version.
When I first played Fantasian on Apple Arcade, I ran into a few minor performance issues. Barring that, it played well and looked excellent. There are some instances where the camera zooming into specific diorama portions looked blurry or where certain effects feel out of place, but it was a polished game on the devices I tried it on. I revisited it a year ago on a MacBook Air with M1 chip and also my iPhone 15 Pro. Fantasian on Apple Arcade was capped at 60fps and basically ran almost perfectly even on slightly older devices. When Fantasian Neo Dimension was announced, I was curious to see how the game would scale across the board. I also re-downloaded Fantasian on my old iPad Air 2 as a point of comparison for load times and performance.
Fantasian Neo Dimension new features
Before discussing performance, load times, and aesthetic changes, it’s worth noting that the new version of Fantasian Neo Dimension offers some additional features compared to the original Apple Arcade game. These include an easier difficulty setting (compared to the hard mode in the Apple Arcade version), a battle music selector featuring Final Fantasy tunes, and voice acting available in both English and Japanese. It remains uncertain whether these new features will be incorporated into the original Apple Arcade game.
Fantasian Neo Dimension – Nintendo Switch load times
In this discussion, I’d like to zero in on the main problem that Fantasian Neo Dimension for Nintendo Switch is currently facing: its excessive load times. While it isn’t unusual for some games to have longer load times on Nintendo’s hybrid system, the frequent load screens during transitions in Fantasian Neo Dimension are longer than expected. This becomes particularly noticeable in a game with numerous battles and screen changes.
In simpler terms, you’ll encounter minimal load times with Fantasian on Apple Arcade, except perhaps on the oldest supported devices. For instance, an iPad Air 2 (released in 2014) might take around 9 seconds to load the initial battle and approximately 8 seconds for subsequent battles. On the other hand, the Nintendo Switch version, played on a newer model like the OLED, loads within about 8 seconds for the same encounter. Even random battles on the Switch require at least 6-7 seconds, whereas the Xbox Series X version takes only 3 seconds or less. Interestingly, the Fantasian Neo Dimension version, which is available on Apple Arcade, includes a small loading indicator during transitions between locations or battle screens. This was not present in the original version, and the lack of a loading indicator could sometimes make the game appear frozen during lengthy load times on older Apple devices.
In the initial town, moving into and out of any store or structure on my iPhone’s Apple Arcade original version takes just a quick 1-2 seconds. However, this can extend up to 5 seconds on the Nintendo Switch. Over time, these delays, combined with certain performance issues on the Switch, make for an experience I wish were smoother on Nintendo’s hybrid console. Conversely, the Xbox Series X version mirrors the Apple Arcade game on my iPhone 15 Pro in terms of loading speed when entering and exiting shops or buildings.
After spending a few hours playing, I wanted to verify if the game’s load times were due to any possible SD card problems. So, I decided to reinstall the game onto my Nintendo Switch OLED’s internal memory and tested it not just with my old saves, but also with a fresh file. Unfortunately, I got the same results. I can only hope that future updates will improve this situation, as the Switch version of Fantasian Neo Dimension currently falls short of expectations.
Fantasian Neo Dimension – visual and performance upgrades over Apple Arcade
In Fantasian, available on Apple Arcade, users could choose between two frame rates (30fps and 60fps) and two graphics quality options (low and high). For Xbox Series X and PS5, Square Enix has confirmed 4K support, and the Neo Dimension version of Fantasian looks stunning on Xbox Series X, except for a few areas where the zoomed-in camera uncovers some lower quality textures in the scans. Additionally, some UI elements haven’t been optimized for higher resolution displays, making them appear outdated on larger screens like TVs. However, these issues were not significant when playing on an iPhone. Overall, I have few complaints about how Fantasian Neo Dimension performs and looks on Xbox Series X. On the other hand, the modern Apple devices’ version of Fantasian was impressive, but seeing the Xbox Series X version of Fantasian Neo Dimension on my 1440p monitor is an even more enjoyable experience.
Fantasian Neo Dimension Xbox Series X Screenshots
On Nintendo Switch, Fantasian Neo Dimension started off impressively with a goal of 60fps and looking sharp in handheld mode. However, performance issues soon surfaced due to long loading times (which I’ve previously discussed), and unfortunately, the frame rate target isn’t consistently met across many locations. This is evident in the initial town where the frame rate varies slightly, and it remains inconsistent while navigating on the world map. While the performance problems on Switch aren’t severe enough to completely discount the game given its hardware and how similar games using the same engine perform, the load times are indeed problematic. Additionally, Fantasian Neo Dimension could have benefited from some post-processing for the main models on Switch, as there are noticeable jagged edges and shimmering effects. However, these issues pale in comparison to the load times.
The Nintendo Switch version of the game exceeded my expectations, considering some loading times and minor performance hiccups. It consistently runs at 60 frames per second, which is impressive in many aspects. Additionally, it looks fantastic both docked and in handheld mode. Surprisingly, despite being initially designed for Apple Arcade, Fantasian Neo Dimension’s visual appeal is even more striking when played on the Xbox Series X and the Switch’s OLED screen.
Is it worth getting Fantasian Neo Dimension on console if you already played it on Apple Arcade?
As a dedicated gamer, I can confidently say that if you’re looking to dive back into the captivating world of Fantasian, the Neo Dimension edition is the way to go. This version, crafted by Mistwalker, stands tall as the finest iteration of their RPG masterpiece. The original game was a personal favorite of mine, and I had always planned on revisiting its enchanting realms. However, if you’re not too fussed about voice acting or crave a more challenging experience, there might not be enough new content to warrant another playthrough.
Read More
- SUI PREDICTION. SUI cryptocurrency
- „People who loved Dishonored and Prey are going to feel very at home.” Arkane veteran sparks appetite for new, untitled RPG
- LDO PREDICTION. LDO cryptocurrency
- Destiny 2: A Closer Look at the Proposed In-Game Mailbox System
- Clash Royale Deck Discussion: Strategies and Sentiments from the Community
- Jennifer Love Hewitt Made a Christmas Movie to Help Process Her Grief
- ICP PREDICTION. ICP cryptocurrency
- Naughty Dog’s Intergalactic Was Inspired By Akira And Cowboy Bebop
- Critics Share Concerns Over Suicide Squad’s DLC Choices: Joker, Lawless, and Mrs. Freeze
- EUR IDR PREDICTION
2024-12-04 14:26