FINAL FANTASY RESONANCE is now available for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC. Xbox Play Anywhere lets you play across console and PC without an additional charge. A free demo covers the entire opening chapter, with progress transferring when you buy the game.
The release adapts FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS, previously a mobile exclusive, into a single-player RPG bought with one purchase. Square Enix and LANCARSE rebuilt its world, combat and progression around the existing story, according to Xbox Wire.
Pixel art meets rebuilt environments
RESONANCE marks the FINAL FANTASY series' first use of Square Enix's HD-2D style. Its presentation places pixel-art characters in 3D environments, adding cinematic camera work, lighting effects and depth of field.
The story follows Rain and Lasswell, childhood friends serving as knights in Grandshelt. Their journey pits them against the Sworn Six, who threaten the world's remaining elemental Crystals.
Turn-based combat adds stagger rewards
Battles use menus and turns, with a visible timeline indicating when allies and enemies will act. Each enemy has a stagger meter. Emptying it makes that opponent lose its action for the round and suffer increased damage, while the character responsible earns an extra action when the round ends.
Staggering every enemy still standing grants the entire party an additional action at the round's end. Characters can also equip one Vision apiece, borrowing abilities from earlier FINAL FANTASY characters. Fighting with a Vision builds mastery and unlocks further abilities.
For repeat encounters, discovered enemy weaknesses and resistances remain visible. Battle speed can be adjusted, and summon cutscenes can be skipped. Outside dungeons, fast travel lets you return to locations you have already visited.
