Final Fantasy 16’s Clive Returns in Final Fantasy Resonance

Clive Rosfield is coming back next month. The protagonist of Final Fantasy XVI will appear in Final Fantasy Resonance, a forthcoming turn-based role-playing game from Square Enix scheduled for release on 22 October 2026.

Clive’s return offers a different take on the character after Final Fantasy XVI placed him in a real-time action system. Players controlled his melee attacks, dodges and powerful Eikon abilities directly, while Resonance returns to the strategic, turn-based format associated with earlier entries in the series.

The decision is also understandable from a popularity standpoint. Clive was voted the series’ second-most popular protagonist in a 2023 poll, behind Cloud Strife. Cloud will also appear in Final Fantasy Resonance.

How Clive works in Final Fantasy Resonance

Clive is one of several familiar characters included through the game’s Visions system. These Visions act like summonable echoes of Final Fantasy heroes, supporting the player’s party during battles.

Each Vision provides different benefits based on the character it represents. Those effects can include additional magical power, new attack types and stat improvements. Calling on Clive brings the strength of Ifrit to the fight, delivering substantial fire damage to enemies.

More familiar faces join the cast

Square Enix has confirmed more than a dozen returning characters for Resonance. The announced line-up includes:

• Warrior of Light
• Firion
• Luneth
• Terra
• Cecil
• Bartz
• Cloud
• Squall
• Zidane
• Tidus
• Shantotto
• Vaan
• Lightning
• Y’shtola
• Noctis

The game is a single-player experience inspired by the mobile RPG Final Fantasy Brave Exvius. It shares that title’s central cast, including the knights Rain and Lasswell.

Release date and visual style

Final Fantasy Resonance launches on 22 October 2026. Its presentation uses the HD-2D style seen in other Square Enix projects, including Octopath Traveler and Dragon Quest I & II.

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