A new trailer for Final Fantasy Resonance premiered at this year’s Tokyo Game Show, and it’s one of the most significant sneak peeks that Square Enix has showed off yet. With the game’s launch slated for next month, a deeper look into Final Fantasy Resonance and its retro-leaning gameplay and presentation has hopefully ignited even more hype for the game. For many younger Final Fantasy fans who are more familiar with entries like the Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy and Final Fantasy 15, Resonance might look like it comes from a completely different world. That’s ultimately what works in the game’s favor, though.
Final Fantasy Resonance is a reworked version of the mobile spin-off Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, but without the live-service elements. However, instead of Brave Exvius‘ 2D sprites and more mobile-friendly combat, Resonance adds extra flare with HD-2D visuals and traditional turn-based combat that harkens back to the early days of the Final Fantasy franchise. Based on what was showcased at Tokyo Game Show, Final Fantasy Resonance feels like old-school Final Fantasy, at least in certain respects. Its visuals and gameplay might look like a step back at first, but it could be the key to the franchise’s future.
Final Fantasy Resonance Demonstrates That Innovation Can Be Found in Embracing Classic RPG Formulas
Turn-based combat is seen by many as an outdated formula, but games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 have reminded gamers and the industry that this isn’t really the case at all. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 might not use a traditional turn-based system, but it’s one of the most successful examples in recent memory that there is still room for this kind of combat. My point isn’t fully pointed at turn-based gameplay, though. Final Fantasy Resonance‘s return to traditional turn-based combat is simply the starting point.
Between the HD-2D graphics and approach to combat, Final Fantasy Resonance is turning out to be a compelling demonstration of how some of the most innovative moves in this current gaming era are made by looking to the past for inspiration. The Final Fantasy remake trilogy has been in the spotlight for six years now. Once the Final Fantasy 7 Revelation release date gets here, fans who have been following this era will know what to expect, at least for the most part. Granted, there are bound to be surprises throughout Revelation‘s journey, but Resonance is presenting the biggest franchise shake-up between the two.
The Final Fantasy Franchise Can Still Feel Fresh While Using Older Gameplay Tricks for Inspiration
The fact that Final Fantasy Resonance is using HD-2D graphics really does a lot of the heavy lifting to help make it feel modern. Brave Exvius looked more retro with its purely 2D design, but Resonance switching things up by utilizing HD-2D is the right call. There have been several great games with HD-2D graphics in recent years, and this visual trend presents the perfect foundation for a new Final Fantasy game to feel classic while also taking its presentation into the future. A few of the games that have showcased HD-2D the best include:
- Octopath Traveler
- Star Ocean: The Second Story R
- Dragon Quest 2 HD-2D Remake
- Live A Live
- Triangle Strategy
That definitely isn’t bad company to be in, and it’s further proof that HD-2D graphics might be an RPG trend worth immersing Final Fantasy in even more after Resonance. The 2D sprites feel like the classic days of 90s JRPG games, but the rendered, detailed 3D backgrounds add that needed modern edge that make the environments more lively and help characters truly pop.
Final Fantasy Resonance Needs to Be More Than a One-Off Moment for the Franchise
The Final Fantasy games have been defined by 3D art style and popular modern combat systems for quite a long time now, and Final Fantasy Resonance raises a compelling argument for changing that. Of course, there can still be 3D Final Fantasy games, but making HD-2D visuals a new staple when it comes to crafting certain future entries could be a great return to form.
Final Fantasy Resonance is turning out to be a compelling demonstration of how some of the most innovative moves in this current gaming era are made by looking to the past for inspiration.
The transition to 3D is one of the many reasons why a lot of fans consider Final Fantasy 7 one of the best Final Fantasy games in the series, and the legacy of that entry definitely can’t be overlooked. It was a huge turning point for the franchise, but that doesn’t mean that 3D graphics have to remain the standard from there on out.
There have been several 2D Final Fantasy spin-offs since the franchise transitioned to 3D for mainline entries, but Final Fantasy Resonance is the first HD-2D chapter.
Final Fantasy’s Charm Comes From Its Core Features and Themes, Not Modern Gameplay Expectations
When it comes to the overall franchise, further gameplay details like party customization and exploring towns and dungeons are the additional pieces that make up the majority of Final Fantasy games. Overarching themes bring similar stories to fans, but each entry remixes these staple features in order to remain unique. So, the true Final Fantasy magic is ultimately in the storytelling and gameplay, regardless of visual presentation and combat system. Final Fantasy has continued to innovate upon its own concepts, and Resonance is a great example of how stepping away from expected modern features like 3D visuals and real-time action is one of the best ways to subvert the ongoing formula in order to push things forward once more.
Final Fantasy isn’t the only franchise that has been demonstrating this, either. The recent Metroid Ravenous announcement is bringing another 2D Metroid game into the spotlight. Of course, Metroid has embraced 2D art style and graphics more consistently than Final Fantasy has in recent years, but it’s another piece of evidence that shows how a retro-inspired formula does not have to feel outdated. Only time will tell if Final Fantasy Resonance attracts the broader fan base or resonates more with hardcore fans of the 2D era. Either way, the wait is almost over, and I’m eager to see how Square Enix has pulled off crafting an HD-2D Final Fantasy game that hopefully feels just as classic as it does modern.
- Released
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October 22, 2026
- ESRB
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Everyone 10+ / Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, Language, Suggestive Themes
