Square Enix has unveiled a new trailer for Final Fantasy Resonance, an HD2D graphical overhaul of the mobile gacha game Final Fantasy Brave Exvius. The remake was first announced during a Nintendo Switch showcase earlier this summer. Resonance adapts the narrative of Brave Exvius and presents it with a visual style reminiscent of Octopath Traveler.
The trailer poses the question, "What if Final Fantasy had continued to push the limits of pixel art?" This suggests a potential realization of early Final Fantasy developers' visions, with modern technology allowing for the rendering of fantastic battles as originally conceived. The game's aesthetic features a detailed pixel art style that has drawn praise.
In contrast to recent entries that explore more mature themes, Resonance appears to return to the foundational elements of the Final Fantasy series. The story centers on classic themes such as crystals, antagonists aiming to destroy them, and a group of disparate characters banding together to prevent this. The trailer also confirms the appearance of characters from across the Final Fantasy series' history, including Cloud, due to the game's origins as a Brave Exvius spin-off. The decision to revive Brave Exvius' story from its mobile game context and make it more broadly accessible on consoles is a notable move by Square Enix. The possibility exists that successful reception of Resonance could lead to similar remakes of other lesser-known Final Fantasy titles.