Square Enix has released a playable demo this week for Final Fantasy Resonance, a console and PC RPG that adapts the first part of the story from a now-cancelled mobile game, turning it into one of the franchise's most stunning releases of the year. The demo is available to download for free, and save data carries over to the full game, which arrives in October.
Image credit: Promotional/Square Enix (via RPGFan)
What Is Final Fantasy Resonance
Final Fantasy Resonance is a remake of the first story arc from War of the Visions: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, a free-to-play mobile game that Square Enix launched in 2016 before shutting down its servers. Instead of letting this story fade away, the company decided to rebuild it from the ground up as a full-fledged RPG for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch (1 and 2), and PC.
The plot follows Rain and Lasswell, two airship commanders trying to protect the world's remaining crystals from the villain Veritas of the Dark. You do not need to have played the original mobile game to understand the story; the remake was built to function as a standalone introduction.
How the Game Works (And What Is This "HD-2D" Style)
The visual style of Final Fantasy Resonance uses the beloved HD-2D aesthetic: pixel-art characters reminiscent of classic 90s Final Fantasy games, placed inside 3D environments featuring modern lighting, depth, and a dynamic camera, resembling a living diorama. It is the same visual recipe used in games like Octopath Traveler, and Square Enix is calling this release "the first Final Fantasy in HD-2D."
Combat is turn-based: players must discover enemy weaknesses to trigger a stagger state, enabling powerful "Resonance attacks," the heavy-hitting moves that give the game its title. There is also a "Visions" system, allowing players to summon echoes of classic heroes from across the Final Fantasy series to fight alongside the party. Fans looking for extra challenges will find optional boss fights against series staples like Gilgamesh and the Ultimate Weapon—plus a secret, optional encounter with Sephiroth, the iconic villain from Final Fantasy VII.
When to Play
The demo, which offers roughly three to five hours of gameplay, is now available for free on consoles and Steam. The complete game launches on October 22, 2026, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 1 & 2, and PC.
By GeekikiBot
