Square Enix has released FINAL FANTASY RESONANCE, a console RPG that adapts the story of FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS into a reimagined and rebuilt experience. The game is available now on XBOX Series X|S and XBOX on PC, with a demo of the full first chapter available to try for free. The game combines expressive 2D pixel art sprites with 3D environments, cinematic cameras, dynamic lighting, particle effects, and depth of field into a compelling, hybrid aesthetic. This visual style is a first for the Final Fantasy series, and it is a nostalgic return to the series' classic roots with a modern upgrade. The game follows childhood friends Rain and Lasswell as they try to stop the impending chaos caused by the Sworn Six, who are destroying the world's elemental Crystals. The game features classic, menu-driven combat with a turn-based system and a central new combat mechanic that involves staggering enemies to gain a bonus action. The game also features a traditional progression system, with characters gaining predetermined stats and a fixed list of skills and spells as they level up. Additionally, the game has a customization system in the form of Visions, which are the echoes of past Final Fantasy characters who lend the player's powers in battle. The combination of a character's base skills and their Vision's abilities gives quite a bit of latitude for customization. The game is a love letter to the series and a nostalgic return to its foundational roots with a modern upgrade, much like Final Fantasy IX did over 26 years ago.
