# Final Fantasy Resonance vs Octopath Traveler II

As of 28 October 2026, 96% of 3,173 player reviews recommend Final Fantasy Resonance, and 93% of 13,650 recommend Octopath Traveler II.

> Octopath Traveler II has set the bar for Square Enix’s HD-2D role-playing games since 2023, and players hold Final Fantasy Resonance in the same high regard.

## In short

Players praise the pixel art and the music of both. Final Fantasy Resonance stands out for its classic Final Fantasy feel and its Visions, and Octopath Traveler II for its eight separate stories and its Break and Boost battles. Both draw story complaints, and both ask for some grinding to keep a full party ready.

## At a glance

| | Final Fantasy Resonance | Octopath Traveler II |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Released | 22 October 2026 | 24 February 2023 |
| Price at launch | $49.99 | $59.99 |
| Developer | Square Enix | Square Enix and Acquire |
| Publisher | Square Enix | Square Enix |
| Players recommend it | 96% of 3,173 reviews | 93% of 13,650 reviews |
| Our reading | 80 most helpful and 40 latest reviews, read 26 October 2026 | 80 most helpful and 40 latest reviews, read 20 October 2026 |

## What players praise

### Final Fantasy Resonance

- **It feels like classic Final Fantasy.** Players praise the turn-based battles, the world map, the classic summons and music from the original games.
- **Visions make party building deep.** Visions of heroes from earlier games work much like a job system, and players enjoy planning a party around them.
- **The HD-2D look stands out.** Pixel art with modern lighting draws praise in review after review.

### Octopath Traveler II

- **The look stands out.** Pixel sprites, detailed 3D towns and dynamic lighting draw repeated praise.
- **The soundtrack is loved.** Battle themes, character themes and night versions of town tracks are singled out.
- **Eight stories, each with its own charm.** Most players find each traveler’s story distinct, and the late chapters tie the threads together.
- **Break and Boost combat stays engaging.** The system, with its new Latent Powers, gives fights a tactical edge.

## What players criticise

### Final Fantasy Resonance

- **The story is the weak point.** A minority find the plot predictable and the writing thin next to the older games.
- **Some find it explains too much.** Objectives are spelled out at every step, and tutorials keep coming.
- **Builds run into tight limits.** Each character has one Vision slot and two accessory slots, and attuning Visions across the party takes grinding.

### Octopath Traveler II

- **The stories are uneven.** The eight arcs vary a lot in quality, and some moments come across as cheesy or dull.
- **The travelers rarely feel like a party.** Banter and crossed paths are short and easy to miss.
- **Grinding slows the pace.** Characters outside the party don’t gain experience, so keeping all eight ready turns into a chore.

## Which to pick

- Pick Final Fantasy Resonance if you want a classic Final Fantasy with turn-based battles and a party built from the series’ heroes. https://creativecult.digital/games/final-fantasy-resonance
- Pick Octopath Traveler II if you want polished turn-based fights, eight separate stories and a world to wander. https://creativecult.digital/games/octopath-traveler-ii

## Questions

### Is Final Fantasy Resonance better than Octopath Traveler II?

Players rate both highly. As of 28 October 2026, 96% of Final Fantasy Resonance’s 3,173 reviews recommend it and 93% of Octopath Traveler II’s 13,650. Players who want classic Final Fantasy lean to Resonance, and those who want eight separate stories to Octopath Traveler II.

### Which has the better story?

Players fault both. Octopath Traveler II’s eight stories vary a lot in quality, and a minority of Final Fantasy Resonance’s players find its plot predictable and its writing thin.

### Do you need to grind in Final Fantasy Resonance or Octopath Traveler II?

Some, in both. Octopath Traveler II’s characters outside the party gain no experience, so keeping all eight ready takes grinding. In Final Fantasy Resonance, attuning Visions across the party takes grinding, and the slots for Visions and accessories are tight.

### How much do Final Fantasy Resonance and Octopath Traveler II cost?

On PC, Final Fantasy Resonance costs $49.99 and Octopath Traveler II $59.99.

### When did Final Fantasy Resonance and Octopath Traveler II come out?

Octopath Traveler II came out on 24 February 2023 and Final Fantasy Resonance on 22 October 2026.

## Sources

166. Steam: Octopath Traveler II, store page and user reviews: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1971650/
176. Steam: Final Fantasy Resonance, store page and user reviews: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3259780/
177. Nintendo: Final Fantasy Resonance: https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Nintendo-Switch-games/FINAL-FANTASY-RESONANCE-3112390.html

Page: https://creativecult.digital/compare/final-fantasy-resonance-vs-octopath-traveler-ii
