Square Enix has decided to make a bold move with the announcement of
The idea behind this project is as simple as it is captivating: what would have happened if the series had never made the leap to three-dimensional polygons? To answer this, Team Asano , responsible for gems like Octopath Traveler and Bravely Default, have taken the reins to reimagine the story of Final Fantasy Brave Exvius. Forget microtransactions and the randomness of mobile devices; here we have a traditional RPG with a complete single-player experience, rebuilt from the ground up to shine on home consoles.
A journey through the world of Lapis and her crystals
The narrative puts us in the shoes of Rain and Lasswell , two knights of the Kingdom of Grandshelt who watch their world crumble after the appearance of Veritas of the Dark. Their main objective is to protect the crystals that maintain the balance, a theme that takes us directly back to the origins of the franchise. They are joined by Fina, a young woman with amnesia who has been trapped in a crystal and who shares a mysterious connection with the Espers . Although the storyline is based on the mobile title, the developers have rewritten the dialogue and altered the order of events to ensure the plot flows with the quality expected of a €50 release.
The world we'll explore is divided into several continents separated by vast oceans, guaranteeing the return of iconic elements like airships and chocobos for transportation. There will be plenty of puzzle-filled dungeons, though the team has thoughtfully reduced the frequency of random encounters in these areas so we don't get bogged down trying to solve riddles. Furthermore, a color indicator on the minimap will warn us of nearby enemies, a welcome modern touch in such a classic system.
Pure and simple strategy: the return of turn-based gameplay
As for the combat, the game does away with the Active Time Bar (ATB) to focus on a strict turn-based system where planning is everything. The big new feature is the stun mechanic , very similar to that seen in Final Fantasy XIII or the remake of the seventh installment. If we manage to exploit the opponent's weaknesses, we'll leave them vulnerable, allowing us to chain together devastating attacks. The developers have sought an interesting balance: fights against regular enemies are quick and agile , while the final bosses will force us to rack our brains for quite some time.
But the real ace up their sleeve is the Visions . These function similarly to Personas or Stands, allowing us to summon the spirits of legendary heroes like Cloud, Terra, or Squall to lend us their power. There will be a total of 26 crystallized essences that we can equip to our characters to improve their stats and unlock unique abilities. By using these visions, we'll increase our affinity with them, unlocking Resonances, which are combo attacks presented with spectacular three-dimensional visuals that momentarily break away from the pixel art style.
Content to give and take across all platforms
If you're worried about the length of the game, you can rest assured there's plenty to keep you busy. The main campaign can be completed in around 40 hours on average , but if you're the type to explore every chest and side quest, that number can easily climb to 80 hours. It's worth noting that all the optional tasks are completely new , so even those who played the original mobile title will find fresh stories and new challenges to overcome in this vast map.
Regarding availability, the game leaves no one out. It will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam and Microsoft Store), and, of course, on both generations of Nintendo's hybrid console. In Europe, the standard edition will cost around €50, while the Digital Deluxe version will be priced at €60. For collectors, Square Enix will release a special physical edition that includes an art book, a soundtrack featuring 33 new tracks, and an exclusive card from the franchise's official trading card game.
Visual fidelity and the master touch of Team Asano
The visuals are undoubtedly the crown jewel. The HD-2D style has evolved since 2020 to offer seamless integration between classic sprites and dynamically lit environments. It's clear that a great deal of care has been put into the cutscenes, aiming for that nostalgic impact of the Super Nintendo games but with today's technology. The influence of Final Fantasy V is evident in the party customization, allowing for enormous strategic freedom when configuring your combat formations.
With all of the above in mind, we're looking at a title that seeks to reconcile the brand with its deepest roots without sacrificing modern technical prowess. By removing the barriers of mobile gaming and focusing on a self-contained, high-quality story , this project positions itself as a must-play for any fan of the genre who owns a next-gen console or a powerful PC. All that remains is to wait until October to see if the synergy between Rain, the visions of classic heroes, and the imposing Espers lives up to the legend this name represents.