Final Fantasy XIV - A Realm Reborn - eine erfolgreiche Wiedergeburt.

The servers bloomed endlessly…

A few months ago we speculated whether Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn would continue to be so successful, after the hype around the game had calmed down a bit. The positive reports just kept coming in at first – reports were constantly flooding in that yet again a milestone in terms of player numbers had been reached and the capacities would need to be increased to cope with the mass influx.

On the one hand, this was certainly due to the fact that the release date in summer 2013 could not have been more favorable. Apart from Neverwinter and maybe Dragon’s Prophet, there were hardly any noteworthy releases in the previous year in the online RPGs. On the other hand, Square Enix also did everything right with the renewed release.

Without regard to financial losses, they completely withdrew the first version (Final Fantasy XIV) from the market, shut down the servers, and improved it for almost 2 years in every respect. They did not want to experience such a fiasco again and put everything on one card – now or never – it was necessary to meet the expectations of the critical community with such a upheaval.

Survived the difficult time after the hype?

More than half a year after the second release, it is now time to draw a preliminary conclusion. Was it despite the initial euphoria just a long drawn-out “one-hit wonder” or did the reincarnation actually lead to the Final Fantasy MMO now being able to take a place in the upper segment of the fiercely competitive market for a longer period of time.

The skepticism is not unfounded. After all, the first version of the game was withdrawn due to many shortcomings, and it should not have gone unnoticed that many other highly praised MMORPGs, after a spectacular start, suffered heavy losses – especially those that have chosen pay-to-play as a business model.

But we don’t want to beat around the bush:

Final Fantasy: A Realm Reborn has reached Olympus.

Maybe not as Zeus, because that is WoW, but Apollo, the god of healing, comes very close – Final Fantasy has completely recovered from its first setback, and the severe wounds were able to heal. With this success, it even surpasses Jesus Christ, because the holy son of God disappeared just 3 days after his resurrection. And unfortunately never returned.

In our article about the best MMORPGs in 2013, we didn’t name FF XIV:ARR for nothing the “surprise of the year”. Surely, the brave step of essentially starting from scratch played a significant role that we wanted to pay respect to. Admittedly, it doesn’t always hit the modern MMO spirit of today in gameplay, and in the West, the unusual Asian style sometimes causes headaches, which is nothing new, but one fact should not be overlooked here: It is just totally coherent in terms of overall concept and apparently gives a lot of players fun. That’s the most important thing, right?

Of course, some blockbusters are coming our way this year, and one simply cannot assess what impact these titles will have, which is why one should mention it as a footnote “under reservation”. However, we think that a loyal fanbase has been formed here and that players especially appreciate the proven features. Furthermore, we are talking about one of the most well-known gaming brands in the world.

1.8 Million Players and PS4 Version

The statement from the sympathetic producer Yoshida, that Final Fantasy XIV: ARR currently has 1.8 million active players, confirms the ongoing upward trend – it is still going up! That is already a very remarkable number that probably few analysts would have predicted. Of course – this MMO is available on multiple platforms, so the numbers need to be looked at a bit differently, yet a higher popularity cannot be denied.

For some time now, Square Enix has also been working on a polished console version – and this does not mean an improved PS3 version, no no, but the debut on the PS4 – with a specially adapted next-gen edition. Apart from DC Universe Online, there is no real MMORPG alternative on the Playstation 4. Another boost is therefore already programmed. It will take several months before the next-gen console versions of The Elder Scrolls Online are released.

The following video briefly summarizes the special features of the PlayStation 4 version:

New game content is secured

With an aggressive update policy, they want to ensure that players remain in the world of Eorzea and thus in Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn. Patch 2.1 – “Eorzea’s Awakening” – has already shown quite well what course the developer is willing to take. The game improvements were almost like an expansion. However, good things take time, and it always takes about 3-4 months before a change comes.

2.2 – “Through the Maelstrom”– continues where 2.1 left off and will likely be released at the end of March. With plenty of new content. You can expect new dungeons, crafting recipes, quests for the state corporations, fishing challenges, and aesthetic hairstyles as well as a brand new storyline and much more.

Is Final Fantasy XIV worth it for me?

If you can answer most points of this checklist with a “yes,” then there’s really nothing standing in the way of a visit:

I am a crafting enthusiast: FF XIV offers true paradise in this regard. Each profession is essentially its own class that you can level up and continually improve with new equipment items and skills. The crafted products are of higher value and not so unimportant for the gameplay.

I like variety in classes: The flexible class and job system is one of the hallmarks of Final Fantasy and allows for many individual play styles. You can even learn and level all base and associated job classes (a further specialization that arises from combining two base classes) on one character without having to create a twink.

I prefer tactical battles and a semi-turn-based combat system: In combat, tactical depth takes center stage. If you prefer an action-packed real-time fight, like in Tera, then you won’t be happy here – because this combat system is considered old-fashioned in comparison.

I am a fan of the Final Fantasy series or at least don’t mind: If you’ve played games in this universe before, you’ll feel at home immediately and meet familiar characters. Those who know FF know that the story can be a bit peculiar and quirky. You should be able to handle that.

Asian influences in the setting are fine by me: You should be aware that this is a Japanese game. While there won’t be overly exaggerated weapons, you will often encounter cute mythical creatures, face exaggerated visual effects, and occasionally wear outfits linked to Asian preferences.

I can play calmly on an international server: Final Fantasy 14 is completely playable in German, but there is no German server. However, the European server “Shiva” is recommended, where most German players have settled. In the group finder, you can also filter by languages when looking for players.

I place high value on good graphics and appropriate atmosphere: The game offers beautiful scenery and is graphically at a very high level. The environments, characters, and even the boss designs definitely show well. Additionally, the MMORPG offers many possibilities for role-playing.

I feel at home in group-oriented online RPGs: To continue the storyline at certain points, completing group tasks is necessary. Are you not a team player in online games or don’t you like interacting with other players? Then Final Fantasy is only partially for you.

I like challenging dungeons and raids as well as fixed roles: The structure of class roles is defined in instances and directed towards the Holy Trinity of tanks, damage dealers, and healers, which are important pillars in combat. The boss fights are spectacularly staged and, depending on the mode, relatively demanding.

PvP is not that important to me: In comparison to some other MMORPGs, the PvP share, with just one arena, is quite low. In the future, according to Yoshida, players can expect something very “big”, but until then, PvP players don’t have much to do.

I don’t need great innovations in quests: Overall, most tasks are rather simple and conventional. While there are dynamic events and several different group contents, essentially it boils down to delivery quests and “kill this and collect that” quests. However, the main story is very exciting to follow.

Cross-platform? Yay! Whether console players or PC gamers: In Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, everyone plays together. This has its advantages and disadvantages, which everyone can imagine.

Perhaps this list has helped you in your decision for or against the game. Otherwise, it is also a commendable change to pass the time until the release of TESO or WildStar! A little note for the start: I found it a bit boring. BUT it is worth sticking with it because it gets significantly better from level 15! At least that was my experience.

P.S.: Those who do not yet own a PC version can find out about a purchase here on Amazon: