Final Fantasy Resonance: Is the New HD-2D RPG Just a Brave Exvius Remake?
Square Enix’s internal Team Asano has built a reputation for breathing new life into the retro RPG aesthetic. From Octopath Traveler to Dragon Quest, they have mastered the art of modernizing classic looks. However, the publisher's flagship series, Final Fantasy, has remained largely untouched by this treatment—until now. Final Fantasy Resonance was unveiled at the recent Nintendo Direct, and it immediately carries the weight of being the first true HD-2D entry in the franchise.
For fans of the classic Final Fantasy titles, the aesthetic reveal was electric. That excitement, however, hit a speed bump when the trailer confirmed the game's source material: the first story arc of the mobile game Final Fantasy Brave Exvius. For many, this brings up immediate concerns regarding the grind-heavy, gacha-fueled history of that title.
Refining the Mobile Experience
It is no secret that Brave Exvius, alongside other mobile entries like Final Fantasy 7 Ever Crisis and the now-defunct Mobius Final Fantasy, are often defined by their live-service trappings. These games typically rely on power scaling, lootbox-esque gacha mechanics, and staccato, weightless combat. The prospect of seeing a beloved series lean into that legacy is, to put it mildly, deflating.
Square Enix is clearly aware of these perceptions. The studio has stated that Final Fantasy Resonance is “far from just a direct port” and has been “refined and extensively rebuilt as a full-fledged console-quality RPG experience.” For those who enjoyed the narrative of Brave Exvius but were turned off by its mobile-first design, this sounds like the ideal solution: a chance to experience the story without the constant demand for gacha spins.
The Octopath Traveler Precedent
If there is a reason for cautious optimism, it is the track record of Team Asano. Just last year, they released Octopath Traveler 0, which serves as a compelling example of how a mobile title can be transformed. Based on the mobile game Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent, Octopath Traveler 0 received significant acclaim, with some critics calling it the strongest entry in the series to date. If Team Asano can apply that same level of care to Final Fantasy Resonance, the shift away from mobile-first design could be more than just a marketing promise.
Despite this, the sting of previous mobile experiences remains. Having put significant time into the franchise's mobile history, there is a lingering fear that the game will still feel bogged down by its origins. While the prospect of a retro-styled Final Fantasy is naturally tantalizing, whether Resonance can truly stand alongside the first six games of the series—or if it will feel like a relic of its mobile past—is something that will only be clear once we see more of the title in action.
Final Fantasy Resonance is coming to PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X, and Nintendo Switch on October 22, 2026.