Seven days out from launch, Final Fantasy Resonance already has its first review verdict. Square Enix's upcoming turn-based RPG, arriving October 22, earned a 36/40 from Famitsu, the long-running Japanese publication whose four-critic panel system is one of the most recognizable in the industry. For fans of JRPG games who have been watching this one closely, that number is a solid green light.
What the Famitsu panel actually said
Here's the lowdown on how Famitsu's scoring works for anyone not already familiar: four separate critics each award a score out of 10, and the totals are combined into a single number out of 40. Final Fantasy Resonance received 9/9/9/9, meaning every reviewer landed on the same mark. That kind of consistency across four independent critics is actually less common than you'd think, and it signals a game that lands well across the board rather than polarizing its audience.
A 36/40 puts Resonance in genuinely good company for the series. It won't be breaking any Famitsu records, but it's a confident score for a new entry in a franchise where expectations run high.
How long you'll be playing this one
Beyond the score itself, some runtime details have surfaced that give a clearer picture of what you're buying into. The main story sits somewhere in the 20 to 30 hour range, which is a reasonable length for players who want the narrative without committing to every side quest. The full completion figure, however, lands around 70 hours. That's a substantial game.
For context, if you've spent time with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and its sprawling open regions, 70 hours won't come as a shock. Resonance appears to follow that same philosophy of rewarding players who want to see everything.
The demo factor and what it means for day-one players
A lot of players have already formed their own opinions through the available demo, which means the Famitsu score lands in a community that isn't going in blind. That's actually a healthy situation. When a game's demo has been out long enough for players to develop a feel for the combat and pacing, a strong review score reinforces rather than surprises.
The demo-to-full-game save transfer is worth flagging again specifically because it removes any friction from picking up where you left off. You won't be replaying the opening hours on October 22.
Square Enix's turn-based bet is paying off early
Final Fantasy Resonance represents Square Enix leaning back into traditional turn-based mechanics at a time when the series has been experimenting with real-time action systems. A 36/40 from Famitsu suggests that bet is landing well with critics, at least in Japan where the publication carries the most weight.
What this means for players is simple: if you were already interested, the first review gives you little reason to hesitate. If you're still on the fence, the 70-hour runtime and consistent critical reception make it worth a closer look before launch day arrives. For broader coverage of Square Enix's RPG catalog, the Final Fantasy VII Rebirth guides collection is a good reference point for understanding how deep these games can go once you're past the main story.
