A new trailer has now revealed the 9 announced jobs for the mobile version of Final Fantasy XIV for the first time. This shows significant differences compared to the PC and console versions of the popular MMORPG.
What can be seen in the trailer? The video shows – similar to the job trailers known from the original Final Fantasy XIV – the 9 jobs that will be available in the mobile version:
- Warrior (Defender)
- Paladin (Defender)
- Bard (Physical Ranged Damage Dealer)
- Black Mage (Magical Ranged Damage Dealer)
- Summoner (Magical Ranged Damage Dealer)
- Monk (Melee Damage Dealer)
- Dragoon (Melee Damage Dealer)
- Scholar (Healer)
- White Mage (Healer)
In the process, you can see each of the jobs in action, and the appropriate animations are shown for each ability. So there are two tanks, two healers, and a total of five damage dealers to choose from. Thus, for almost every role, there is an alternative – only the physical ranged damage dealers must settle for the Bard due to lack of options.
Like FF14, but more compact?
What makes the mobile version different? Anyone who is already familiar with the skills of the counterparts from Final Fantasy XIV will probably recognize the classes shown in the video – only, there are much fewer of them than in the current state of the MMORPG.
Each job seems to have a basic attack in the mobile version (large transparent circle) and brings at least six of the abilities known from the main game (smaller circles around it). Typical buffs and debuffs also seem to be present again, displayed above the character’s health points.
Abilities that would typically complement or transform in combos seem to be displayed in the mobile version via additional, smaller buttons based on the situation. The job bars will also be simplified.
Some situational combos will be displayed in additional buttons on the screen when you have to make a decision within a combo (as seen with the Monk, around minute 1:55). Essentially, the jobs seem to function similarly to how you already know them, just in a more compact version, with a limited ability set.
Graphically, the overall presentation in the game is impressive – at least considering that it is a mobile game and therefore faces limited capabilities. The signature of the original is definitely recognizable. However, the question arises as to how the finished game will present itself in its entirety and what possibilities will allow players to personalize their experience.
What hints are there for additional gameplay elements? Looking closely at the trailer, various buttons can be seen that indicate specific functions. For example, the arrow in the upper right corner seems to indicate the type of camera control. A small button next to the abilities indicates the possibility to target individual enemies and fix abilities on them.
At the bottom left, there is a button for chat and directly next to it the symbol for emotes. A circle featuring a Chocobo is depicted a bit above, indicating that you can also look forward to riding mounts. An arrow above likely serves to open the menu.
In a brief interview, producer and director Naoki Yoshida recently confirmed that the mobile version of Final Fantasy XIV will skip an annoying mechanic often found in mobile games: Final Fantasy XIV is coming to mobile – Now the head of the MMORPG says exactly what players want to hear
