What’s in the STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN DEMO?

A free demo for the action RPG is out today on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. Here’s what to expect, and a few tips to get you started.
By Duncan Heaney

Want to try your hand at STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN before the March 18 launch?

A free demo is available today on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles. This generous slice of the game lets you get to grips with the fast-paced combat system, see some of the different jobs available, and a world that’s mysterious, but may also seem familiar to FINAL FANTASY fans…

What’s more, all the progress you make in the demo can be carried over to the full game! Read on and we’ll tell you more.

What’s in the STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN DEMO?

The new demo lets you explore multiple areas from the full game, either solo or with two other players, each one full of dangerous creatures from across the FINAL FANTASY series.

The Chaos Shrine from STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN

You’ll explore the dark corridors of the Chaos Shrine, fending off bombs, goblins and even the occasional (gulp!) Tonberry!

Pravoka Seagrot

Soon after, you’ll explore the coral caves of Pravoka Seagrot, where you’ll battle spiders, pirates and the extremely dangerous Captain Bikke. Watch out for his massive axe.

The Western Keep from STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN

You’ll also head to the Western Keep - an ancient castle full of fresh dangers. Get ready to dodge giant arrows as you explore the treacherous battlements.

Taking on these deadly areas isn’t easy, but fortunately you have access to multiple jobs. These are ‘roles’ that Jack can be assigned in battle - up to two can be equipped at a time and switched between at the push of a button.

You start as a Swordsman, and over the course of the demo get access to the Black Mage, Lancer, Pugilist and many more.

You’ll also be able to enjoy the game’s extensive loot system, which lets you earn gear from finding chests, defeating enemies and completing missions. As you explore and build your skills, you’ll strengthen Jack and his allies… and make them look good while doing so!

And best of all, all your progress and loot will carry over to the full game, so nothing will be lost when you start your journey proper on March 18, 2022!

Captain Bikke

Where can I download the demo?

The STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN DEMO is available to download today from the PlayStation Store and Microsoft Store.

Job tree screen from STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN

5 essential tips to get you started

The world of STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN is extremely dangerous, so it may be useful to go in armed with a bit of knowledge.

With that in mind, here are 5 simple tips to help you on your journey to free the land from darkness.


1. Understand how to defend yourself

Jack’s a tough guy, but there’s only so many hits a man can take before he’s down for the count. As a result, it’s best to avoid taking any blows at all - easier said than done in a world as dangerous as STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN’s.

The simplest option is to block - so long as you’re holding the button, many enemy attacks will be neutralised. Be careful though - your break gauge will take a hit each time you deflect an attack, and when it’s gone, you’re vulnerable to attacks.

Another option is to use Soul Shield. Using this drains the break gauge quickly, but it also means that some enemy abilities can be stolen and learned. He can then cast these back at foes. Using Soul Shield effectively requires some practice, but the rewards are more than worth it.

Finally, you can dodge in any direction. Some attacks may hit an area or can’t be blocked. In those cases, you should be ready to get out of the way as quickly as possible!


2. Enemy abilities can be invaluable

The enemy attacks you can steal with Soul Shield can be enormously useful. For example, casting their own Fire back at the Bombs will make them grow, and eventually self-destruct. It’s a great way to take them out fast… just make sure you keep your distance.


3. Your allies are here to help

Remember that Ash, Jed and Neon are always available to help you deal with a particular enemy. By using left and right on the d-pad, you can direct them to unleash their abilities more frequently. This is useful for taking down foes faster, but also giving you some breathing room to heal or get your bearings. It’s especially useful during boss battles - so if Chaos or Captain Bikke are giving you a hard time, go sic your friends on ‘em.


4. Be a jobsworth

Make sure you play with all the options available in the demo to find your perfect combat style. You may find that you gravitate to one or two particular jobs or mix and match across all the different options - both approaches are equally valid.

Every job in the game is viable, but digging into their strengths, weaknesses and unique abilities will make you an even more effective fighter. Plus, it’s a lot of fun.


5. Explore the difficulty options:

STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN can be a challenging game - the enemies hit hard, and boss fights are brutal.

If you find yourself struggling with a particular encounter - or just want to enjoy the tale of Jack and his compatriots without stress - try changing the difficulty to STORY. This will lower the challenge and help you progress.

You can reduce the level of difficulty by interacting with cubes in the environment and on the level select screen, and don’t be afraid to do so. While it can be fun to ‘git gud’ - and the game definitely rewards that - STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN is intended as an action RPG for all players. So, experience it however you want!

The demo is available to download and play today - we hope you enjoy it!

STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN launches for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC via Epic Games Store on March 18, 2022.

Anyone who pre-orders the Digital Standard and Digital Deluxe Editions of STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN will receive 72-hour early access to the full game (24-hour early access for PC version), as well as the Braveheart weapon and Lustrous Shield, and early-purchase bonus: the Rebellion.

For more information on the game, check out the STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN website, and follow us on social media:

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