The Final Fantasy 16 demo is a massive hit among PS5 owners

Despite these concerns, it's essential to note that the demo is an older build of the game (version 1.01), compared to the 1.03 version shown off last. As such, players remain optimistic that these minor issues will be resolved in the final product. After all, Square Enix has a proven track record of delivering polished, highly enjoyable games.

Other minor criticisms revolve around elements such as motion blur, some sub-par textures, and shadow pop-ins. However, these gripes do not significantly impact the overall gaming experience for most players, as the immersive story, riveting combat sequences, and emotive music easily overshadow these minor flaws.

Players have noted the fluidity and enjoyment of the combat, the high-quality voice acting, the seriousness of the game's tone, and the breath-taking graphics, particularly the particle effects and glowing magic. The music, too, has drawn praise, being described as some of the best in the Final Fantasy series.

The rich story, coupled with the twists and turns that kept players riveted throughout the demo, indicates that we could have a Game of the Year contender on our hands.

More importantly, Square Enix's confidence in Final Fantasy 16 seems warranted, given the amount of polish the demo has.

A big commercial launch for Final Fantasy 16 sets the stage for the rest of Square Enix's rumored and confirmed lineup for its best-selling franchise. On top of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, which comes out next year, Square is believed to be working on remakes of Final Fantasy 9 and Final Fantasy X with a remaster of Final Fantastic Tactics on the way.