The crucial element in Final Fantasy 16's demo that you can't afford to miss

The demo for Final Fantasy 16 presents an impressive introduction to the world of Valisthea, complete with stunning visual displays that match the trailers' hype. Jumping back in time, players delve into the backstory of Joshua and Clive, aided by the Active Lore System, setting the stage for the main storyline. The intro culminates in a potent conclusion that leaves an impact. However, it is essential to note that while the opening hours of the game are captivating, they only scratch the surface of the vast RPG world. During the main demo, players will have limited combat options, and Clive's abilities are not yet fully unlocked, acting as training wheels for the game. Square Enix offers a second mode to access the complete combat system, but some fans may miss out due to one significant reason.

Final Fantasy 16’s Eikon Challenge is Not What It Sounds Like

Upon completing the primary section of the Final Fantasy 16 demo, players will gain access to the Eikon Challenge, a mode that allows them to utilize multiple Eikons and expands Clive's ability pool. However, Square Enix fails to emphasize that this mode essentially serves as the second part of the demo. For enthusiasts of the combat system, the Eikon Challenge surpasses the main portion with even more cutscenes and significant story moments.

The main drawback of the Eikon Challenge lies in its name. Players are informed at the outset that they are skipping ahead in the story, a feature that should have been incorporated after the opening credits to create a seamless demo experience. Unfortunately, some players may not even realize this information as the separate section of the main menu and the name itself may lead them to believe that the Eikon Challenge is a training arena, a wave-based gameplay mode, or a challenge-based version of the main demo's boss fights. In reality, it is similar to the main demo, but with more intricate combat.

Players will be thrilled with the Eikon Challenge in Final Fantasy 16, where Clive teams up with Cid and an adult version of his loyal dog Torgal to take on Suparna, Chirada, and Benedikta in epic boss fights that test their skills. In between these battles, players can experience Clive's power as they fight through hordes of soldiers. While the combat in the main demo may feel simpler, it covers only the first few hours of the story, and players who are more interested in Devil May Cry-like combat may need more time to be won over. However, chaining together dozens of moves, activating a Limit Break, and watching Torval spin attack Clive's foes will surely please fans.

Final Fantasy 16's demo is an impressive display of its potential as a top-tier game. The main story portion delivers a captivating narrative, while the Eikon Challenge provides an exciting and challenging combat experience. However, it is unfortunate that the latter half of the demo is disguised with an obscure name and placed in a separate menu section, potentially causing some players to miss out on the full experience. It would be a pity to overlook the Eikon Challenge, as its thrilling battles could be the deciding factor in convincing players to fully embrace Square Enix's latest release. Final Fantasy 16 will be released on June 22, exclusively for PS5.