Square Enix has announced that Final Fantasy XVI will launch on PC next month. The latest numbered entry in the long-running franchise will be available on Steam and the Epic Games Store starting September 17. In advance of the release, fans can download a free demo now through both digital storefronts.

Coming out in 2023. Final Fantasy XVI is more of an action role-playing game and offers players an original story. The epic dark fantasy is set in the realm of Valisthea – “a land blessed by the light of the Mother Crystals, and where peace is shaken as the spread of the plague threatens to destroy their domains.”

“The fate of the land will be decided by the Eikons, powerful summoned beasts and their dominants, men and women blessed with the ability to summon and guide them,” the synopsis makes you curious. “This is the story of Clive Rosfield, a warrior bestowed with the title of First Shield of Rosaria, and sworn to protect his younger brother Joshua, the Dominant of the Phoenix, Eikon of Fire. It is not long before Clive becomes embroiled in a great tragedy and swears vengeance on the dark Eikon known as Ifrit, a mysterious being who brings mischief.”

Now that a release date has been set, players can purchase the Standard Edition ($49.99) of Final Fantasy XVIwhich includes the base game, or the Complete Edition ($69.99), which also includes the two DLC chapters, “Echoes of the Fallen” and “The Rising Tide,” at a reduced price. You can purchase the DLC chapters individually or as part of the Expansion Pass at launch. In addition, anyone who pre-orders the game will receive the following in-game items:

• Brave Blade Weapon
• Cait Sith Charm (Gil Boost Accessory)
• Music roll “Sixteen Bells”

Both DLC chapters introduce new stories, battles, weapons, accessories, and weapons, while also increasing the level cap. Echoes of the Fallen begins before the final battle of the base game, when strange, dark crystals begin circulating on the black market. The description reads:

Players follow Clive and his companions on their investigation, where they encounter a group of suspicious traders, leading them to a long-abandoned Fallen tower called Sagespire and the terrible secrets that lurk within.

The Rising Tide, the game’s second and final DLC chapter, adds new depth to Clive’s journey before completing the base game.

Players will gain new Eikon abilities, explore a beautiful new area in the hidden land of Mysidia, and plunge into battle against the legendary water Eikon, Leviathan the Lost. This DLC also adds brand new endgame content with the Kairos Gate, where players must complete 20 levels of intense score and ranked battles against waves of enemies.

Originally released on PlayStation 5, Final Fantasy XVI received mostly positive reviews. The game sits at 87/100 on review aggregator Metacritic and even at 92% on OpenCritic. The game was largely praised for its overall narrative and themes, although the story’s pacing was uneven. Critics praised the game’s graphics and cinematic imagery, as well as its action-oriented gameplay, which may divide audience opinions. Final Fantasy fan base.

For those unsure about purchasing the PC version, there is a demo available on Steam and the Epic Game Store. The demo provides access to the game’s opening prologue during Clive’s youth. The demo features over two hours of content – with save data carrying over into the full game – as well as a special “Eikonic Challenge” mode where players can experience “More frenetic battles with access to even more iconic abilities in combat.”