Hironobu Sakaguchi, the visionary behind the Final Fantasy series, left Square in 2003, and the repercussions were deeply felt, not just by fans of the iconic JRPG series but within the company itself. According to Nobuo Uematsu, the composer who worked alongside Sakaguchi for years, Square’s structure began to unravel after his departure. Uematsu recently reflected on their time together in a conversation on the NOBIYO To Isshoni podcast, where he described Square in its early days as more of a student club than a professional company. 
Despite the lack of formal organization, Sakaguchi led the charge, and his presence was undeniably powerful.
Uematsu recalled that Sakaguchi’s influence was so strong that everyone at Square listened to him, even though they were just starting out. His leadership helped turn the company into a respected name in gaming. But when Sakaguchi left, the company’s stability quickly crumbled. According to Uematsu, it was so bad that he even considered leaving himself. The turmoil continued as Square merged with Enix, the publisher behind Dragon Quest, with many other key figures leaving during that crucial time.
Despite the challenges, Square Enix managed to regain its footing. Uematsu and Sakaguchi’s collaboration continues to be celebrated in FANTASIAN: Neo Dimension, a JRPG port that launched on PC and consoles after initially being released on Apple Arcade. The game carries Sakaguchi’s signature touch, making it feel like a natural extension of the Final Fantasy legacy, a fact that was evident in its review. Even though Sakaguchi’s departure marked a significant turning point for Square, his influence remains unmistakable in the games that continue to carry his name and vision forward.