The developers of Final Fantasy 16 have stated that the release date for the game will be revealed at the end of 2022 and that a demo is in the works. FF16 currently has a Summer 2023 release window, which is loose enough that some have theorized that a delay could be in order, with the game launching later in 2023. Square Enix has delayed Final Fantasy games late in development in the past, with FF15 and Endwalker both receiving last-minute delays, much to the disappointment of the fans.
It seems that FF16 could be on track to hit its release window. In a recent interview with Final Fantasy 16 is nearly completed. Yoshida also mentioned that an FF16 demo is in the works, but he didn't say anything about when players might be able to it.
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There have been several FF16 trailers released so far, but they have mostly been cinematic affairs, showing brief glimpses of gameplay. As it stands, players don't know a great deal about FF16's combat system. The game only has one playable character, in the form of Clive Rosfield, and the trailers show him wielding the power of different Eikons (the FF16 version of the Final Fantasy summon monsters), in a combat system that is reminiscent of Devil May Cry. Final Fantasy 16's solo combat system is a departure for the series, as even FF7 Remake let the player switch between different characters, so it will be interesting to learn the details of how the battle system will work.
A playable demo of FF16 will be even more welcome, as it will give fans a chance to experience the combat system first-hand. The only issue Square Enix needs to be aware of is leaks, as the FF7 Remake demo was quickly datamined, revealing all kinds of new information about the game that had yet to be formally announced, such as Sephiroth being the end boss.
If an FF16 demo is released, then it will likely be close to the game's launch. The lack of FF16 content at TGS 2022, or at least, any new content, was initially troubling, as that would have been the ideal venue to reveal more about the game. It seems that those worries were unfounded, and that Final Fantasy 16 is on track to hit its release window.
Source: Dengeki Online
