Square Enix Final Fantasy comics may continue to modernize, but that hasn't erased the audience that still prefers its roots. Indeed, despite how far Final Fantasy has come since its North American debut in 1990, several of its older entries are widely considered its pinnacle. One of them is Final Fantasy 6originally released on the SNES but still considered the pinnacle of the series, its enduring reputation continues to draw other developers back to that era in an attempt to replicate its success and recapture its magic. A PHOENIX DOWN is such a project. Inspired by the classic lineage, the upcoming RPG is currently scheduled to launch in the second quarter of 2026 Steammarching ahead of a full decade spent in development.
A PHOENIX DOWN is an upcoming JRPG by Regalcraft Games inspired by classic Final Fantasy games, namely those from the SNES golden era of the series. Channeling that era's emphasis on character-driven storytelling, turn-based combat, and careful pacing, the game clearly aims to appeal to those who crave 90s JRPGs while being a nostalgic throwback. However, what makes it such a captivating project to witness is the 10 years it has spent in development. Now, with its Steam launch waiting just around the corner, those years will finally be put into perspective, as A PHOENIX DOWN preparing to move from a long-term passion project to a fleshed-out release.
ONE FENIX DOWN's Road to Release
- EARLY DEVELOPMENT BEGINS (2016) – Solo indie developer RC Dunn begins work on A PHOENIX DOWN as a passion project inspired by SNES JRPGs and Final Fantasy-style game.
- STEAM PRESENCE DISPLAYED (February 19, 2024) – Regalcraft Games officially announces A PHOENIX DOWN and its Steam store page.
- DEMO Released (July 25, 2024) – A free Steam demo goes live and offers about 30 minutes of core mechanics and story.
- KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN (August 2024) – A crowdfunding campaign is being run to support OST composers and stretch goals while demo demand grows.
- COMMUNITY MILESTONE (12 Dec 2025) – Dev is making great progress, including the completion of the main story after almost a decade.
- FULL GAME SCHEDULED FOR DELIVERY (Q2 2026) – A PHOENIX DOWN is slated to launch on Steam in Spring/Summer 2026.
A PHOENIX DOWN didn't follow a typical indie development timeline. Work on the game began about a decade ago as a side project by solo developer RC Dunn, and for much of that time it stayed behind the curtains, opting for a slower, more contemplative marathon than a sprint to the finish line. Over the years, the game grew with characters, game systems, and story elements being added and reworked. More than anything else, that approach has shown how seriously Dunn has taken this project and how much it seems he wants A PHOENIX DOWN to be more than a replica and instead something that contributes a valuable addition to the library of classic JRPGs.
It wasn't until 2024 that A PHOENIX DOWN was actually starting to feel like a project approaching the finish line. The release of a Steam demo gave players their first real opportunity to experience its battle and party systems, while the Kickstarter that followed helped support the game in its final stages of development. With a Q2 2026 launch now in sight, the game that was once just an idea is finally ready to materialize into something more, bringing to life almost 10 years of development at once.
ONE FENIX DOWN looks perfect for classic Final Fantasy fans A PHOENIX DOWN looks like it could really contribute something worthwhile to the JRPG genre rather than just borrowing from it.
The RPG genre has long been considered one of the few that doesn't need cutting-edge graphics and animations to offer a worthwhile experience, and instead thrives on satisfying gameplay and compelling stories. Games like Final Fantasy 6 embodies that philosophy to a tee, and it's the same approach that RC Dunn seems to take with A PHOENIX DOWN. The upcoming JRPG seems comfortable in the idea that it doesn't need to look modern to be worth playing, as long as it has the basics down in what makes a game like it work.
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.
- SNES-STYLE 16-BIT PIXEL GRAPHICS with nostalgic sprite work.
- EXPLORATION TOP-DOWN reminiscent of classic JRPGs.
- BIG WORLD spanning multiple kingdoms and continents.
- WORLD MAP MEETINGS and classic JRPG exploration systems.
- POWERFUL SKILL including elemental magic, martial arts, traps and monster abilities.
- 14+ PLAYABLE CHARACTERS with unique roles, skills and strategic synergies.
- PARTY SWITCH MECHANICS which keeps combat and strategy fresh.
- HUNDREDS OF ITEMS AND EQUIPMENT to be found all over the world.
- 30-40 HOURS OF STORY CONTENT involving war, betrayal, redemption and destiny.
At its core, A PHOENIX DOWN is a story-driven RPG built around turn-based combat, top-down exploration, and a world that gradually evolves as players progress through the story. Set across multiple kingdoms and continents, the game even features the classic overworld map and dungeon-focused progression associated with the games its inspirations are rooted in. A PHOENIX DOWN16-bit pixel art graphics unabashedly lean into 90s nostalgia without trying to modernize it in the slightest, which just goes to show that this game isn't trying to be about what players see as much as it's about what they feel and experience.
mechanical, A PHOENIX DOWN focuses on party composition and long-term strategy, and all the more so as its 14+ playable character roster emerges. Each playable character in the game also has their own skills and battle roles, enhancing the game's party switching system and putting it at the center of strategy and success in battle. Elemental magic, martial arts, traps and monster-based skills, along with hundreds of items and equipment options will undoubtedly lend to A PHOENIX DOWNs experimental side as well, allowing players to approach the game's most challenging encounters in a way that complements each unique situation. Finally, its 30- to 40-hour story centered around war, betrayal, redemption, and destiny may sound like something that's been done before, but it's even more evidence of the game's desire to stay true to classic JRPG design—especially with its story at its heart.
Given these features, A PHOENIX DOWN looks like it could really contribute something worthwhile to the JRPG genre rather than just borrowing from it. Nearly 10 years of development have gone into building its story, characters and gameplay, all with a clear focus on the fundamentals that defined gaming as Final Fantasy 6 from the SNES era. Now, with the Q2 2026 Steam release approaching, players will finally be able to experience the culmination of those years. Whether it ultimately deserves a place among the classics that inspired it remains to be seen, but the care behind the design and the dedication of its developers makes it feel like it could be more than just a retro homage.
A PHOENIX DOWN starts on Steam during the second quarter of 2026.
