Exploring the Anticipated Final Fantasy 16 Demo: Features and Gameplay Walkthrough.

Nearly three years after its announcement, Square Enix has recently released a free demo of Final Fantasy 16. This demo comes in two parts, each showcasing a different aspect of the game. The first section focuses on the story, with a lengthy prologue that establishes the characters and world, and the second part is more battle-heavy and highlights the game’s mechanics and Clive’s abilities.

**Part One: The Story-Centric Prologue**

The prologue section is extensive, lasting about two hours and introduces the game’s protagonist, Clive. Initially, Clive is 15 years old, and players get to meet his wolf companion, Torgal, as a cute little puppy. The prologue also includes a mission deep into goblin-infested territory and a boss battle. Later on, Clive’s situation turns grim, and players are taken through a more challenging and darker storyline, complete with fights and frights, ultimately leading to a tragic conclusion.

**Part Two: The Battle-Heavy Fortress**

The second section of the demo takes a more battle-focused approach. It offers players a wide playground to familiarize themselves with Clive’s abilities, with more of his Eikonic abilities than what will be present in the full game presented to players. The dungeon concludes with an epic clash between Clive and villainess Benedikta, with both characters transforming into FF16’s iconic Eikons. The battle against Benedikta’s Garuda is fought in Clive’s own Ifrit form, wrapping up the gameplay with style.

**Data Transfer into the Main Game**

The demo does offer save data transfer, but only for the prologue section. Once you have completed the prologue, you will not have to replay it again in the full game. However, save data from the second section of the demo is not transferable, as it is positioned several hours ahead of the game’s story starting from where the prologue ends.

**Difficulty Modes**

The demo offers two difficulty modes: story-focused and action-focused mode. Story-Focused Mode offers timely accessories that aid newbies in the art of dodging and parrying. Meanwhile, the action-focused mode mode removes the default assistance, and you will need to equip the accessories manually if you want to use them.

**Final Thoughts**

The Final Fantasy 16 demo offers a rich blend of gameplay, mechanics, and the game’s storyline. For those eagerly waiting for the game’s release, the demo provides a considerable insight into the upcoming game’s world and characters. The playable demo is now available free of charge on the PlayStation Store, with Final Fantasy 16 scheduled to launch on June 22, 2023.