Entertainment · Gaming · 1 hr ago
Final Fantasy Resonance earns strong review scores, with critics split on its story
Square Enix’s Final Fantasy Resonance is a new turn-based role-playing game built from the story of its former mobile game, Brave Exvius.
It is due out on October 22 for Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and PC.
The game brings back classic turn-based battles and uses HD-2D graphics that combine detailed pixel art with three-dimensional effects.
It removes the free-to-play game’s gacha mechanics and microtransactions.
Review scores are 85 on PlayStation 5 and 82 on Nintendo Switch 2, based on reviews available before launch.
Critics widely praised the visuals, while opinions on the story ranged from positive to sharply critical.
The game’s reception matters to fans seeking a classic-style Final Fantasy, though some reviewers say it may rely too heavily on nostalgia.
Players can judge the full game after its October 22 release across several consoles and PC.
Final Fantasy Resonance is a new HD-2D reimagining of the discontinued mobile game Final Fantasy Brave Exvius.
Reviews describe it as heavily reliant on nostalgia and familiar elements from earlier Final Fantasy games.
Polygon says the game’s nostalgia and references do not make up for its flaws.
Kotaku calls it nostalgic comfort food for fans of older Final Fantasy games, while criticizing its story and characters.
The game removes Brave Exvius’s gacha mechanics and adds updated HD-2D visuals.
- Who
- Square Enix and Lancarse co-developed the game.
- What
- Final Fantasy Resonance reimagines the mobile game Final Fantasy Brave Exvius as an HD-2D RPG without its gacha mechanics.
- When
- The reviews were published on October 20, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Square Enix says it wants the game to be a potential entry point to the Final Fantasy franchise.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Developer
- Square Enix and Lancarse
- Source game
- Final Fantasy Brave Exvius
- Visual style
- HD-2D
- Polygon review date
- October 20, 2026
- Kotaku playtime
- About a dozen hours
6 sources
Round Up: The Reviews Are In For Final Fantasy Resonance
Final Fantasy Resonance Reviews Beat Square Enix's Previous HD-2D RPG
Final Fantasy Resonance Review: A nostalgic JRPG limited by its mobile origins
Final Fantasy Resonance review: This return to turn-based combat was a joyous homecoming party
Final Fantasy Resonance Feels Like Comfort Food, But I Want Cuisine
What people are saying
Final Fantasy is Final Fantasy if it has a blue window with text in it.