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Final Fantasy Resonance Reveals More Characters, Gameplay Details

by Alex Fuller · Published July 17, 2026 · Updated July 17, 2026

Square Enix has released new information and media for its upcoming HD-2D turn-based RPG Final Fantasy Resonance. A new trailer marking the start of pre-orders for the game across all platforms comes alongside new screenshots and details covering more characters and gameplay systems. The game launches for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2 on October 22, 2026.

Final Fantasy Resonance is based on the first story arc of mobile game Final Fantasy Brave Exvius. It follows Rain, commander of the airship squadron in Grandshelt, the Kingdom of Knights, which is blessed by the power of crystals. He receives a royal decree to investigate the waning barrier of the Earth Shrine, where he encounters a mysterious man who shatters the Earth Crystal. After returning to a Grandshelt under attack by the man and managing to rescue the king, he sets out on a journey to try and protect the remaining crystals.

One of the game’s major locations is Dilmagia, the Machinopolis. A city forged in steel, Dilmagia is the birthplace of airship technology and home to the first Cid who created it. The name of Cid is now used to refer to the finest engineer of each generation. Meanwhile, Olderion, the Aquapolis, is the capital of the Olderion Federation and blessed by crystalline waters. It is protected by a clan known as the Wardens of the Waters, the prayers of the Maiden of Water, and an esper known locally as the God of Water. Prior to the invention of airships, it was a naval hub and great shipbuilding power.

These cities are also home to major characters. Lid (voiced by Elsie Lovelock / Ayaka Ohashi) is an airship engineer from Dirnado along with her brother. She is in contention to become the next Cid, and fights alongside Mechabo, a mechanical chocobo that she built. Nichol (voiced by Khoi Dao / Tsubasa Yonaga) is a strategist in the Olderion Federation. He was brought up in a family from the Wardens of the Waters and is objective, but often gets roped into Rain and his allies’ adventures. Meanwhile, Veritas of the Heavens (voiced by Ricco Fajardo / Show Hayami) and Veritas of the Waters (voiced by Colleen Clinkenbeard / Kana Hanazawa) are members of the Sworn Six of Paladia seeking to destroy the crystals. Veritas of the Heavens uses his lance and wind-based powers, while Veritas of the Waters deals in powerful water magic.

The game features turn-based combat that uses a timeline system displaying the current turn order of both allies and enemies. Enemies have a stagger gauge; by depleting it, players can prevent them from acting on their turn and lower their defense. Hitting weaknesses will deplete the stagger gauge more quickly. If a character staggers an enemy, they are granted an extra action at the end of the turn, and if all enemies are staggered, then it triggers a sweeping stagger, which grants all party members an extra action.

Combat makes use of visions, which are crystallised essences of legendary heroes, including heroes from across the Final Fantasy series. By equipping a vision to a party member, that member can use the magic and abilities of the vision’s hero. New visions can be found by visiting crystal sanctums scattered across the world or by completing character events during the game. Triggering a sweeping stagger allows players to use a powerful technique called a Resonance, provided by their equipped visions.

One character who offers a vision to players is Aileen. She is a weaponsmith who is able to lower enemy defenses with her Pilebunker, and also creates powerful weapons for the party using Adamantite, which can be obtained in multiple ways across the world. Other known Final Fantasy visions include Cecil (Final Fantasy IV), Bartz (Final Fantasy V), Squall (Final Fantasy VIII), Zidane (Final Fantasy IX), and Tidus (Final Fantasy X). In addition, players can obtain summons called espers by completing certain side quests. Espers — including series mainstays Ifrit, Shiva, and Titan — require a large amount of MP to summon, but will fight alongside the party for three turns, unleashing a powerful finishing move when they disappear.

Finally, the game also includes various collectibles and challenges for completionists, including finding tablet shards that reward players with items and a host of mini-games. There is also a colosseum that provides its own set of rewards as players rise up through its leagues, eventually facing famed familiar foes and monsters. Finally, the twelve legendary arms can be found, but can only be wielded after players defeat the ruthless monsters held within them.