Final Fantasy Resonance is here, the first major Final Fantasy release since Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the second game in the Final Fantasy 7 Remake Trilogy, in 2024, and it seems Square Enix has another winner on its hands. Resonance is also the first HD-2D Final Fantasy game, with Square Enix having experimented with the style previously with the Octopath Traveler series and even earlier this year with The Adventures of Elliot.
According to Metacritic, Final Fantasy Resonance is sitting at an 86 metascore (at the time of writing). Critics praised the game’s story, characters, combat system, customization, and visuals. Some reviewers took issue with the game’s dialogue and use of random encounters.
In Men’s Journal‘s review of the game, I called Final Fantasy Resonance the best video game of 2026 and gave it the first and only 10/10 score of 2026. I praised the game’s deep combat customization, characters, pacing, and side content.
Earlier today, for the launch of the game, producer Keisuke Nakashima released a short video message thanking fans for their support and stating that Final Fantasy Resonance would be a game for Final Fantasy veterans and newcomers alike.
Final Fantasy Resonance follows the story of Rain and Lasswell, knights of Granshelt, and their eventual allies to protect the world’s eight crystals from being destroyed by a group known as the Sworn Six.
Resonance is also the first Final Fantasy game to use traditional turn-based combat since Final Fantasy 10 in 2001. The series began to pivot away from that classic style with Final Fantasy 12 onward.
With modern turn-based successes like Persona 5, Clair Obscur Expedition 33, and Baldur’s Gate 3, it seems turn-based gameplay is in a renaissance era.
Final Fantasy Resonance is available now for PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X/S.
