The demo covers the Chapter 1 opening, runs 3 to 5 hours on a normal run, and includes 6 bosses once Shemhazai is unlocked (5 without the trigger). Hard Mode unlocks by clearing the demo's main story on any difficulty, and the demo save transfers to the full game on launch day.
On this page
Demo length and level cap
The demo does not publish a specific level cap beyond the Chapter 1 progression range. Three difficulty options are available — Casual, Normal, Expert. Casual is forgiving; Normal and Expert require real Sweeping Stagger plans on every boss.
How long to beat — demo, main story, completionist
| Scope | Estimated hours | Source |
|---|---|---|
Demo — Square Enix estimate | 3 to 5 | Square Enix producer estimate (hexeba hands-on) |
Demo — TGS staff playtime | around 6 | Tokyo Game Show staff run (hexeba hands-on) |
Demo — community range | 3 to 9 | Game8 community dossier |
Main story | 20 to 40 | Gamerfuzion previews (20–30) vs hexeba (30–40) |
Completionist | 60 to 80 | hexeba + gamerfuzion previews |
Demo bosses
| Boss | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Earth Shrine finale | Mandatory chapter closer | Teaches the Sweeping Stagger mechanic |
Town of Mitra ambush | Story-driven | First multi-enemy fight |
Grandshelt Castle encounter | Chapter 2 lead-in | New weakness bar introduced |
Siren's Tower mid-boss | Esper trial demo entrance | Pattern preview for full Siren fight |
Siren | Top of Siren's Tower optional dungeon | Confirmed Esper fight — beats grant Siren's help |
Shemhazai | Hidden, post-trigger |
In-demo Visions and Espers
The first Sanctum of Light on the road between the Earth Shrine and Town of Mitra grants the first legacy Vision. Cloud and Warrior of Light are the common early rewards. Most Sanctum locations for the remaining 23 Visions were not available in the demo.
The Esper's Dwelling demo content covers only the Siren fight at the top of the Siren's Tower optional dungeon in Chapter 1. Ramuh and the other Esper dwellings unlock in the full game.
Step-by-step demo checklist
Check the postbox
Right after the opening, check the postbox outside the inn in Town of Mitra for pre-order / Deluxe / Collector bonuses.
Done when: Bonus items are in the inventory.
First Sanctum of Light
Stop at the first Sanctum on the Earth Shrine → Mitra road to pick up your first legacy Vision (Cloud or Warrior of Light).
Done when: Vision Cryst is equipped before Town of Mitra.
Equip Vision Crystals before leaving Town of Mitra
The bonus carries into the first dungeon.
Done when: All four active characters are equipped.
High-bond dialogue choices
Pick the high-bond dialogue choices during Chapter 1 cutscenes to see the Vision Crystal gifting quest trigger before the credits.
Done when: Bond scenes are unlocked.
Siren fight after the first dungeon
Run the Siren's Tower Siren fight after the first dungeon — the fastest way to pick up an Esper in the demo.
Done when: Fina has summoned Siren.
Run trash at 2x
Run trash fights at 2x speed to save real time.
Done when: 2x speed is selected for the trash pull.
Demo secret boss trigger
The demo's only optional secret boss is Shemhazai. The trigger requires meeting specific in-demo conditions; the community recommends finishing the main Chapter 1 story first and exploring the overworld before pursuing it. The full trigger walkthrough lives on the demo secret boss page.
FAQ
How long is the FINAL FANTASY RESONANCE demo?
A normal demo run is 3 to 5 hours and covers the Chapter 1 opening. Six bosses appear once Shemhazai is unlocked; otherwise the demo has five.