In the fantasy MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV (PC, Playstation 3, Playstation 4), the Heavensward expansion is set to deliver over 50 hours of gameplay. Additionally, there will be 9 major zones and 8 new dungeons. The official launch date is June 23, 2015.
In the new Producer Letter for Final Fantasy XIV, Naoki Yoshida once again brought a truckload of new information. For those used to the secretive nature of most other developers regarding their plans, this is always a real information overload. In casual terms: He spills the information like crazy Cologne locals during Carnival.
A lot was already known about the Heavensward expansion, now Yoshida filled in the gaps:
9 new zones for FF XIV, some double the size of the old ones
- The main quest, the main scenario “The Dragonsong War”, will take about 50 hours at “normal playstyle” if you watch the video sequences and do not significantly shorten the leveling phase
- Square Enix will continue the main quest in the same manner as in the past, with new missions appearing with fresh patches
- 9 new zones will come to Final Fantasy XIV with Heavensward, including the city of Ishgard and the flying islands. They are to be between 50% and 100% larger than the old ones
Flying without restrictions in Heavensward, once you have the license
- The flying mounts will be able to land and take off without restrictions. However, you must first earn the right to fly in each zone.
- It will be possible to fly with the Chocobo as well, as it develops accordingly
- Flying in the old zones from 2.0 is not possible
Plenty to do for all classes and jobs in Final Fantasy XIV, new race to choose
- The Au Ra stands as a new, reptilian race to choose from
- The 3 new jobs (Machinist, Astrologian, and Dark Knight) start at level 30
- “Dark Knight” will use tank gear, the Astrologian will wear healer gear, and the Machinist will slip into Bard equipment
- The level cap raises to 60 and new abilities will come for all jobs
- The new abilities for the jobs cannot be obtained simply through levelling up; quests must be completed for them
- New level 3 limit breaks will be introduced that will be unique for each job and need not be shared with the group
- There will be a lot of new class-specific gear and new tomestones
- Players can “specialize” in 3 crafting jobs, unlocking special abilities, while still being able to level other crafting classes to level 60
- Overall, there is a lot for crafters to do: The level cap also raises to 60, with a bunch of new recipes and plenty to collect, fish, and craft
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8 new dungeons, remember these 3 names: Alexander, Bismarck, Ravena
- 8 new dungeons are coming
- The first raid will go against the robot Alexander, which opens two weeks after the expansion’s launch, followed by the “Savage” mode two weeks later
- There will be two new battles against Primals: Ravena and Bismarck, each with a normal and a hard mode
- A new looting system option, the Lootmaster, is being reintroduced, and Final Fantasy XIV will also get a pure “Greed” mode, where no one can declare “Need”.
… then there’s a PvP map, airships, and much more
- Free companies: Crafting housing and airships; airships are used to explore areas and can be extensively customized in various places; this feature will soon be expanded with additional systems
- A new Frontline PvP map is coming 4 weeks after the official launch (for 6×24 players): The rules will be adjusted based on player feedback, including more dynamics at the strongholds affecting respawn; and there will be new PvP rewards
- The Duty Finder should become significantly more varied and receive new options to tackle content with fewer players (“Challenge Mode”).
- 20 new Triple Triad cards
- In principle, existing “features” will all have equivalents from level 51-60: This is to transfer guildhests, FATEs, retainer ventures, elite monsters, quests, and tokens into the new world
- And DirectX 11 support is coming as well.
