The story ended on a true cliffhanger as well, enticing players to keep their subscriptions running. The most interesting location and characters are introduced just as it’s wrapping up. In its final hours, the game introduces an entire skill system that can be used to pick custom battle abilities. Rather than cleanly cutting off after a big boss fight, Fantasian suddenly cracks wide open. Part one was an excellent snippet of the game, but a bit of a tease, too. Its sudden August release came as such a surprise that I was left scrambling into my account to make sure it was still active. Part two only had a vague 2021 release date attached to it, so players didn’t know when it would shadow drop. Fantasian’s odd release cycle gave players a reason to keep paying. Through its lifespan, the service has gained a reputation for being something that players can subscribe to once every six months, cram in a bunch of short games, and unsubscribe. As a subscription service, Apple Arcade needs consistent subscribers to stay afloat. In retrospect, it was a smart - though frustrating - strategy on Apple’s part. Part two wouldn’t hit the platform until August 13, piling another 40 hours onto the game’s runtime. Developer Mistwalker released the first part of the game, containing around 15 to 20 hours of gameplay.

The game half-launched on Apple Arcade in April as part of a strange release plan. That was an immediate entry point for curious players, but the real hook is its classic RPG systems, formula innovations, and intriguing world. The game drew attention before its launch due to its gorgeous art style, which uses real, handcrafted dioramas for its sets. The modern Chrono Triggerįantasian is a JRPG written and produced by Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi, with an original score by legendary game composer Nobuo Uematsu. If you’re looking for that game on Apple Arcade, it’s Fantasian. That’s the one exclusive game that’s so “can’t miss” it’s capable of selling a console or subscription through its own strength alone. The service has only improved in 2021 as well by adding classic mobile hits to its ever-expanding lineup.īut when it comes to gaming platforms, players are programmed to look for one thing: The ever-elusive killer app. The service has delivered a string of excellent games since it launched, from Grindstone to Alba: A Wildlife Adventure. What’s funny, though, is that Apple Arcade has proven itself time and time again.

Gaming is the one area where Apple still has to constantly prove itself. Plus, it’s only available to players who own Apple products. The company has had to fight against a misguided, ongoing stigma that many still have against mobile as a legitimate gaming platform. With a sudden influx of gaming services in the past few years, Apple’s mobile gaming platform has never been top of mind for most gamers.

Fantasian platform