STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN: What’s in TRIAL VERSION 2?
A second trial version is available now on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Here’s what you can expect when you step into this brutal world…STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN is not your typical FINAL FANTASY game.
This is a darker, brutal take on the series - a fresh vision that combines challenging enemies, careful exploration, and some absolutely stellar combat.
But you don’t have to take our word for it - you can see for yourselves right now. A second trial version for the game is available - and it’s a chunky one too, with lots of new content that wasn’t in the first.
You can get it here:
While you’re waiting for the download to complete, here’s a preview of what you’ll see when you play it.
A new area full of familiar threats
The second trial version of the game sends you to a new area: the Refrin Wetlands.
This lush and verdant rainforest features gigantic trees with sprawling roots, damp ground, and some interesting weather changes - long-term FINAL FANTASY fans may find it reminds them of somewhere else…
With its vivid flora and open skies, it’s a far cry from the dark, oppressive halls of the Chaos Shrine - yet no less deadly.
Dangerous creatures hide themselves in every nook and cranny of this region. You’ll have to contend with the razor-sharp barbs and teeth of the disgusting Crawlers, defend yourselves against thunderous Coeurls, take on bands of menacingly moist Sahagins and more.
If you’re a long-time follower of the series, you’ll get a real kick out of seeing how some of these FINAL FANTASY mainstays have been reimagined for STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN - and rest assured, they’re particularly vicious here.
Fortunately, you’re not short of ways to deal with them…
Eight new jobs to dig into
Jack is an incredibly versatile protagonist, able to switch between lots of different jobs, each with their own unique skills, abilities, and playstyles. You could say, he’s Jack of all trades… literally!
As to how many he’s a master of… well, that’s largely dependent on how much you dig into them. And there’s a lot to dig into in TRIAL VERSION 2 - it adds a whopping eight additional jobs to get to grips with.
At first, you’ll have access to three new basic jobs:
- Pugilist
- White Mage
- Swordfighter
Once you’ve explored the intricacies of each one, you can experiment with the new advanced jobs:
- Duelist
- Red Mage
- Knight
- Thief
- Monk
Whether you’re pummelling foes into submission as a Pugilist or throwing out white and black magic as a Red Mage, every job has distinct strengths and weaknesses for you to get to grips with - you could conceivably spend hours just experimenting with all the different options at your disposal.
And let us not forget that all this is in addition to the original six jobs from TRIAL VERSION 1, making a total of 14 jobs! That’s a lot of very satisfying ways to brutalize your enemies!
A new boss that will probably kill you repeatedly
There is, as you’d hope, a boss fight in the Refrin Wetlands, and it’s a real doozy.
How do you feel about battling a gigantic flame elemental with an equally fiery temper? What about a water elemental that wants to wave you off? What about both of them at the same time?
To take down these forces of nature, you’ll have to get to the core of the problem - but that’s easier said than done.
Good luck.
An improved Chaos Shrine
The Refrin Wetlands isn’t the only area in the download - the Chaos Shrine from the first trial version is also back.
For those that missed it the first time, this area sends you on a treacherous trek through a crumbling temple that may seem more than a little familiar to fans of the original FINAL FANTASY.
Returning players will notice that’s it’s had a bit of a facelift - it’s a little brighter for one thing. That doesn’t mean it isn’t still dark and daunting - it very much is - but it’s easier to see what’s lurking in the dingiest corners.
The gameplay has also seen some changes and rebalances, including tweaks to the break gauge and MP recovery speeds, which is great for players who like to go for a high risk / high reward playstyle. It means that even if you’ve traversed the Chaos Shrine before, it’ll still feel fresh.
Oh, and yes - the boss is still a colossal jerk (in the best way possible).
Control your companions!
While the STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN TRIAL VERSION 2 is positively overflowing with things that want to kill you, there is some good news: you don’t have to face them alone.
Jack is accompanied by a group of trusty companions, and they’re here to help. Not only has their AI improved from Trial 1, making them more effective, you also have much more control over them.
For example, you can now manage your allies’ equipment. As you defeat enemies, they’ll drop new equipment - you can equip this to your companions to make them stronger and increase their chances of survival against some of your more… unruly opponents.
Even more excitingly, a new face is joining team Jack - but we’ll let you discover who that is when you play…
3-player co-op
If you prefer your companions to be a little more flesh and blood, you can play online with up to two other players!
It’s a blast to battle through the zones with a friend and use all your various abilities to help each other and hinder foes.
It’s a true co-op experience too - the world of STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN is savage, and the more you work together, the more chance you have of overcoming the darkness unscathed.
TRIAL VERSION 2 is available on Xbox Series X|S and PS5
The first STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN trial was playable exclusively on PS5, but now Xbox Series X|S players can join the party too.
TRIAL VERSION 2 is available today from each platform’s respective storefront. It’s free to download and can be played until October 11, 2021 7:59 a.m. (PDT) / 3:59 p.m. (BST).
So, what are you waiting for? Chaos isn’t going to kill itself.
STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN launches on March 18, 2022 for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC via Epic Games Store - and it’s available to preorder now!
In addition to the Standard Edition, which is available physically and digitally, there’s also a Digital Deluxe Edition for consoles, which includes a digital artbook, digital mini-soundtrack and a DLC Season Pass, which includes the additional missions: Trials of the Dragon King, ‘Wanderer of the Rift’ and ‘DIFFERENT FUTURE’.
Preorder any digital version of the game, and you'll also get some neat bonuses, including 72-hour early access to the full game (PC players will have 24-hour early access). You’ll also get some in-game items - the Braveheart weapon and the Lustrous Shield. You’ll also be eligible to get the Rebellion weapon too. Plus those who pre-order from PlayStation store will also receive an original PS4™ theme too.
With that, all that’s left to say is enjoy TRIAL VERSION 2! When you’ve played through a few times, don’t forget to fill out the Player Feedback Survey (access it on the title screen). This information is invaluable for helping the team refine and improve the game as it nears release.