Final Fantasy Resonance Director Talks Turn-Based RPGs
Final Fantasy Resonance Director Explains Why Turn-Based RPGs Are Rising Again
Final Fantasy Resonance is bringing the franchise back to a classic turn-based RPG structure, and its developers believe the timing makes sense.
The upcoming game uses an HD-2D visual style and reimagines story elements from Final Fantasy Brave Exvius for modern platforms. During an interview, producer Keisuke Nakashima and director Hiroto Furuya shared their thoughts on why turn-based RPGs are seeing renewed attention in today’s gaming landscape.
Turn-Based RPGs Never Truly Disappeared
In recent years, turn-based RPGs have gained stronger visibility again across both Japanese and Western games.
Atlus continues to support the genre through titles like Persona, Metaphor: ReFantazio, and Shin Megami Tensei. Square Enix also continues to carry the format through franchises and projects such as Octopath Traveler and Dragon Quest.
Meanwhile, Western titles like Baldur’s Gate III and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 have also earned major praise, while indie games such as Sea of Stars and Chained Echoes helped prove that modern audiences still respond strongly to classic RPG design.
The result is not exactly a comeback from nothing. Instead, the genre appears to be enjoying a new wave of attention after years of steady support.
New Technology Helps Classic RPGs Feel Modern
When asked about the resurgence of turn-based RPGs, producer Keisuke Nakashima said he still believes there is room for pixel-art turn-based RPGs to grow and evolve in the modern era.
For him, these games carry familiar roots from classic RPGs, but that does not mean they need to feel outdated. By applying modern technology, better presentation, cinematic camera work, and updated design ideas, developers can make traditional RPG systems feel fresh again.
That idea fits Final Fantasy Resonance directly. The game keeps a classic RPG identity while using HD-2D visuals, dynamic presentation, and modern platform support to make the experience feel both nostalgic and new.
Developers Are Rebuilding the Games They Grew Up With
Director Hiroto Furuya pointed to another reason behind the genre’s renewed momentum: many current developers grew up playing turn-based RPGs.
Those players have now become creators. As a result, some of them are returning to the experiences that shaped them, then reworking, reinterpreting, or improving those ideas for a new generation.
Furuya also compared this trend to what happens in anime, manga, and other entertainment fields, where creators often revisit older works, rebuild familiar formats, or create new versions of beloved styles from the past.
In that sense, the current turn-based RPG wave is not only about nostalgia. It is also about creators carrying forward the games that influenced them.
Handheld Gaming May Also Help
Furuya also noted that portable gaming devices may help turn-based RPGs fit modern play habits.
Turn-based systems often work well during shorter sessions because players can pause, think, plan, and continue without needing constant real-time action. This makes them suitable for handheld gaming, portable consoles, and players who want to enjoy RPGs during breaks or travel.
As more platforms support flexible play styles, turn-based RPGs may feel more convenient than ever.
The Genre Is Also Changing
The wider discussion around turn-based RPGs is not one-sided.
Some developers believe the genre never really disappeared and is simply receiving more attention now. Others argue that younger players may prefer real-time action, which is why modern RPGs often blend turn-based foundations with faster systems, cinematic mechanics, or hybrid combat.
Dragon Quest’s developers have also expressed that a game does not need to stay turn-based forever if another system better supports its main theme.
That makes the current RPG landscape more interesting. Turn-based systems are still alive, but developers are also experimenting with how to make them feel more dynamic and relevant.
Final Fantasy Resonance Arrives This October
Final Fantasy Resonance is planned for release on October 22, 2026 for Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2.
The game returns to a pixel-art Final Fantasy world with classic elements such as airships, crystals, espers, moogles, strategic battles, and Visions that players can call upon during combat.
For fans who have been asking for a more traditional Final Fantasy RPG experience, this could become one of the year’s most interesting releases.
The renewed attention around turn-based RPGs makes sense because the genre has both nostalgia and flexibility on its side. Players still love careful planning, party building, and strategic combat, while modern technology helps these games look and feel more dramatic than before. Final Fantasy Resonance feels well-positioned for that moment, especially if it can honor classic JRPG design while still feeling fresh for today’s players.
