Final Fantasy XV fans are getting an unexpected reunion this October. Noctis Lucis Caelum is officially returning to the Final Fantasy universe, with the former prince of Lucis appearing in Final Fantasy Resonance when the game launches on October 22.
It has been nearly a decade since Final Fantasy XV first introduced players to Noctis, Ignis, Prompto, and Gladiolus. While the game itself remains one of the more divisive mainline Final Fantasy releases, its central group of characters managed to build a dedicated following.
Now, Square Enix is bringing Noctis back once again.
Noctis Returns in Final Fantasy Resonance
A recent Final Fantasy Resonance trailer has confirmed that Noctis will appear as one of the game’s summonable Visions.
His appearance isn’t being treated as a tiny cameo either.
The trailer revisits parts of Noctis’ journey, including his responsibility as the heir of Lucis and his eventual confrontation with the Starscourge. More importantly, players are given a glimpse of Noctis fighting with one of his most recognizable abilities.
His Armiger allows him to wield the Royal Weapons simultaneously, immediately bringing back memories of Final Fantasy XV’s combat.
Interestingly, the sequence also moves away from Final Fantasy Resonance’s usual HD-2D presentation. Noctis instead receives a full 3D cutscene, making his appearance stand out considerably from the regular gameplay.
Final Fantasy Resonance Is Preserving a Lost Game
Final Fantasy Resonance has another interesting purpose beyond bringing familiar characters together.
The game adapts the structure and story of the discontinued mobile title Final Fantasy Brave Exvius into a standalone single-player experience.
Mobile game shutdowns have become an increasingly frustrating part of the industry. Once servers disappear, entire games can effectively vanish with them.
Resonance takes a different approach by preserving that experience as something players can access independently.
A free demo is already available for players who want to see what the game offers before its October release.
Final Fantasy History Comes Together
Noctis won’t be the only familiar face.
Final Fantasy Resonance is building a roster around characters from throughout the franchise. Confirmed Visions include:
- Firion — Final Fantasy II
- Terra Branford — Final Fantasy VI
- Zidane Tribal — Final Fantasy IX
- Noctis Lucis Caelum — Final Fantasy XV
The developers intend to represent every mainline Final Fantasy game through summonable Visions.
That makes Resonance much more than a recreation of Brave Exvius. It is also shaping up to be a celebration of Final Fantasy’s long history.
For longtime fans, seeing characters separated by decades of game development appearing together could become one of the biggest attractions.
Final Fantasy XV Had a Complicated Journey
Noctis himself comes from one of the strangest development stories in Final Fantasy history.
The project that eventually became Final Fantasy XV originally started life as Final Fantasy Versus XIII. Development lasted roughly a decade and included major changes to the game’s direction, technology, hardware, and overall identity.
Final Fantasy XV eventually launched in 2016.
Reception was mixed, particularly around parts of its storytelling and structure. However, the relationship between Noctis and his companions became one of the game’s strongest elements.
Ignis, Prompto, Gladiolus, and Noctis weren’t simply party members thrown together for combat. Their road trip across Eos became the emotional center of the experience.
Additional DLC later expanded the stories of individual characters, although some planned content never made it to release.
That complicated history hasn’t stopped Noctis from remaining one of Final Fantasy’s most recognizable modern protagonists.
Noctis Never Completely Disappeared
Noctis has continued appearing outside Final Fantasy XV over the years.
He has shown up across Final Fantasy spin-offs such as Dissidia and World of Final Fantasy Maxima. His popularity also resulted in some unusual crossover appearances.
Perhaps the most famous was Tekken 7, where Noctis became a fully playable guest fighter.
The character has even crossed into games including Minecraft and The Sims 4 through collaborative content.
Still, seeing Noctis return directly within another Final Fantasy project feels different.
October 22 Brings the Prince Back
Final Fantasy XV may remain divisive, but Noctis and his companions clearly left their mark on the franchise.
Final Fantasy Resonance now gives Square Enix another opportunity to revisit that legacy while simultaneously celebrating characters from across Final Fantasy history.
And when Noctis activates Armiger and sends the Royal Weapons flying once again, there will probably be plenty of Final Fantasy XV players feeling surprisingly nostalgic.
The prince is coming back on October 22.
