https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ivzat4BSJ8

Editor’s Note: The above video by YouTuber Lystrasza is not affiliated with Niche Gamer.

The existence of a demo for Final Fantasy VII Remake seems to have been confirmed via leaks.

Gamstat registers PlayStation Network APIs to calculate how many users are playing games. In addition, it also monitors new additions to the PlayStation Store. As of this time of writing, “FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE DEMO” is listed, but it has no image. The website also confirmed the Resident Evil 3 remake ahead of its official reveal.

In addition the demo’s intro has seemingly leaked online via YouTuber Lystrasza, which you can view above. This seems to indicate the demo itself (or at least a promotional video) has leaked.

We will keep you informed as we learn more.

In case you missed it, we did a thorough hands-on preview for the game at this year’s E3 – you can read that preview here.

Final Fantasy VII Remake launches March 3rd for PlayStation 4.

UPDATE:

Gameplay footage from the demo has now surfaced online via YouTuber LM V2. Parts 1 and 3 of the gameplay have been uploaded, and can be viewed below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oy9JQaJ7tZ8

https://youtu.be/F3LJ1kESjIM

Editor’s Note: The above videos by YouTuber LM V2 are not affiliated with Niche Gamer.

If the above videos are accurate, it seems the demo encompasses the begging of the game, up to just after the escape from Mako Reactor 1.

Curiously, it seems the explosion from the charges was only enough to destroy an important part of the reactor- while President Shinra (via Heidegger) orders for the reactor to be destroyed in a far more devastating blast.

Whether the damage the bomb caused already meant the reactor was impossible to repair, or if Shinra sought to ruin Avalanche’s reputation by causing more wide-spread chaos and damage (or even both) is something to speculate.

Some may consider this contradicts earlier claims that the story would remain the same, or this may be considered an “additional story sequence” as mentioned in prior materials. Co-Director Naoki Hamaguchi had also mentioned his desire to “respect the original,” but also that the game would be something “new but familiar” to old fans.

What do you think? Sound off in the comments below!