Final Fantasy is once again bringing its different generations together. Final Fantasy Resonance will feature heroes from across the franchise, with Final Fantasy XIII protagonist Lightning now confirmed as part of its crossover roster.
Rather than serving as a traditional sequel to one specific Final Fantasy game, Resonance uses characters and ideas from across the series. That gives Square Enix an opportunity to put heroes from completely different eras into the same adventure.
Lightning will be joined by several familiar faces, including Cloud, Squall, Tidus, Terra, Zidane, Noctis and Final Fantasy XVI protagonist Clive.
Final Fantasy Resonance Returns to Grandshelt
Final Fantasy Resonance is an HD-2D turn-based RPG set in the Kingdom of Grandshelt.
The story follows Rain, Lasswell and Fina as they attempt to protect the kingdom’s remaining crystals. Standing against them is Veritas of the Dark, creating a new conflict while retaining several recognizable elements from Final Fantasy’s past.
However, Rain, Lasswell and Fina will not be fighting alone.
A major part of Resonance is its Vision system, which allows characters from other Final Fantasy games to join the adventure.
It effectively opens the door to decades of Final Fantasy history.
Lightning Joins the Fight
Lightning represents Final Fantasy XIII in the current Vision roster.
Her appearance isn’t limited to simply placing the character into the game’s HD-2D art style either. Lightning has also been shown fighting alongside Odin, her Eidolon from Final Fantasy XIII.
For longtime fans, it offers a very different presentation of the character compared with her original PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 appearances.
The HD-2D direction also helps Resonance give every returning character a more consistent visual identity, despite them originally coming from games released across very different generations.
Cloud, Squall, Tidus, Clive and More Are Coming
Lightning is only one part of a much larger crossover roster.
Confirmed Vision characters include:
- Cloud
- Tidus
- Squall
- Terra
- Zidane
- Noctis
- Clive
- Lightning
That lineup stretches across a huge portion of Final Fantasy history, from the classic 2D era to some of the franchise’s most recent releases.
Final Fantasy VII villain Sephiroth will also make an appearance through a special challenge.
It means Resonance isn’t simply borrowing a handful of recognizable characters. Instead, the Vision system appears to be one of the game’s central ways of celebrating the wider Final Fantasy franchise.
A Different Kind of Final Fantasy Crossover
Crossovers are nothing new for Final Fantasy.
The franchise has repeatedly found ways to revisit older protagonists without needing to create direct sequels to their original stories. Games built around crossover mechanics can place characters together who would otherwise never meet.
Resonance continues that idea while giving it an HD-2D presentation and a traditional turn-based combat system.
Seeing characters such as Lightning, Cloud and Clive together also highlights just how dramatically Final Fantasy has changed over the years.
Their original games have very different combat systems, visual styles and worlds. Resonance can bring those characters under one gameplay system without having to recreate their original titles.
Final Fantasy Resonance Launches October 22
Players won’t have to wait much longer.
Final Fantasy Resonance releases on October 22 for PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and Xbox Series X.
A free demo is already available and includes the opening chapter of the game. Players can expect roughly three to five hours of gameplay, depending on how they approach the opening section.
Progress made in the demo can also be carried over into the full game.
That gives players plenty of time to see whether Resonance’s combination of HD-2D visuals, turn-based combat and Final Fantasy crossover characters works for them before launch.
For fans who have ever wanted to see Lightning, Cloud, Tidus, Squall, Noctis and Clive sharing the same adventure, Final Fantasy Resonance is shaping up to be one of the franchise’s biggest cross-era reunions yet.
