Final Fantasy Resonance hands-on: Better than the trailers

During a hands-on preview at Gamescom 2026, the game demonstrated a combat system that is both challenging and rewarding. Unlike many modern Final Fantasy titles, Final Fantasy Resonance relies on a strict turn-based structure without an Active Time Battle (ATB) gauge. The core mechanic centers on a "stagger" bar; every move inflicts both damage and stagger. Players must deplete this bar to stun enemies, disrupt their attacks, and open up their defenses. This system requires a strategic understanding of elements, buffs, and debuffs, as brute force alone is insufficient for victory.

The game introduces "Visions," which are the ghosts of iconic characters from the Final Fantasy series. These Visions can be equipped to grant additional abilities to the player's party. In the preview build, the Warrior of Light from Final Fantasy I, Cloud from Final Fantasy VII, and two original Visions were available. Exploring the dungeon also revealed hidden Visions, such as Noctis, which provided significant advantages in boss encounters. The demo featured a single dungeon culminating in a difficult boss fight against a Wind dragoon. The most effective strategy involved shattering the boss's stamina with ice-based moves, exploiting its weakness, before unleashing powerful "Resonance" moves. These ultimate abilities deal substantial damage and apply various buffs, such as healing, attack boosts, or defense enhancements.

Final Fantasy Resonance is not merely a port of the mobile game Final Fantasy Brave Exvius. While it retains the first story arc, known as "Lapis," and the concept of summoning Visions, the graphics, battle system, and much of the music are entirely new. This makes it the first proper HD-2D Final Fantasy game. The story follows Rain, along with companions Lasswell and Fina, as they protect the crystals left in the world after the Veritas of the Dark destroys one. The narrative echoes the themes of the early mainline Final Fantasy titles, offering a traditional RPG experience that contrasts with the series' shift away from pixel graphics and turn-based combat in 1997.

The game is developed by Square Enix (Team Asano, Creative Studio 5) and Lancarse Ltd., and published by Square Enix. It will be available on PC (Steam), PS5, Switch 2, and Xbox Series X/S. The preview highlighted the game's lush production values, gorgeous visuals, and a battle system that encourages experimentation and strategic depth. The combination of familiar Final Fantasy elements with a fresh, challenging combat system positions Final Fantasy Resonance as a significant entry in the franchise, appealing to fans of traditional RPG mechanics and HD-2D aesthetics.