Final Fantasy RESONANCE Brings Turn-Based Combat Back This October

One of the more surprising reveals at the recent gaming showcase was Final Fantasy RESONANCE, a new turn-based RPG from Square Enix that immediately captured the interest of long-time Final Fantasy fans. At a time when many players have been asking for a return to traditional turn-based combat, the reveal feels like a direct response to that demand. 

While it may not carry the massive budget or visual scale of recent entries like Final Fantasy XVI, the project is offering something many fans have wanted for years. The game is scheduled to launch on October 22 across major platforms.

The announcement has sparked plenty of discussion because it arrives during an ongoing debate about the future of the franchise. Many fans have expressed a desire for a turn-based Final Fantasy game built with the production values of modern blockbuster releases. 

Others have pointed to recent successes in the genre as proof that turn-based RPGs can still thrive today. Final Fantasy RESONANCE is going in a different direction, blending classic gameplay with an HD-2D style that combines retro-inspired visuals with modern technology.

That visual style might seem less impressive than the spectacle of recent mainline entries for some players. 

That said, HD-2D has earned a cult following for managing to retain the charm of classic RPGs with the addition of modern effects, lighting, and cinematic presentation. Resonance doesn’t seem to want to compete with the biggest AAA releases but rather create a different kind of experience. The result is a game that feels nostalgic yet embraces contemporary design.

One area that has caused some confusion is the game's connection to the mobile title Final Fantasy Brave Exvius. According to details shared through recent previews, Resonance uses the story and characters from Brave Exvius as its foundation. However, it is not simply a remake or direct adaptation of the mobile game. 

That distinction is important because Brave Exvius spent years operating as a live-service gacha title. While the mobile game built a dedicated fanbase and earned praise for its story, some players remain skeptical whenever a new project is connected to a former gacha release.

Resonance appears designed to address those concerns by preserving the narrative and removing the mechanics that typically accompany mobile monetization. For fans of Brave Exvius, it also provides an opportunity to revisit that story in a more traditional RPG format.

Many players who experienced Brave Exvius have long praised its narrative, which is one reason the announcement has generated excitement among existing fans. With the mobile game no longer active, Resonance effectively serves as a way to preserve and reintroduce that storyline. 

From a gameplay perspective, Resonance is fully committed to turn-based combat. This is not a hybrid action system, nor does it use an Active Time Battle mechanic. Battles unfold through traditional turn-based encounters that emphasize strategy and planning. For players who have been hoping for a straightforward turn-based Final Fantasy experience, that commitment may be one of the game's strongest selling points.

Combat is about exploiting enemy weaknesses and managing a vulnerability system. 

You want to exploit an opponent’s weaknesses, to disorient them and expose them for more turns and stronger attacks. This mechanic rewards strategic party composition and careful decision-making in combat. Success is not determined by brute force, but by knowledge of enemy behavior and exploitation of tactical advantages.

The game is expected to offer a substantial amount of content as well. Current estimates place the main story between 30 and 40 hours in length. Completionists who want to experience everything the game has to offer can expect closer to 60 to 80 hours of gameplay. That puts Resonance in line with many modern RPGs despite its lower price point and smaller production scope.

Perhaps the most talked-about feature revealed so far is the Vision system. The mechanic has drawn comparisons to Persona because it allows players to equip powerful entities that assist them in battle. But Resonance does things a little differently, putting a distinctly Final Fantasy spin on things and creating equippable Visions out of iconic characters from across the series. 

So far, confirmed characters include Cloud from Final Fantasy VII, with more heroes from other mainline entries expected to make appearances, too. Early reports suggest that every numbered Final Fantasy game could have at least one major character represented. These Visions act as companions that enhance combat and unlock special abilities. 

But not everyone is convinced by the idea. Some players have already raised concerns that including iconic characters this way could be seen as a gimmick to get attention. Some have pointed out that the game’s roots are in Brave Exvius, where crossover characters were a major feature.

If the core gameplay and story are solid, then the Vision system could just be another element of customization rather than a distraction. For many gamers, adding beloved characters to a turn-based RPG is a welcome addition. Cloud or other franchise icons don’t change the success of the game as an RPG, fundamentally. 

The game's pricing also makes it stand out in today's market. 

Resonance will launch at $49.99 rather than the increasingly common $69.99 price point. With game budgets continuing to rise and major releases becoming more expensive, a lower-priced RPG with a lengthy campaign could prove appealing. Players are still receiving dozens of hours of content without paying full premium pricing.

Story details released by Square Enix paint a familiar but intriguing Final Fantasy adventure. The game takes place in the Kingdom of Grandshelt, where peace has been maintained through the power of magical crystals. That peace is broken when Rain, commander of an airship squadron, is sent to investigate a disturbance at the Earth Shrine. 

Inside the shrine, Rain and his childhood friend Lasswell encounter a mysterious warrior in black armor. The stranger is overwhelmingly powerful, easily defeating the two heroes and destroying the Earth Crystal. They survive the encounter, but the enemy destroys their airship and kills many of their allies. The assault is the start of a far larger crisis.

Back home, Rain and Lasswell discover that Grandshelt itself is under attack. The armored warrior Veritas of the Dark strikes again with a devastating attack, and the heroes are once more outmatched. When Rain and Lasswell realize the rest of the crystals are in danger, they embark on a journey to stop him.

Fina emerges from the Earth Crystal with no memories but her name. She is an expert in white magic, archery, and communication with Espers, despite her memory loss. She doesn't know how she got these abilities, nor why she has such strange talents. One of the main threads that drive the narrative forward is her mysterious origins.

The cast is based on archetypes from familiar RPGs, and each character comes with their backstory. Rain is the idealistic protagonist struggling with unresolved feelings about his absent father. Lasswell is his disciplined, reliable counterweight to Rain's impulsiveness and lack of judgment. 

Veritas of the Dark is the main antagonist and one of the strongest characters in the story. 

His goal is to destroy the crystals of the world and plunge the kingdom into chaos. He is accompanied by other, more mysterious characters, whose motives are not entirely clear. One particularly intriguing character is a woman who hates Veritas so much she joins the heroes, but she has her own secrets.

According to Square Enix, Resonance’s visuals "take a modern approach to classic pixel art.” Dynamic camera moves, sophisticated lighting, and detailed environmental effects make for a show that is both retro and modern. The developers seem less interested in just remaking older RPGs. 

Players will also find a range of side activities and optional content outside of the main storyline. Square Enix revealed that players will fight Gilgamesh, a coliseum of monsters, the Chamber of Arms, and battles against powerful optional bosses. Legendary weapons and hidden secrets are scattered throughout the world as well. 

The game's broader significance may extend beyond its own release. 

Mainline Final Fantasy titles have become large, expensive productions that take years to develop. Smaller projects like Resonance can also allow Square Enix to deliver new RPG experiences more frequently. If they succeed, they could help bridge the gap between major releases while exploring gameplay styles that are different from that of the main series.

Many fans continue to hope that future numbered Final Fantasy titles eventually revisit turn-based combat in some form. Whether that happens remains uncertain. In the meantime, Resonance provides an alternative that embraces many of the traditions longtime fans have been asking for. 

The RPG launches this year look like some of the more compelling ones, and Final Fantasy RESONANCE, with its October 22 release date, is one of them. It’s unique within the franchise for its combination of classic mechanics, HD-2D visuals, and a beloved story foundation.