The closed beta test for Final Fantasy XV‘s multiplayer expansion “Comrades” is live today. Those who purchased the Season Pass and have either PlayStation Plus and Xbox Live Gold will be able to check out the game before the full release. Currently the closed beta is scheduled to end on August 8th. (Update: an additional test will occur between August 11th and August 13th to further test the matchmaking feature.)

We gave it a spin, check it out in the video below:

In this expansion, you will create a custom character — in a rather lavish character creator — that serves as a member of the Kingsglaive, elite forces that serve the Royal Crown. We guess this takes place somewhere near the end of the main game when the world is thrown into chaos. When starting Comrades, you’ll have a base camp from which you can practice combat and take on new multiplayer missions.

Speaking to Cor will allow you to undertake one of three missions at a time. Should you choose “Quick Play”, the game will automatically match you with other players. Or, if you prefer, you can create a room or join someone else’s — there’s also an option to password lock yours for specific people you’d like to invite.

Missions often consist of defeating waves of enemies and protecting targets with up to three other players or AI. After you set off from your rendezvous point, you’ll be taken straight to the battle. Combat here is a little different than the main title, where you’ll be able to create a shield by holding the block button and cast healing and offensive spells with the left trigger and a button press. The ability to warp around and warp-strike is also intact, and should you parry and counter incoming enemy attacks, you will initiate a “chain-warp” combo in which the party’s warp-strikes will activate a counter that amplifies damage.

For communication purposes, you can use emotes by holding down the right trigger and selecting text or images from a menu.

After you complete a mission, spoils that you may have picked up from monsters or harvested will be used to make a meal. Just like in the main game, meals will bestow various bonuses. Note that you’ll only be able to take back one item from the field, so you’ll want to find the highest quality item you can for increased meal effectiveness.

Weapons in Comrades, in addition to stat bonuses, include Abilities. These include the ability to change the magic you have or the effect your attacks inflict – such as the ability for stop to afflict an enemy or replenishing MP on hit. These abilities also have a level system, but you cannot gain experience towards leveling up in this closed beta. Aside from ability levels, your character also has a base level where accumulated experience points are tabulated after a mission.

Here are the weapons and sigils you can find:

Katana

• Sennin-giri
  Attack Rating: 106
  Stat Bonuses: None
  Ability: Flurry Rush – Damage output increases with each consecutive strike.
  Obtained: initial equipment
• Ashura
  Attack Rating: 73
  Stat Bonuses: Fire Resistance +20%
  Ability: Flamebound – Standard attacks inflict fire-type elemental damage
  Ability: Offensive Spell: Fire – Caster’s default offensive spell changes into fire-type elemental magic.
  Obtained: Road to Old Lestallum, Naga Extermination

Clubs

• Mythril Hammer
  Attack Rating: 120
  Stat Bonuses: Strength +10
  Ability: None
  Obtained: initial equipment
• Imperial Axe
  Attack Rating: 181
  Stat Bonuses: Strength +10
  Ability: Soulsiphon – Standard attacks gain a small chance of replenishing MP.
  Obtained: Naga Extermination

Daggers

• Crimson Flashes
  Attack Rating: 88
  Stat Bonuses: Fire Resistance +10%
  Ability: Flamebound – Standard attacks inflict fire-type elemental damage
  Ability: Warp Combo: Fira – Casts fire-type elemental spell after a successful warp-strike.
  Obtained: initial equipment

Shuriken

• Kagenui
  Attack Rating: 24
  Stat Bonuses: None
  Ability: Petrifier – Standard attacks gain a small chance of stopping enemies in their tracks
  Obtained: initial equipment
• Fuma Shuriken
  Attack Rating: 65
  Stat Bonuses: None
  Ability: Deathbearer – Standard attacks gain a small chance of inflicting instant death.
  Obtained: Naga Extermination
• Raiton Shuriken
  Attack Rating: 96
  Stat Bonuses: Lightning Resistance +20%
  Ability: Stormbound – Standard attacks inflict Lightning-type elemental damage.
  Ability: Offensive Spell: Thundara – Caster’s default offensive spell changes into lightning-type elemental magic.
  Obtained: Hunting the Garulessa, Naga Extermination

Sigils

• The Rogue’s Sigil
  It enables the bearer to use [Left Analog Stick + Attack/Sprint Button] to take a step in midair after attacking (costs MP).
  Stat Bonuses: Strength +20
  Obtained: initial equipment
• The Pious’s Sigil
  It enables the bearer to cast two offensive spells in a row by expending more MP.
  Stat Bonuses: Strength -60, Magic +99, Spirit -99
  Obtained: initial equipment
• The Tall’s Sigil
  It greatly increases the bearer’s attack power but prevents them from casting curative spells.
  Stat Bonuses: HP +500, MP -30, Strength +60, Magic -50, Spirit -50
  Obtained: initial equipment
• The Oracle’s Sigil
  It enables the bearer to recover more HP across a wider range by expending more MP.
  Stat Bonuses: HP -200, MP +50, Strength -60, Magic -99, Spirit +60
  Obtained: initial equipment