Image via Square Enix
Final Fantasy fans were treated to a brand-new game announcement during the summer Nintendo Direct. During the June showcase, Square Enix unveiled its first HD-2D game in the Final Fantasy series, Final Fantasy Resonance. With so much focus on the Final Fantasy VII remake trilogy and the franchise’s ongoing MMO lately, it was exciting to see a brand-new entry in the series. Even better, the game is releasing on October 22nd of this year. It even has an extended free demo that lets players check out the game’s entire first chapter ahead of launch. I’ll admit, I didn’t think that I could be any more excited about this game than I already was. Then, Square Enix dropped a new, nearly 4-minute-long trailer for Tokyo Game Show.
This year’s Tokyo Game Show takes place from September 17th to the 21st. And it’s already off to a strong start, with new trailers for a variety of highly anticipated games. That includes the brand-new extended trailer for Final Fantasy Resonance. It gives us an even more in-depth look at the game’s unique HD-2D art style, as well as a more fleshed-out preview of the story. As someone who already played the full demo, I’m eager for any scraps about this game I can cling to until it comes out next month. And I was not disappointed.
Final Fantasy Resonance Tokyo Game Show Trailer Teases an Emotional Journey Steeped in Nostalgia
Cards on the table, I sank nearly 5 hours into the Final Fantasy Resonance demo. You can play through the entire first chapter, including the side quests and exploration that entails. So I took my time with it, not wanting the experience to end. But of course, eventually I completed the content available in the demo, and I’m left eagerly looking forward to the game’s full release. Yet even after spending a good bit of time with Rain and his companions, the trailer still managed to up my hype level for Resonance. It hints at more of the game’s overarching story, while also showcasing its gorgeous art style. There’s also plenty of chocobo cuteness, which in my opinion is a Final Fantasy essential.
The trailer sets up more of the game’s story, which centers on a centuries-long war that sparks anew. Rain and his companions must seek to uncover the vengeance-fueled quest to destroy the crystals, naturally encountering a few secrets along the way. It’s just enough of a teaser to make you want to learn more, which is exactly how a good trailer should operate. You can check it out for yourself below:
Though I recognized quite a few scenes from the demo, there are plenty of characters, locations, and mechanics I’m eager to see in the full release. The game also teases one of the core mechanics that lets Final Fantasy Resonance lean into nostalgia: Visions. The crystals that Rain encounters throughout his journey link him to heroes of the past. In other words, characters from prior Final Fantasy games, who lend their skills in battle. This mechanic may be a bit of nostalgia bait, but it also allows for a lot of strategic flexibility as you build your team for battle. I really enjoyed playing around with the possible combinations during the demo and look forward to seeing what else is to come when the full game arrives.
Final Fantasy Resonance releases on October 22nd for PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and Xbox Series X|S. The aforementioned free demo is available now on all platforms, and yes, your progress does carry over to the full game. The base game costs $49.99 USD, with a Digital Deluxe Edition available for $59.99.
Looking for more Final Fantasy goodness? Check out our preview of Final Fantasy VII: Revelation.
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