Final Fantasy XII and Tactics Composer Hitoshi Sakimoto ‘would love to see a new story set in Ivalice’
- ⚡Xe⚡
- 1 minute ago
- 3 min read
Hitoshi Sakimoto discussed his work on Final Fantasy titles in an interview with RPG Site ahead of The Colors of Harmony concert celebrating his 40th anniversary.
"I think I was asked by Matsuno-san to make it orchestral-style, but I'm not 100% sure. I also was told, 'Don't align it too much with Uematsu-san's style. Make your own music.'"
Sakimoto initially tried composing in the traditional Final Fantasy style before shifting to his own approach.
"As a Final Fantasy fan myself, but also as a fan of Uematsu-san, when I was told to compose my own soundtrack, I felt like it should have a bit of that Final Fantasy style that we love. I did try and compose a song in the Final Fantasy style that we knew up until then, but I actually failed, and that's why I decided to go ahead and compose my own soundtrack, like I had been told from the start by Matsuno-san."
He also explained how budget limitations affected the original Final Fantasy XII soundtrack.
"When they made Final Fantasy XII at the start, there was only a budget for the opening and the ending in orchestral style. When the remaster was coming out, there was a budget for making more orchestral songs. The producer at the time was Mr Kato, and Mr Kato was a good producer because he allocated the right amount of budget for the music, and told me to make all of it orchestral music, and that made me very happy that I could make it all orchestral for the remaster."
Sakimoto also shared his thoughts on the Ivalice setting.
"The world of Ivalice, created by Mr Matsuno, is grand and sometimes harsh, but also full of warmth and human emotion. It’s a very unique setting. Personally, I would love to see a new story set in Ivalice."
When asked whether he would prefer a new Final Fantasy Tactics or an Ogre Battle project, Sakimoto chose the latter.
"Given what we've spoken about so far and what I've said, I would choose Ogre Battle."
He noted that Vagrant Story music will be performed live for the first time at the concert. On the possibility of a new studio recording of the Vagrant Story soundtrack, he said:
"I’m not in a position to speak about Square Enix’s future plans, but Vagrant Story includes many pieces that would require very challenging orchestration. If I were to record it again, I would want to do so with a large percussion setup."
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About FINAL FANTASY XII
FINAL FANTASY XII invites players into the vast world of Ivalice, a land where magic and technology coexist amid warring empires. The story unfolds in the kingdom of Dalmasca, newly conquered by the mighty Archadian Empire. Amid the occupation, a young orphan named Vaan dreams of freedom and of becoming a sky pirate, soaring above the clouds beyond the reach of war.
When Vaan encounters Princess Ashe, the last surviving heir to Dalmasca’s throne, he is drawn into her quest to restore her homeland’s independence. Together with sky pirate Balthier, his partner Fran, and other allies bound by fate, they uncover a struggle that reaches far beyond their borders — one tied to ancient relics known as the nethicite, stones of immense power that can determine the destiny of nations.
This is a tale of rebellion and liberation, where heroes from all walks of life rise against tyranny to decide the future of Ivalice.
About FINAL FANTASY TACTICS - The Ivalice Chronicles
Since its original release in 1997, the award-winning FINAL FANTASY TACTICS has sold millions of copies worldwide and is a legendary title in the tactical RPG genre. Faithfully brought to modern platforms by a team composed of both original development members who worked on the original game along with new faces, FINAL FANTASY TACTICS - The Ivalice Chronicles recreates the 1997 release for old and new fans alike, releasing on all major platforms on September 30, 2025.