gamehuntersupdatetipsandtricshub: Final Fantasy Resonance Review

Evolved from its classic roots, Square Enix and LANCARSE’s Final Fantasy Resonance features a new journey this busy October.

See whether this old-school Final Fantasy game and its world is worth adventuring in with our review…

Final Fantasy Resonance Review

Final Fantasy Resonance tells the story of Rain, an Airship commander for the Grandsehlt Kingdom.

After one of the shrines near the kingdom faces some issues, players are sent to check it out alongside one’s second-in-command Lasswell.

Arriving there and clearing it of enemies, one is quickly beaten down. Barely making it out alive, they try to get back to the castle, but both their crew and airship get taken out.

Thankfully, there was a contingency in case something went wrong…

The world of Final Fantasy Resonance is filled with Visions. Said Visions allow one to power up, all while providing new skills to fight with.

For instance, Final Fantasy Resonance provides a White and Black Mage Vision early, allowing for both healing and damage magic.

Once these Visions are acquired, the group heads home to help the king. While players try to do what they can, it’s clear more power will be needed to stop this enemy.

Making a retreat, players set out to form a new plan and to find more Visions.

For those that missed old-school turn-based combat in Final Fantasy (like us!), Final Fantasy Resonance is a return to form.

A turn order is in place that players follow until buffs and debuffs come into play. Basic attacks and magic make an appearance, along with the aforementioned Visions.

Equipped Visions comes with their own skills, which can then be tapped into and used in combat. For instance, Cloud gets a Lightning and Water attack. Putting Cloud on the guy that does a Blizzard attack, he now has access to all three.

Stat buffs and passive skills are also available at the Visions level, encouraging players to occasionally swap them in.

Those that find the right weakness and break the enemy meter will also get themselves a Free Turn for everyone in one’s party. After that round is finished, a Vision and its ability can be chosen to deal huge damage or heal the whole party. Combo in the Espers (or Summons), players can then chain crazy combos together and destroy enemies.

Final Fantasy Resonance features a modern version of the turn-based combat system – and it works great.

In order to find Espers and Visions, players will need to explore the world, complete with an old-school Final Fantasy overworld map that lets you load into towns, caves, and other zones.

Towns in Final Fantasy Resonance also have quests, shops, inns, and NPCs to chat with. All are well done, and players get a Chocobo early on once you start exploring.

Also like old-school Final Fantasy releases, players can enter the wrong spot and get wrecked by a boss before you even know what is going on.

Thankfully, Final Fantasy Resonance’s auto-save system is generous, never accounting for too much lost time.

The dungeons in Final Fantasy Resonance are fairly balanced, never overstaying their welcome. The encounter rate is just right, and there are optional paths with good loot and occasionally other side quests.

Do note that Final Fantasy Resonance does not feature an auto-battle system. Based on a mobile release, those for the platform typically have auto-battle – and would be a good fit here.

Maybe I’ve been spoiled by the classic Final Fantasy remasters, but I craved one when I was grinding.

When players get a Vision in Final Fantasy Resonance, they get these choices that seem to not grant the Vision if done incorrectly.

I don’t know if I got lucky or there’s no fail state, but I never got one wrong. I’m not sure of the circumstances, but these choices seemed pretty pointless.

Featuring turn-based combat, HD-2D visuals, and plenty of returning characters, Final Fantasy Resonance is a nostalgic treat perfect for old-school Final Fantasy fans.