The PlayStation 5's next major exclusive is free to download and play right now

Final Fantasy fans can now play a free demo of the upcoming exclusive Final Fantasy XVI a week before its official release.

Game demos seem to be a dying form of media, and we’re seeing them less and less when it comes to new releases. This is in direct contrast with what gamers want, as many are calling for playable demos of new games following a spree of poorly optimised releases, most notably Redfall on Xbox, and The Last Of Us Part 1 for PC. Luckily, it seems Square Enix has listened, as a free demo of Final Fantasy XVI is now available to the public, free-of-charge, and it’s incredible. It’s so good that we’d consider it to be one of the “biggest reasons to buy a PS5”.

Take a look at Final Fantasy XVI in action below.

Released earlier this week, the PS5 exclusive demo can be found in the PlayStation Store as a free download, and takes players through the game’s prologue. It promises two hours of gameplay, and the best part is that any progress you make in the demo can be transferred to the full game, so you don’t have to tread familiar ground on your first playthrough.

Final Fantasy XVI marks the long-awaited return of the series, which hasn’t seen a mainline entry since 2016, aside from the Final Fantasy VII remake and spin-off titles. The 16th title in the series is described as an “epic dark fantasy world” that returns to the mediaeval roots of the franchise which, up to this point, has lent more into a modern or steampunk aesthetic. Players will take control of a new character, Clive Rosfield, a warrior known as the “First Shield of Rosaria” who’s main goal is to protect his younger brother Joshua, who is of great importance to the world and story.

It’ll actually be the first Final Fantasy title to completely abandon the turn-based combat the series is known for, in favour of fast-paced and flashy combat more akin to the Devil May Cry series, which makes sense as the game’s combat director Ryota Suzuki also worked on Devil May Cry 5.

The Final Fantasy XVI demo is free and ready to download right now on the PlayStation Store, and remember any progress you make in the demo can be transferred to the main game, which releases on 22 June.