Key information
Final Fantasy Resonance, developed by Square Enix and Lancarse Ltd., launched on 22nd October for PC, PS5, Switch 2, and Xbox Series X/S. The title represents an ambitious attempt to adapt mechanics from the mobile game Final Fantasy Brave Exvius into a standalone RPG experience.
The game features a sophisticated battle system blending stamina-based mechanics with turn-based strategy. Players manage HP and stamina bars to trigger staggers and bonus phases, while utilizing a 'vision' system to summon historical series characters. Reviewer Eurogamer praises these mechanics as 'compelling' and 'hard to put down,' noting that the combat depth, inspired by Final Fantasy 5 and 6, remains the game's strongest asset.
However, the narrative receives significant criticism. Eurogamer describes the plot as a 'grab-bag of nonsense' featuring shallow characters and poor chemistry. The reviewer highlights that the story, inherited from its mobile origins, suffers from pacing issues and a lack of world-building impact, ultimately feeling 'over-written' and 'forgettable' despite improvements in the final third.
Ultimately, Eurogamer concludes that while Resonance succeeds as a technical experiment with excellent HD-2D visuals and engaging combat puzzles, it falls short of greatness. The publication suggests that players seeking emotive storytelling may be disappointed, whereas those prioritizing tactical RPG gameplay will find the experience highly rewarding.
