Final Fantasy Resonance marks Square Enix's debut of the HD-2D visual style within the storied franchise, bringing a reimagined version of the mobile game Final Fantasy Brave Exvius to modern platforms. This approach, reminiscent of beloved 16-bit RPGs like Final Fantasy VI, enhances a title that was originally designed for touch controls, offering a more traditional console experience.
The reimagining closely follows the narrative of Brave Exvius's initial season, centering on characters Rain, Lasswell, Fina, and Lid. The transition to console has necessitated a complete overhaul of the control system and introduced features characteristic of classic Final Fantasy titles. Players can now traverse an overworld map, with the added convenience of summoning a chocobo for faster travel. Exploration and pacing have been significantly expanded beyond the streamlined structure of the mobile original.
Resonance adopts a turn-based combat system that bears similarities to Octopath Traveler, featuring a visible turn order timeline and a stagger system. However, this stagger mechanic differs from Octopath Traveler's emphasis on exploiting enemy weaknesses. Instead, Final Fantasy Resonance incorporates familiar series staples such as Phoenix Downs for reviving fallen party members and elemental magic spells that can be strategically exploited, as demonstrated by the advantage of Blizzard spells in the demo's Wind temple environment. Players also have the choice between single-target or area-of-effect spell usage.
The game elevates the HD-2D aesthetic with recent advancements. Character sprites are larger and more proportionally rendered, a departure from earlier HD-2D titles, while enemies are also more detailed. Hand-painted portrait illustrations add expressiveness to characters, aiding in differentiation and appreciation, a feature also seen in The Adventures of Elliot. Dynamic camera work, including a closer, tilted-up perspective during gameplay and more cinematic cutscenes, enhances the presentation. This approach also contributes to visually striking Limit Breaks, such as Lid's mecha chocobo summon or Fina's aerial holy ray attack.
A key carryover from Brave Exvius is the Visions system, which allows for the summoning of characters from across the Final Fantasy series' history. While originally unlocked via a gacha system in the mobile game, Visions function differently in Resonance. They act as equippable companions to each party member, offering their own spells and abilities that can be used during a turn, functioning similarly to personas in the Persona series. Visions can be leveled up using magical shards to unlock new abilities. Familiar faces like Noctis from Final Fantasy XV, Cloud from Final Fantasy VII, and Terra from Final Fantasy VI were available in the demo. In the full game, acquiring new Visions will involve locating Vision sanctums and answering questions related to the specific Vision, serving as a quiz to test players' Final Fantasy knowledge. This method integrates a core element of Brave Exvius without relying on free-to-play mechanics for a paid title, though the final count of adapted Visions remains unconfirmed.
When all enemies are staggered simultaneously, players can unleash a Resonance Attack, the evolution of Brave Exvius's Limit Bursts. These are presented as elaborate CG sequences. While the widescreen presentation is an upgrade from mobile portrait mode, the use of older CG animations, rather than incorporating them into the HD-2D style, creates a jarring disconnect. This visual inconsistency is further compounded by these older animations being voiced only in Japanese, creating dissonance when not exclusively using Japanese audio. Another aspect of Resonance Attacks is the forced sequence of action where players must still input commands for other party members and wait for their attacks to resolve before the Resonance Attack executes, even against already weakened foes. This can make the ultimate attack feel like unnecessary overkill, though it's noted that the demo party was intentionally overleveled.
Despite these minor criticisms, Final Fantasy Resonance appears to be a compelling HD-2D debut for the franchise. It pushes Square Enix's visual style forward and offers fans an accessible way to experience the Brave Exvius story without the original's free-to-play monetization. The game is scheduled to release on October 22 for Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.