Steam drops stunning free anime JRPG demo that’s pure weeb bait

The sun is setting on summer, and it's time for cosy gaming nights with a cup of cocoa and a warm blanket.

This year, the autumn calendar is as stacked as we've ever seen it, with AAA titles dropping every week throughout September and October, all in the hope of undercutting Grand Theft Auto VI in November.

But it's undoubtedly going to take a toll on the old debit card bills, and you might be looking elsewhere for a cheaper alternative - or at least something that you can try before you buy.

Up steps Trials in the Sky.

Cooked up as Final Fantasy meets Dragon Quest, the extensive JRPG series is back with its latest instalment for 2026, and there's a free demo to sink your teeth into on Steam.

Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter

Trials in the Sky is perfect for autumn gaming with a free taste test

Made by Nihon Falcom, Trials in the Sky - 2nd Chapter is the remake of the iconic 2006 title, and comes on the back of a massive predecessor.

Set as an action-adventure JRPG, the game follows a gang of protagonists who are ripped apart with the mysterious disappearance of love interest Joshua.

"After quelling the coup d'état that shook the Kingdom of Liberl, Estelle and Joshua have finally become senior bracers. However, on the eve of the Queen's Birthday Festival, Joshua reveals the dark truth of his past before vanishing into the night, leaving only his brief farewell: 'Goodbye, Estelle,'" the description reads.

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"Armed with Joshua's harmonica and an unshakable determination, Estelle embarks upon a continent-spanning quest to find her partner. During her journey, she must take on the sinister society of Ouroboros as it emerges from the shadows to plunge Liberl into utter chaos.

"Confronted with the greatest crisis in the history of Liberl, Estelle and her allies battle to find Joshua and untangle the web of intrigue and conspiracy woven by Ouroboros!"

Available on Steam very soon

The first title, released last year, was a blockbuster hit on Steam and PlayStation, with it scoring 9s and 10s across the board from critical publications.

"One of the best remakes I've ever played! 100% captures the original game in every way with the only real changes being the localization itself due to a change in publisher and the battle system being more upgraded to the newer system utilized by the series," one review reads on Steam.

The sequel promises to be all that and more when it launches in full on Steam on September 17.

But before then, you can get a full chapter's worth of gameplay from a free Demo, which sets the scene and introduces fun characters and engaging combat systems.

All save data captured in the free demo will be copied over to your full game too, should you choose to stick with it.

In an autumn of uncertainty, wondering where to put your cash, it's the perfect way of enjoying an incredible game without fully committing.

Make it a weekend trial, or a tee-up for weeks of enjoyment; that's up to you.