Final Fantasy Resonance, Square Enix's reimagining of its defunct mobile title Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, has shown considerable promise in early previews. The game, developed by Team Asano, Creative Studio 5, and Lancarse Ltd., is slated for an October 22nd release on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and the Switch 2. Despite being played under less-than-ideal circumstances at Gamescom 2026, the title managed to captivate with its production values, deep combat system, and striking visuals.
Resonance adapts the first story arc of Brave Exvius, titled 'Lapis,' transforming it into a traditional single-player RPG. Players will follow the journey of Rain and his companions, Lasswell and Fina, as they strive to protect the world's crystals from the destructive Veritas of the Dark. This narrative direction echoes the early mainline Final Fantasy titles, but the game extends beyond a simple reskin of its mobile predecessor. Significant new elements include its graphics, battle system, and music, marking it as the first proper HD-2D Final Fantasy game.
Deep Combat Mechanics Unveiled
The preview experience focused on a single dungeon culminating in a challenging boss encounter. Resonance features a traditional turn-based combat system, eschewing the Active Time Battle (ATB) mechanics common in the series. A UI element clearly indicates player and enemy turn order. A key combat feature is the 'stagger' bar, which fills as players land attacks. Depleting this bar stuns enemies, interrupting their powerful moves and exposing their weaknesses. Strategic use of elements, buffs, and debuffs is crucial for success, suggesting that brute force alone will not suffice.
Players can equip 'Visions,' which manifest as iconic Final Fantasy characters, granting additional abilities. The demo included the Warrior of Light (Final Fantasy I), Cloud (Final Fantasy VII), and two original Resonance characters. Noctis from Final Fantasy XV was also discoverable within the dungeon. Success against the demo's Wind Dragoon boss, for instance, required exploiting its weakness to ice attacks before unleashing powerful 'Ultimate moves.' These flashy abilities not only inflict significant damage but also provide party-wide buffs, with some focusing on healing, attack boosts, or stamina damage reduction. Experimentation with party composition and Vision loadouts will be essential to mastering the game's intricacies.
Achieving enough damage to both stagger and deplete enemy health can grant bonus turns, allowing for more actions while the boss's extensive health bar is chipped away. The combat system has been likened to a blend of the Octopath Traveler series and echoes of the Shin Megami Tensei series' 'Press Turn' system. The game's engaging mechanics, even amidst the chaotic environment of a convention floor, successfully transported the player into its world, offering a compelling loop of strategic depth and rewarding progression.
While initially viewed with skepticism as a potential fan-service cash grab, Final Fantasy Resonance appears to offer a novel gameplay experience that thoughtfully incorporates beloved elements from the franchise's past. This approach has led to high expectations for the final release, with some suggesting it fulfills a long-standing desire for a return to the series' turn-based roots and pixel art aesthetics.