Let’s take a look at Final Fantasy Resonance, the FF series’ first HD-2D title, and return to its classic turn-based, pixel art roots.
A New Tale of the Crystals Begins
More Than Just A Nostalgia Trip
Final Fantasy Resonance brings back the turn-based legacy that defined the series—and that fans have been requesting for years. I knew right away that the game would be a love letter to long-time fans who miss retro turn-based combat, but it turned out to be way more than just a throwback.
Instead of just relying on classic pixel art, the game upgrades its visuals to a gorgeous HD-2D style with mesmerizing 3D environments that fit the genre perfectly. That nostalgic yet refreshing vibe carries right over into exploration, too, bringing back classic overworld travel between towns on chocobo-back, alongside polished, treasure-packed dungeons.
Returning mechanics like stagger gauges, summons, job classes, and limit breaks make combat feel instantly familiar. However, the added visual flair and seamless meshing of each feature make for satisfying combo chains that set it apart from previous FF titles.
On top of its classic combat and fresh visuals, the game packs in over 38 years of Final Fantasy history. The game lets you equip iconic heroes like Cloud, Terra, the Warrior of Light, and others as Visions to unleash their signature moves in battle. Collecting them is a blast from the past in its own right, flashing iconic scenes from their original games and even tossing in a fun little compatibility quiz when you acquire them.
These features and the inclusion of concepts like airships, espers, and magitek have defined Final Fantasy for nearly four decades. While all of it feels familiar, I came into FF Resonance hoping to do more than just relive the past. I wanted to experience a fresh Final Fantasy entry on its own terms.
For The Kingdom of Grandshelt
Starting with an explosive look at the historical war between magic and machines, the narrative grabs your attention immediately with its cinematic pixel presentation while working the tutorial into the action. It then snaps to the present in the Kingdom of Grandshelt, introducing airship commander Rain as the main protagonist, with his brother Lasswell as they investigate a distress call at the Earth Shrine.
There, they witness an attack by the Sworn Six of Paladia and rescue a magical girl named Fina, who is capable of summoning Espers into battle. This catastrophe sets off the entire narrative in motion, and with the world on the line, Rain, Lasswell, and Fina set off to track down the Sworn Six and stop them for good.
The trio’s chemistry was very entertaining with their constant back-and-forth banter, quirky conversations, and how well their distinct personalities clash and mesh as they travel across the land.
Along the way, they meet plenty of locals affected by the chaos and step up to help, venturing into dungeons and dangerous zones to keep people safe. But realizing they're still no match for the Sworn Six as they are, the group also hunts down powerful Visions and Espers scattered across the land to give themselves a fighting chance.
Demo Impressions
While Final Fantasy Resonance adapts the characters, story, and lore from Square Enix’s hit mobile game Brave Exvius, it rewrites the scenario for console pacing, adding deeper backstories and brand-new story scenes. Although the game boasts plenty of depth with its Visions, class system, and Summons, it eases you into each mechanic one by one, keeping the learning curve smooth and approachable.
The demo covers all of Chapter 1, giving you about 3 to 4 hours of main story content, plus another 1 to 2 hours if you dive into side quests and extra exploration. The storytelling is a definite standout, as Rain and his allies are easy to root for with how much passion they have in saving the world and protecting everyone they meet along the way despite the odds stacked against them.
Aside from the main narrative, the side stories also pack in action and drama. The storylines for Airship Engineer Scott’s decision to step away from the airship squadron and Emma and her longing for her mother were both tearjerkers, adding depth to the supporting cast and telling the reality of the impending catastrophe.
Additionally, the opening chapter's map is sprawling and full of hidden routes, giving players plenty of fun secrets to uncover. If Chapter 1 is just a taste of what’s to come in terms of scope and quality, then FF Resonance is likely to be one of the most exciting games to watch.
With hours of content packed into the demo, fans will be glad to know that save data transfers right into the full game when it launches on October 22, 2026.
Final Fantasy Resonance Surprise Demo Drop During Sony’s September 2026 State of Play
During Sony's State of Play on September 3, 2026, Square Enix dropped a major new trailer for Final Fantasy Resonance, showcasing gameplay and revealing that legendary heroes like Sephiroth appear as unlockable Vision bosses. Alongside the trailer, the studio immediately released a free playable demo across platforms featuring the entirety of Chapter 1.
The upcoming HD-2D title is just one of the many games Square Enix has lined up, which includes heavy hitters such as Final Fantasy VII Revelation and Kingdom Hearts IV. However, Final Fantasy Resonance looks to carve out a name for itself, and after playing through such a compelling demo, its full release on October 22 couldn’t come any sooner.
Are u guys making a guide for it as well? I’m in love with this game