Square Enix Officially Drops Free Download For 9/10 Zelda-Inspired Adventure

Published Oct 30, 2026, 8:53 AM EDT

Nicholas Becher is a gaming journalist with an MFA in Creative Writing from FAU. With extensive experience playing video games, he covers all forms of gaming content at Screen Rant, from breaking news to the latest fan theories. Most-played games range from Clair Obscur to Civ to Elden Ring to Halo 2 and beyond. 

Square Enix has been responsible for some of the most iconic and influential video games ever released, with an incredible library of beloved franchises spanning multiple generations. From the legendary Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest series to Kingdom Hearts, Chrono Trigger, and NieR: Automata, the publisher has helped define the RPG genre, delivering unforgettable adventures that continue to attract millions of players around the world.

More recently, Square Enix has enjoyed considerable success with its gorgeous HD-2D games, including Octopath Traveler, while continuing to experiment with new ideas and franchises. One of its latest releases takes that distinctive visual style in an exciting new direction, offering an adventure that should immediately appeal to fans of Nintendo's iconic The Legend of Zelda series.

The game has already earned considerable praise from critics, including impressive 9/10 review scores, and there's now a way for players to experience this beautiful fantasy adventure completely free without committing to a purchase.

Square Enix's latest action RPG, The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, has already earned great reviews so far, and players can currently experience part of the adventure completely free. Available directly through the game's Steam store page, the free Prologue Demo offers a substantial introduction to the fantasy world of Philabieldia without requiring players to purchase the full $59.99 game.

Developed by Square Enix's Team Asano and Claytechworks, the game combines the gorgeous HD-2D visual style of Octopath Traveler with real-time action and exploration reminiscent of Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda franchise. Players take on the role of Elliot, a young adventurer accompanied by a fairy named Faie, as the pair embark on a journey involving ancient mysteries and time travel across four distinct historical eras.

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Combat is more action-oriented than Square Enix's traditional turn-based RPGs, featuring seven different weapon types, including swords, bows, spears, and boomerangs. Players can equip two weapons simultaneously and customize their abilities using collectible magicite, while Faie's magical powers are essential for both defeating enemies and solving environmental puzzles.

The free Prologue Demo gives players access to the opening chapter of the adventure, allowing them to experience the story while exploring the world, discovering hidden areas, battling monsters, and getting a taste of the various equipment. Although certain areas remain inaccessible, Square Enix emphasizes that the demo offers the same freedom of exploration as the full release.

Further, progress made during the demo carries over to the complete game, meaning players won't have to repeat the opening hours if they eventually decide to purchase it. This updated demo also incorporates improvements made following feedback on an earlier playable version, including faster movement, an additional difficulty option, and quality-of-life adjustments.

Originally released on June 18, 2026, The Adventures of Elliot has received loads of critical praise, with recent Steam user reviews at 91% positive, although its overall rating sits at 79%. The free demo is available now on Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2, making it an excellent opportunity to try one of Square Enix's most interesting recent adventures before committing to the full experience.

The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales

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