Yes, it is worth trying, and the free demo is the safest way to do it. Hands-on writers at IGN, VGC and RPGFan describe a classic turn-based Final Fantasy RPG, and their impressions were positive. Their sessions were limited, however, so they do not establish full-game pacing, balance or a final verdict. This page is a preview roundup, not a scored review.
Why this is a preview roundup
Final Fantasy Resonance launches on October 22, 2026, and full-game reviews were not available when we checked. What exists so far are hands-on previews from limited press sessions. A preview can describe presentation and combat, but it cannot judge a whole campaign. We will not turn a preview into a scored review.
Metacritic showed “tbd” for both critic and user scores at the time of checking. Steam also listed no user reviews for the unreleased full game. That means there is no aggregate verdict yet. This page will be updated once published launch reviews appear.
IGN’s hands-on preview
IGN’s Michael Higham played an exclusive hands-on session with the game. Higham’s preview covered a limited press session that included a later dungeon. It stresses elemental coverage and the extra turns you earn by staggering enemies. It also introduces the story party of Rain, Lasswell, Fina and Lid.
IGN’s preview gives an estimated 30–40-hour story and 60–80 hours for completionists. The completionist figure has only that single source. Both are pre-release estimates rather than measured averages. Our length guide explains how to read them.
VGC’s hands-on preview
VGC’s Tom Regan played the preview session primarily on PS5 and also tried the dedicated Switch 2 version. Regan is pleased with the classic RPG approach. At the same time, Regan reserves judgment on the complete adventure. That caution is exactly why previews are not verdicts.
VGC separately describes a 30–40-hour adventure, matching IGN’s story estimate. Regan’s preview also identifies the same four-character party. It describes overworld travel and a visit to a shrine. Those details give a feel for the game’s structure without covering the whole story.
RPGFan’s hands-on preview
RPGFan’s Scott Clay reports positive impressions from a limited preview session. Clay’s written preview explains planning around the battle timeline and choosing complementary Vision roles. It describes an overworld, towns, dungeons and Sanctums. RPGFan also published a video version of the preview.
That video is titled “2D Turn-Based Final Fantasy Is Not Dead!” and runs 7:30. It is preview coverage linked to the written article. It is not a full-game review either. Treat it as one more attributed impression.
What previews agree on
All three previews describe a turn-based RPG in the classic Final Fantasy mould. Combat is built around weaknesses, stagger, extra turns and Resonance attacks. Visions let familiar heroes add skills to your party within a cost limit. The HD-2D presentation is central to every description.
The previews also agree on what they cannot say. None of them played the full game. Pacing over 30-plus hours, late-game balance and the ending are unknown. A fair verdict needs all three.
Switch 2 impressions
YouTube creator Marc The Geek published Switch 2 gameplay impressions on September 3, 2026. The video runs 20:15 and is based on the demo. It describes the creator’s impressions rather than a technical comparison. It is not a full-game review.
VGC also included Switch 2 impressions in its preview. Neither source gives measured resolution or frame-rate data. We therefore do not make performance claims about any platform. Our Switch 2 guide explains the edition choice instead.
Scores we did not accept
Search results showed conflicting snippets about a magazine review score. We could not verify the original review behind them. Those snippets were excluded rather than repeated. Publishing an unverified score would mislead readers.
A single magazine score is also not a Metascore. Metacritic’s aggregate only appears once enough critic reviews are published. Our Metacritic page tracks that status separately. We will add real scores with their sources after launch.
The best test: the free demo
The most defensible pre-release recommendation is to play the free demo yourself. It covers the opening of the story through the end of Chapter 1. Square Enix estimates about 3–5 hours for it. It is available on the announced console and PC platforms.
Your demo progress can carry into the full game. That means trying it costs nothing and saves time later. Steam notes that some level restrictions apply. Our demo guide explains the scope and platform links.
What the official material shows
Official descriptions set the game in a fantasy world of crystals, airships and espers. Visions bring familiar Final Fantasy heroes into your team-building choices. Square Enix names Cloud, Tidus and Warrior of Light among them. The PlayStation Blog’s demo announcement headline also revealed Sephiroth.
Beyond the main adventure, official copy lists optional challenges such as the Colosseum, the Chamber of Arms and Ultima Weapon. Steam credits Square Enix and LANCARSE Ltd. as developers. Official trailers promote the story and launch but do not substantiate a score. Reviews will need to judge how all of this holds together.
Who it is likely to suit
Based on the official descriptions, the game targets players who enjoy strategic turn-based battles. Reading the turn order and exploiting weaknesses are core skills. Party building through Visions adds a layer of customisation. Optional challenges such as the Colosseum and Ultima Weapon add post-story goals.
If you prefer action combat, the demo will show quickly whether this style fits. If you enjoyed classic Final Fantasy battles, previews suggest a familiar feel. Either way, a few hours in the demo will answer the question better than any preview. This is our editorial suggestion, not a verdict.
Price before you decide
The PlayStation US store lists the Standard Edition at US$49.99. The Digital Deluxe Edition costs US$59.99 there. Prices differ by region and store. Check your local store before buying.
Deluxe adds an item pack rather than extra story content. Hands-on previews say nothing that depends on owning it. Our Deluxe guide lists exactly what the pack contains. That helps you decide whether the extra cost is worth it to you.
When this page will change
This roundup was checked on October 19, 2026. Full reviews usually appear around a game’s launch. When they do, we will summarise them with attribution and links. We will also note the platform each review used.
If we publish our own review later, it will state the platform and build we tested. It will be based on a full playthrough rather than a preview session. Until then, this page stays a clearly labelled roundup. Send us a link if you spot a new review we should include.
Sources
- Metacritic game page
- Steam product page
- IGN — Michael Higham’s hands-on preview
- VGC — Tom Regan’s hands-on preview
- RPGFan — Scott Clay’s hands-on preview
- RPGFan — Hands-On Preview video (YouTube)
- PlayStation Blog — PS5 demo available today
- Marc The Geek — Switch 2 Gameplay Impressions (YouTube)
- Square Enix — Free Demo Now Available
- PlayStation Store (US)
- Nintendo Store (US) — Switch 2 edition
- FINAL FANTASY — Tokyo Game Show Trailer (YouTube)
- Xbox Store (US) — Digital Deluxe Edition