Final Fantasy Resonance offers the exact old-school vibes I wanted to see
from the first HD-2D game in my favorite RPG series

Date:
Thu, 03 Sep 2026 14:15:00 +0000

Description:
Final Fantasy Resonance is the first HD-2D title in the iconic RPG series,
and after an hour with the game, it has all the makings of an exciting new direction for the fans of the golden age of the franchise.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter The spirit forms of The Warrior of Light, Terra, Zidane, and Cloud bob up and down behind each character in
my party as I get into battle in an early dungeon in Final Fantasy Resonance
.

When the trio of monsters is briefly staggered in front of me, Im given a choice of which iconic characters power to unleash to end the battle, and I promptly pick the spiky-haired and Buster Sword-wielding hero of Final
Fantasy 7 . My reward is a flashy CG cutscene of Cloud obliterating
everything on screen in a visual display that seems strangely at odds with
the rest of the game's HD-2D style.

But this clash is perhaps to be expected when you learn that Final Fantasy Resonance adapts parts of an old 2015 mobile game, Final Fantasy Brave Exvius , to create a brand-new entry in the traditional turn-based style of Final Fantasys NES/SNES golden era. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here: (Image credit: Square Enix) For players like me whose formative gaming years were spent playing those classics and who long for more old-school turn-based RPGs, its the kind of pairing that should shoot Resonance right to the top of the must-play list. And even in just the brief hour I spent with the game, I could feel myself getting sucked into its combat and presentation style almost immediately. I cant speak much on the story that frames this fan-service-heavy premise, given I got to experience so little of it, but it feels very much in the vein of a Final Fantasy of old. There are warring factions, a party of adventurers, and crystals to protect in temples dotted around the world. You may like Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy's preview has Uncharted vibes and I love it Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave preview: so far,
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However, it didnt matter that I had very little exposition to set up my time with Resonance , given that I immediately saw so much to dig into with the characters and combat. (Image credit: Square Enix) Alongside the four that were already assigned to my party, there are signs that many more familiar faces from across the full history of the series will make an appearance as Visions that you can equip to your characters. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

These provide a vast number of active and passive abilities that can be brought together to create particular builds or strengths that you want characters to focus on.

For example, The Warrior of Light has several physical attacks and defensive magic that work together to make the equipped character a strong frontline warrior or damage-mitigating tank. You can further build upon that with abilities learned and masteries gained from other Visions to perhaps buff
your health or offer other worthwhile passives. (Image credit: Square Enix) I enjoyed tinkering with the makeup of my party to create the classic areas of expertise across all four members the tank, the physical damage dealer, the mage, and the healer and Im sure youll be able to create more interesting hybrids as more Visions and their classes become available. What to read next Beast of Reincarnation review: an emotional, action-packed experience Im playing Divinity: Original Sin 2 at last I cant get enough of its terrain-based tactical battles Control Resonant's gameplay designer has me convinced it'll be a big hit

And like the best turn-based RPGs, it was even more fulfilling to see those builds succeed in combat. It led to a satisfying rhythm where you exploit the elemental or physical weaknesses of an enemy to stagger them, earn bonus
turns for your characters to create an even bigger advantage in battle, and then unleash a Visions special attack once all opponents are in a staggered state. (Image credit: Square Enix) Its nothing hugely revolutionary in the world of turn-based combat, but it does add some flair to a familiar formula.

Throw in summons, limit breaks, and more abilities that are exclusive to each Vision, and you have the makings of an exciting and dynamic battle system
that still retains some old-school charm.

And that sums up how it felt to play Resonance . Anyone with a hankering for some classic Final Fantasy will find a lot to love here even beyond the fan service with its large cast of well-known characters from across the series. If that sounds like you, a demo is available to try right now.

Final Fantasy Resonance launches on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and PC on October 22. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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