Final Fantasy XIV has now almost 13 years of content and is one of the oldest and most extensive MMORPGs in the world. MeinMMO editor Sophia Weiß understands that the game can seem daunting with its sheer volume of content. But she also knows: Now is the best time to start playing.
I have been playing Final Fantasy XIV since 2016. Back then, I was lured in by an installation CD and the prospect of 30 days of free gaming. I stayed because of half-naked dancing Cat-Boys. This October, I will celebrate my tenth anniversary in the game.
At the same time, I am of course aware that there is almost 13 years of content to get through before seeing the endgame. Final Fantasy XIV is not a sprint, but a marathon. Now is, however, the best time to get started, and there are two very good reasons for that:
Since the last April weekend in 2026, the best expansion of Final Fantasy XIV is free. Anyone who also starts this weekend has enough time to finish everything by the release of the new expansion Evercold. And Evercold is expected to elevate the game to new heights.
Cruise through 6 months free with 6 years of content
The free trial of Final Fantasy XIV has long been one of the most extensive free demos among MMORPGs and constantly makes it into our Top 12 of free MMOs – although the free trial is not actually a standalone game, but merely the light version of a pay-to-play game. Being able to play all the way to level 80 is still a strong argument.
With only a few limitations on the social aspects of the game – you cannot join guilds or trade, for example – the complete story and all combat content are available to you. This includes all dungeons, raids, and even the Fateful fights, the most challenging content in the game. Through a roulette system, earlier content is also always filled with players, even if they should have progressed much further. Accordingly, old content is still relevant.
Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers was released in 2019 and was the start of a well-deserved upward trajectory. The expansion skillfully continues the story begun in the base game and the two previous expansions. It also brought some of the coolest content, such as the alliance raid inspired by the Nier games – including bullet hell.
The combat content becomes really challenging from here, as mentioned by the bullet hell. Many new mechanics are introduced, and the overall combat becomes more dynamic. Shadowbringers is the best expansion of Final Fantasy XIV.
And if you don’t want to deal with other players, you can sit back: Most content can now be completed with NPC companions, and you only see other people wandering around in the overworld.
You can thus play free for six years of content, most of which is really entertaining. If you have always had your eye on Final Fantasy XIV, you now have no excuse. The free trial is not time-limited. This is very convenient as the new expansion is already on the horizon.
Download the Free Trial
- Visit this website: https://freetrial.finalfantasyxiv.com/de/download
- Download the game for your platform
- follow the installation instructions
Important: You need a Square Enix account that does not already have a version of Final Fantasy XIV. From the moment you purchase the game in one way or another, you are required to subscribe. If needed, sign up with a new email address.
9 Months until Evercold – Those who start now will be ready in time
The new expansion Evercold will launch in January 2027. It will likely feature 40 hours of story, several dungeons, boss fights, and raids. A collaboration for the alliance raid with 24 players is already known: In Shadowbringers, it was Yoko Taro’s Nier series; in Evercold, these raids will be inspired by Neon Genesis Evangelion.
As it stands right now, Evercold has a high chance of matching the highs of Shadowbringers. At least on social media, players are very hyped, and MeinMMO editor Alexander Mehrwald is looking forward to the expansion positively:
If you are currently in the story or have never set foot in Eorzea, you should take a close look at the free trial (or the next returning campaign): From May 2026 to January 2027, there are about nine months to catch up at a leisurely pace. Nine months is plenty of time to avoid rushing. So you can relatively comfortably cruise through Eorzea and do everything at your own pace. Until then, Shadowbringers is completely free.
And even if you are completely hooked, playing everything at once and spending money on everything from Endwalker, there are so many contents that can be unlocked throughout the story that there will still be plenty to do after the main part of the game. Here is just a selection:
- Optional dungeons and boss fights
- Crafter and gatherer endgames
- Multiplayer grind content with 48 player dungeons
- Housing
- In-game casino
- Mounts and emotes
- Seasonal quests
- Treasure maps and luck-based dungeons
Final Fantasy XIV is a theme park MMORPG at its finest, and there’s always something exciting, fun, or challenging to do.
A marathon, not a sprint, and the difficult start
As much fun as Final Fantasy XIV can be, there is a catch: completing the main story is mandatory. Unfortunately, it does not maintain a consistent standard. Especially the start with the base game has its lengths, and even the current expansion Dawntrail struggles in the main part.
This is also the reason why I cannot recommend the MMORPG without a “but.” The statement “Work through 30 hours of content, and then it gets really good” doesn’t sit well with everyone who has a full schedule.
Despite all the calls for a new starting point closer to the endgame, as WoW does, it seems that this feature will not be available with Evercold either. This means every player must work through the complete game or spend real money.
Without my teammates, I probably would have never made it out of the base game back then. Today I know how many thousands of hours of fun awaited me behind it. But I didn’t know that in 2016 when I installed the game and was overwhelmed by tedious fetch quests.
Of course, not everyone has to find the story of the base game or Dawntrail strange, like I did. For others, the story may be completely irrelevant. However, I would not recommend ignoring the story in a game celebrated for its narrative. But everyone does as they please.
With this, you are definitely warned, and I have fulfilled my duty to you.
If you want more insights into Final Fantasy XIV, we have a deep dive for you on our YouTube channel:
Anyone who delves into Final Fantasy XIV will find very good and free content with the free trial that will keep you busy for a long time. Download it, check it out, and give the game a chance up to the first expansion Heavensward.
I promise, then it really gets good. (You see what I did there, right?)
While I have issues with Dawntrail and am crawling through it at a snail’s pace, my editorial colleague Alexander Mehrwald has already completed everything, including the latest patch. Right at release, he jumped into the new alliance raid and brought his impressions back: I briefly played the new raid in FF14 during a break, and now I want more
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