Key information
Square Enix has launched Final Fantasy Resonance, a new title utilizing the company's signature HD-2D art style. Drawing inspiration from the mobile game Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, which operated from 2015 to 2025, this release removes all microtransactions and gacha mechanics. It introduces a 16-bit-inspired overworld map alongside turn-based combat reminiscent of early series entries.
The game is currently outperforming Square Enix's previous retro-style release, The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, which holds a 78 on Metacritic. Final Fantasy Resonance holds an 85 on PlayStation 5 across 30 reviews, while the Nintendo Switch 2 version maintains an 82 average from 24 reviews.
Critics largely praised the visual presentation. Nadia Oxford of Game Informer noted the detailed sprites and cinematic scenes distinguish it from previous HD-2D titles. IGN's Michael Higham lauded the effective use of camera movement and fluid animation, suggesting the art style elevates the storytelling beyond mere nostalgia.
However, reviewers identified significant flaws. Ozzie Mejia of Shacknews criticized the fixed camera for hindering exploration in towns. Furthermore, Dom Peppiatt of Eurogamer described the narrative as a collection of tropes, while Dave Aubrey of VGC noted that new characters are often sidelined. Polygon's Willa Rowe added that frequent comparisons to other franchise entries often disadvantage the game's own story.
