Whether you’re an ardent fan of the iconic Final Fantasy series or simply adore classic JRPGs, Steam has just the free experience for you to try right now. This new game offers an engaging blend of Final Fantasy’s memorable storytelling and Chrono Trigger’s timeless retro charm, so it’s well worth checking out.

Called Forge of the Fae, developer Datadyne hasn’t yet announced the official price tag for after release. That said, earlier this year, the studio launched a Kickstarter campaign that let the community fund the game by pledging at various reward tiers. Gamers were able to secure a digital copy for as little as $18, while those willing to spend more could opt for premium Creator Bundles that included exclusive physical rewards, early access, and even the chance to work directly with the developers to design NPCs, enemies, and other in-game elements.

The full version of the game has yet to be released, but you can download and try the demo for free. It won’t be free-to-play when it launches, and while it’s set to go live across platforms beyond PC, the free demo is only available on Steam at the time of writing.

In case you haven’t tried this genre before or are looking for some context about the plot, here’s what you need to know. At its core, Forge of the Fae is “a story-rich pixel RPG inspired by Celtic folklore,” designed to capture the best of classic JRPGs through turn-based combat, memorable characters, and a richly woven fantasy narrative. But there’s far more to it than that description.

Populated with ancient myths, political intrigue, and supernatural mysteries, Forge of the Fae is naturally reminiscent of classic JRPGs like Final Fantasy and Chrono Trigger through its story and turn-based combat. That said, its focus on exploration, puzzle-solving, and uncovering hidden secrets also owes a debt to The Legend of Zelda. Meanwhile, cozy towns, memorable NPCs, and a welcoming pixel-art aesthetic evoke the charm of Stardew Valley, giving the adventure a more laid-back feel between its larger story beats.

The gameplay is all about strategic, turn-based battles, party progression, and exploration of handcrafted environments inspired by Irish mythology. As a player, you can take on quests, meet a colorful cast of characters, uncover ancient secrets, and explore mysterious forests, towns, and dungeons.

Of course, you can’t experience the full scale of the game in a demo. But it still offers a couple of hours’ worth of content and should give you a satisfying taste of what’s to come. If you’re not sure about owning the full game, the demo is an easy way to see whether the adventure deserves a place on your wishlist and, eventually, in your library.

As of now, the developers are aiming for a full release in 2027, and it won’t just be on Steam. Forge of the Fae is set to be released across PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch consoles and will have a version for macOS devices too. The Kickstarter campaign has now ended, so you can no longer pre-purchase the game. Instead, Final Fantasy fans can wishlist it or download the free demo on Steam while waiting for the full release.

Created by

Hironobu Sakaguchi

First Film

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within

Latest Film

Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV

First TV Show

Final Fantasy: Legend of the Crystals

Latest TV Show

Brotherhood: Final Fantasy XV

First Episode Air Date

October 2, 2001

Final Fantasy is Square Enix’s flagship fantasy RPG franchise and one of gaming’s defining anthology series. Created by Hironobu Sakaguchi, the property spans standalone mainline games, direct sequels, spin-offs, films, anime, and live-action adaptations, with each major entry introducing a new world, new heroes, and a new conflict while preserving recurring franchise DNA. Across decades, Final Fantasy has built its identity around ambitious storytelling, technological leaps, and a willingness to reinvent itself without losing its core sense of wonder.