Final Fantasy XIV is preparing for a new expansion and we are looking back with you at the past chapters of the MMORPG. Here is a ranking of your favorites.
What it’s about: On November 23, 2021, the MMORPG FFXIV will release its next expansion, Endwalker. To prepare for this, the last major content update for the current expansion, Shadowbringers, recently went live.
The Nier raid will conclude, and the quests surrounding the Queen’s weapons will be available soon. The story leads you into the events of Endwalker, allowing players to dive directly into the new occurrences upon release.
We at MeinMMO have taken this opportunity to look back with you at the sections of FFXIV that have been released so far. In a poll we asked you which chapter of the MMORPG you think is the best. From your answers, this ranking has now been created.
A total of 1152 readers participated in the poll at the time of evaluation (06/26/21). Each of you had one vote, and the choice could not be reversed.
Rank 4: A Realm Reborn
- Release: August 24, 2013
- Votes: 4.6%
This is A Realm Reborn: The base game is considered a kind of phoenix that rose from the ashes in the gaming community. After the disastrous launch of version 1.0 of FFXIV, the game was completely taken offline and revamped. The result was ARR, which offered players a much better gaming experience.
You start as a small adventurer setting out into the big world to make a name for yourself, gain fame, honor, and wealth, or simply help others in need. However, you quickly get caught in a whirlpool of power struggles, intrigues, and conspiracies from which there is no escape.
On the gameplay level, A Realm Reborn introduced the first raids to FFXIV with Bahamut and the Crystal Tower, where players could earn stylish and powerful gear. It also revamped the elaborate crafting system of the MMORPG and brought numerous “Quality of Life” adjustments, such as content search, making the gaming experience much more enjoyable.
Although A Realm Reborn is seen as the salvation of FFXIV, it is not very popular among many players. The base game starts slowly and takes a long time to get going. The gameplay of classes at low levels is also not exciting. Consequently, ARR ends up in last place in our survey.
Rank 3: Stormblood
- Release: June 20, 2017
- Votes: 10.07%
This is Stormblood: By the announcement of Stormblood, FFXIV had already established itself as one of the major MMORPGs in the genre.
For the Warriors of Light, the journey now went east. Since the failed version 1.0, the power-hungry empire of Garlemald has repeatedly tried to gain a foothold in Eorzea and subjugate the city-states there. Now the defenders are fighting back and aim to end the empire’s rule in the occupied provinces of Ala Mhigo and Doma. At the forefront of the resistance stands the player character.
While there was no new playable race in Stormblood, players received the two DPS Red Mage and Samurai as new jobs. For the new upgradable weapons, the expansion presented the 4 areas of Eureka, where entirely different laws apply. And hardcore raiders were delighted about the first ultimate raid Bahamut.
Although Stormblood is not lacking in action, it placed second to last in our survey. Some FFXIV players were bothered by the fact that the locations of the expansion constantly shifted between Doma and Ala Mhigo, resulting in a lack of true focus. The Eureka content was also unpopular among many players.
Rank 2: Heavensward
- Release: June 23, 2015
- Votes: 28.3%
This is Heavensward: The first expansion of FFXIV was presented at the very first Fan Festival and marked the beginning of the success story of the MMORPG. While the development team was still unsure if the game could survive during A Realm Reborn, Heavensward reinforced their belief.
After players fall victim to nasty machinations in ARR and are accused of murder, they must flee to the city-state of Ishgard. The nation has been waging a brutal war against the dragon people for 1,000 years, but the war is not as just as the church claims. And so you embark on a journey to uncover the millennia-old lies.
In terms of gameplay, Heavensward introduced a whopping 3 new combat jobs to FFXIV and the new playable race of Au Ra, who fit well with the theme of the expansion with their dragon scales. The raids in Heavensward were split into normal and epic modes, allowing casual players to experience the story.
Due to its tragic story, where you have to endure many losses, Heavensward is very popular among FFXIV fans. Some players have shed tears during the cutscenes, which is why the expansion lands in second place in our survey.
Rank 1: Shadowbringers
- Release: July 2, 2019
- Votes: 57.03%
This is Shadowbringers: After FFXIV established itself as a strong MMORPG, the developers pushed even further with the current expansion Shadowbringers. It has the most dialogues and cutscenes to date in terms of scope and also introduced the first graphical upgrade with the PS5 beta.
In Shadowbringers, players are sent for the first time to another world. In the first fractured world of Hydaelyn, massive elemental imbalance occurred, and the world was flooded with light. Therefore, players must first abandon their role as Warriors of Light and turn to darkness. And for the first time, assistance in saving the world comes from an enemy.
Shadowbringers also introduced two new jobs, but this time there were also new playable races with Hrothgar and Viera. One of the biggest changes was also the ability to travel freely between the servers of a data center and visit friends.
The high stakes, many tragic moments, and plot twists have made it the highest-rated FFXIV expansion on Metacritic, and it is also very popular among MeinMMO readers. With over 50% of all votes, Shadowbringers swept the competition in our poll and takes first place.
Starting from November 23, FFXIV will continue with the next expansion:
Final Fantasy XIV brings new expansion Endwalker – release date and all the information
