# Final Fantasy Resonance Review: A Triumphant Return to Turn-Based Roots > In Anime News Network's Final Fantasy Resonance review, the HD-2D remake delivers a deep turn-based combat system and nostalgic charm for PC and consoles. - Canonical URL: https://coreiten.com/en/article/final-fantasy-resonance-review-a-classic-turn-based-rpg - Language: en - Section: Best Games - Author: Sami - Published: 2026-10-21T04:01:49+03:00 - Modified: 2026-10-21T04:01:49+03:00 - Publisher: CoreITen (https://coreiten.com) - Keywords: Final Fantasy Resonance, Square Enix, Lancarse, Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, HD-2D, PC ## Summary Anime News Network's review highlights how Final Fantasy Resonance successfully returns the franchise to traditional turn-based combat with stunning HD-2D visuals. - Developed jointly by Square Enix and Lancarse, the game remakes the first story arc of the discontinued mobile game Final Fantasy Brave Exvius for consoles and PC. - The narrative centers on knights Rain and Lasswell alongside Fina as they protect remaining crystals from Veritas of the Dark and the Sworn Six. - Players utilize a Vision system to equip legendary warriors like Cloud from Final Fantasy VII, unlocking permanent stat improvements and abilities as bonds grow. - Anime News Network testing on PC showed flawless performance with a locked 114 frames per second at native 4K on highest settings without bugs or crashes. - Depleting an enemy's yellow stagger gauge to trigger a Sweeping Stagger allows the party to unleash powerful Resonance attacks mapped to the controller's D-pad. **Why it matters:** This review demonstrates how Square Enix successfully revitalizes discontinued mobile content into a critically praised traditional console and PC experience. --- According to a recent *Final Fantasy Resonance* review by Anime News Network, the game successfully brings the franchise back to its traditional turn-based roots alongside a gorgeous pixel art style. Developed by Square Enix and Lancarse, the title is a fully-fledged console and PC remake of the first story arc from the discontinued mobile game *Final Fantasy Brave Exvius*. ### A New Take on Grandshelt's Story The narrative follows Rain and his adopted brother Lasswell, who both serve as knights of the Kingdom of Grandshelt. After a mysterious armored man named Veritas of the Dark and a group known as the Sworn Six shatter the Earth Crystal and devastate the kingdom, the brothers narrowly survive. Joined by Fina, a mysterious young woman who lost her memories during the attack, the trio sets out on a journey to protect the world's remaining crystals from the Sworn Six. ### The Vision System and Party Progression To fight these threats, the party uses Visions, a mechanic that connects them with the memories of legendary warriors from other worlds. Players can equip characters like Cloud from *Final Fantasy VII* or the original Warrior of Light to gain additional abilities based on roles such as warrior, brawler, or mage. As a character bonds with a Vision, they unlock permanent stat improvements and abilities using AP, which remain available even after switching to a different Vision. The progression system encourages experimentation, allowing players to build versatile party members without sacrificing earlier benefits. Once unlocked, the Moogle of Light can further enhance these Visions using Magicite. Each Vision starts at zero stars and can be upgraded through three additional star levels to unlock more powerful abilities. ### Turn-Based Combat and Sweeping Staggers The turn-based combat features a clearly displayed turn order and standard commands like basic attacks, skills, defending, items, and fleeing, with Vision abilities organized in a dedicated submenu. Enemies have a yellow stagger gauge beneath their red health bar that depletes when players attack and exploit elemental weaknesses. Staggering every enemy on the battlefield triggers a Sweeping Stagger, granting the party an extra attack phase. At the end of a Sweeping Stagger phase, players can unleash a powerful Resonance attack tied to an equipped Vision, which is mapped to the four directions on the controller's D-pad. Regular party members also have their own Limit Break abilities that charge during combat, and players have the option to increase the overall speed of encounters. ### HD-2D Visuals and PC Performance The reviewer praises the HD-2D presentation for bringing the world to life, though noting the environments do not push the art style to new heights compared to other Square Enix titles. On PC, Anime News Network's testing showed flawless performance, maintaining a locked 114 frames per second at native 4K on the highest graphical settings without a single bug or crash. The audio combines classical franchise music with new compositions to create an unmistakable atmosphere. While the voice acting - particularly for Gilgamesh - is highly praised for adding personality, the reviewer expressed frustration that a considerable amount of the game's dialogue remains unvoiced. ### An Adventure for the Ages In their final verdict, the reviewer notes that the progression system and combat offer tremendous freedom without becoming overly complicated. The game manages to evoke genuine nostalgia even for players who did not grow up with the franchise's earlier turn-based entries. > I enjoyed every second of my time with it, and for me, Final Fantasy Resonance really is an adventure for the ages. > > Anime News Network ## Sources - [animenewsnetwork.com](https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/game/nintendo-switch-nintendo-switch-2-playstation-5-windows-and-xbox-series-x/s/final-fantasy-resonance/.242843) ## Related topics - [Square Enix](https://coreiten.com/en/topic/square-enix)