Turn-Based RPG Final Fantasy Resonance Is Not a Port or Remake of Shuttered Gacha Game

Square Enix announced Final Fantasy Resonance recently, the first turn-based RPG in the long-running franchise for years.

But the news may have come as a monkey’s paw moment for many of you: it’s based on the 2015 mobile game Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, which ceased service in 2025 after a ten year run in its native Japan.

Now a new exclusive IGN preview has shed light on the publisher’s approach here, confirming this is neither a remake nor a port of the gacha game; it’s a complete reimagining built on some of the original’s foundations.

There are no microtransactions or live service elements; this is a fully-fledged console game, made from the ground-up for PS5 using the firm’s HD-2D technology.

While I’ll let you read through the aforementioned preview for more on the plot setup, I did want to touch on the combat system, which allows you to summon famous Final Fantasy characters as Visions.

These don’t replace each party members’ movesets, but they do add depth to the combat system, which incorporates elemental aspects. Cloud from Final Fantasy 7, for example, has physical and thunder attacks which can be used to help stagger enemies. You’ll gain an extra turn if you successfully debilitate your foe.

IGN says that the game has a goofier, more vibrant flavour than other recent Final Fantasy games, more akin to Dragon Quest – although it wouldn’t be a surprise if it harbours a darker tone as you get deeper into the story.

I’m quite excited about this, my only concern is that it’s coming out on 22nd October, and there are just too many games releasing towards the tail end of this year.

I’m sure I’ll check it out once the calendar clears up, though – and it’s cool to see Final Fantasy finally adopt the HD-2D style, as it’s something I think we’ve all been asking for for quite some time.