The MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV (FFXIV) has announced its next major expansion called Endwalker for fall 2021. For new players, now is the perfect time to get into the game. In this article, we reveal the reasons why.
What is Final Fantasy XIV? The game from the popular Final Fantasy franchise is a classic theme park MMORPG with a tab-targeting combat system and global cooldowns.
It is one of the few MMORPGs still using a subscription model. For €10.99 a month, players receive major content updates every 3 to 4 months with new content.
As is the case with Final Fantasy games, it places a lot of emphasis on the story, which has been told continuously for 10 years. Fans of PvE and creative content will also get their money’s worth in Final Fantasy XIV. The game is bursting with all kinds of content options that have accumulated over the many years of operation in regular updates:
- There are classic dungeons for 4 to 8 players
- Raids designed for either 8 or 24 players
- Fantastically staged boss fights called Trials for 8 players
- A big photo mode called /gpose, around which a whole community has formed that creates cool screenshots
- A housing system, where players can unleash their creativity in designing
- For collectors, there are over 150 mounts, over 400 companions, and over 2,500 achievements to chase for their collection
And at every corner, fans of Square Enix games will discover elements that they will recognize immediately. In FFXIV, the developers shamelessly exploit nostalgia and have packed the game with characters and enemies from previous installments in the series, as well as crossovers like Nier Automata.
With the upcoming add-on Endwalker in fall 2021, the developers aim to conclude the storyline in FFXIV revolving around the gods Hydaelyn and Zodiark with a big bang.
I believe it’s the perfect time to get into the MMORPG to experience the finale live, and I will list the reasons for that.
The add-on is coming – Secure your front-row seats
In February, FFXIV announced their newest add-on Endwalker. It will be the grand conclusion, the crowning of a story that the MMORPG has been continuously telling for 10 years. Accordingly, many fans are incredibly excited to see how this storyline unfolds, which is about nothing less than the end of the world.
Newcomers have a unique opportunity here: Since there are at least 5 months until the release of the add-on, you now have plenty of time to get into the MMORPG.
You can experience the whole story, which others had to wait for months and years, all in one go and be ready for the grand finale with popcorn and a beer by the time it releases.
At the same time, however, a new era begins afterward, a new beginning, as the MMORPG’s director, Naoki Yoshida, explained. The developers will start a fresh storyline that is disconnected from the current events in the game, which you can begin alongside veteran players on equal footing.
There are also other reasons why the entry point has never been easier.
Trial version offers a lot of content for free
As one of the established MMORPGs on the market, FFXIV has been growing year by year. From the reports to investors, it can be gathered that Square Enix’s MMO branch generates high profits thanks to the game.
And there is also a lot of activity and fresh blood in cities and content in the game. One of the main reasons for this is the new free trial version, which was introduced last year.
Whereas before you could only play up to level 35 and thus only seen very little of the game, the new max level is 60. If you want, you can play the entire scenario of the base game “A Realm Reborn” and the first add-on “Heavensward”, with all its content, completely free of charge and without time restrictions.
That’s hundreds of hours of content that give you a good opportunity to thoroughly test the game before investing money. Although this content is already quite old, it is still being done daily by veterans, so you don’t have to worry about not making progress because certain content is dead.
The only limitation of the trial version relates to the social features of FFXIV. For example, you won’t be able to join a Free Company (Guild) or whisper to other players.
However, there is the rookie chat, where you will be taken under the wings of mentors. It is open to all languages, and experienced players will answer all your questions, so don’t hesitate to ask them.
All information about the free trial version can be found here:
The much-criticized entry has been made easier
One of the main criticisms of FFXIV has always been that getting into the game is incredibly slow. The main story is mandatory in the game, and you have to play through the quests before reaching the endgame, unless you pay for skip options of course.
This hurdle has become slightly easier since last year. The developers took a big pair of scissors over the quest lines of the base game “A Realm Reborn” and removed everything that was not relevant to the story like annoying fetch quests.
The remaining quests received a revision that has also made them shorter and more concise. The amount of grind has been reduced, and some tasks were cut.
At the same time, however, all important information that forms the foundation of the story of FFXIV has remained in the game. So, luckily, you don’t have to run around as much as players before you did.
The same treatment is planned for the expansions Heavensward and Stormblood as well. In general, your journey through the game is supposed to become more pleasant. When this will happen is still unknown.
You can easily catch up with the veterans
A big concern for players considering diving into such an old MMORPG as FFXIV is: “Will I even be able to catch up with the others?”
In fact, in FFXIV, it’s just a matter of time. The MMORPG has special catch-up mechanics in place that allow you to make significant leaps in your item level and eventually stand on the same gear level as the raiders.
The main story quest is the red thread that guides you through the game to the endgame. Along the way, you receive gear packages at regular intervals that are intended to bring you roughly up to the current level.
Once you reach the maximum level of 80 and have completed the Shadowbringers story, you have several sources from which you can obtain gear:
- In dungeons, you can farm green gear, which can be used as a transitional solution until you get something better
- In dungeons, you can also farm Allagan stones, a special currency in FFXIV. You can exchange these with NPCs for strong armor.
- In Eden and Nier raids, you can acquire blue gear that greatly boosts your item level. These raids don’t take long, are easy to complete, and are well-suited for farming gear (with the exception of Eden epic).
- At the market board, there are armors that, while not at the highest item level, bring you very close to it.
The current highest item level is 530. Many raiders reached it months ago by farming the hard epic raids. With patch 5.5, even casual players can upgrade their gear to this level by completing the Nier raids and obtaining upgrade materials.
The item level will not be increased until the launch of Endwalker, so you have several months to farm. This ensures that most players start the new add-on at a somewhat equal item level, and new players are not at a disadvantage.
PS5 version is coming and makes everything prettier (gradually)
With patch 5.5 on April 13, the beta test of the PS5 version of FFXIV started. The beta is open to everyone and covers all content of the free trial version, which goes up to level 60. The main features of the PS5 version are:
- Higher resolutions: In 4K (2160p) / WQHD (1440p) / Full HD (1080p).
- Better performance: The resolutions WQHD (1440p) and Full HD (1080p) run at 60 FPS. In 4K, the frame rate should be around 40 FPS.
- Sharp UI with new high-resolution icons
- Shorter loading times thanks to the PS5’s SSD
- Support for the DualSense controller
- 3D audio
The beta phase will last as long as it takes to address all issues. Once that is done, the developers are aiming for a quick release.
Even more importantly, however, is the announcement the developers made in an interview (via PlayStation Blog). The PS5 version is the first step in a series of graphical upgrades that FFXIV will receive.
Lead Project Manager Shoichi Matsuzawa announced that the in-game textures of FFXIV are set to receive an upgrade. Since the MMORPG is now nearly 10 years old, it cannot keep up graphically with newer titles like Black Desert or Swords of Legends.
However, if FFXIV wants to continue running for many years and attract new players, a graphical update will eventually be necessary. According to Matsuzawa, this is a very challenging process that requires a lot of planning, but the PS5 version has now laid the groundwork for it.
So if you are among the lucky owners of a PS5, you can start playing there directly and experience Endwalker right on the new Sony console.
After the add-on is before the add-on
What comes with Endwalker: The contents of the expansion are structured according to the classic pattern as was already the case with its predecessors. Players will receive a major update that will bring a lot of new features to the MMORPG.
Of course, the main focus here is the main story of the game, whose first storyline arc about the gods Hydaelyn and Zodiark will be concluded in Endwalker. Players will travel to the moon to confront their arch-enemy there alongside friendly NPCs.
Currently, on the list besides the story quests are also:
- New large areas like Garlemald, Radz-at-Han, and the moon
- Two new jobs: the healer Sage and an yet unknown melee DPS
- Max level will be raised from 80 to 90
- Existing jobs will be revised and receive new skills
- New dungeons and the raid Pandaemonium
- New housing area Ishgard, which the players built themselves in Shadowbringers
- New major casual content called Island Sanctuary, reminiscent of a kind of Animal Crossing or Stardew Valley
After the add-on, players will continue with updates that are expected to appear in the usual rhythm of 3-4 months.
The story quests that will be released with patches 6.1, etc., will also open a new chapter for the MMORPG. It will begin a new story that will be as fresh for new players as it will be for veterans of FFXIV.
Content for at least 3 more years
What does the distant future bring? The developers have not revealed exactly how the game will proceed after the release of Endwalker. Director Yoshida has only provided vague hints and comments about how it will be a new beginning with a new story and new characters.
But where in the world of FFXIV it will take the players is still unknown. We also do not know in what form the new content will come. So, whether another very long storyline will begin or whether the developers will prefer shorter ones.
What is known, however, is that Square Enix still has many plans for the MMORPG.
Due to the high revenue generated by the game in recent years, Yoshida predicts that FFXIV will continue to receive new content at least until 2024.
You don’t have to worry about stepping into an MMORPG that will be taken offline next year.
I expect great things from Endwalker
As someone who has invested over 800 days of playtime in FFXIV, I have watched the MMORPG unfold firsthand. The developers have grown from their first, sometimes somewhat clumsy attempts to design a boss fight or storyline with nearly every patch.
The mechanics have become trickier and more varied, and the writing and voice acting have noticeably improved with each add-on. Accordingly, my expectations for Endwalker are very high. After all, the developers are concluding a 10-year-long story that has become very dear to myself and many others, so it better happen with fireworks, champagne, and rock’n’roll.
But I do not see these 10 years as a hindrance for newcomers. On the contrary. I read almost every day on reddit, social media, forums, and in-game about the experiences of new players who have been captivated by FFXIV. They often sound completely surprised by it themselves. Based on this experience, I believe it’s definitely not too late to start with the game.
Right now, as optimal conditions for a new beginning exist, I would recommend that any J-RPG and MMORPG fan try out the trial version. It costs you nothing, has no commitments, and who knows, maybe we’ll see each other more often in Eorzea afterward.
Irina Moritz
Community Manager and FFXIV expert at MeinMMO
The same treatment is planned for the expansions Heavensward and Stormblood as well. In general, your journey through the game is supposed to become more pleasant. When this will happen is still unknown.
You can easily catch up with the veterans
A big concern for players considering diving into such an old MMORPG as FFXIV is: “Will I even be able to catch up with the others?”
In fact, in FFXIV, it’s just a matter of time. The MMORPG has special catch-up mechanics in place that allow you to make significant leaps in your item level and eventually stand on the same gear level as the raiders.
The main story quest is the red thread that guides you through the game to the endgame. Along the way, you receive gear packages at regular intervals that are intended to bring you roughly up to the current level.
Once you reach the maximum level of 80 and have completed the Shadowbringers story, you have several sources from which you can obtain gear:
- In dungeons, you can farm green gear, which can be used as a transitional solution until you get something better
- In dungeons, you can also farm Allagan stones, a special currency in FFXIV. You can exchange these with NPCs for strong armor.
- In Eden and Nier raids, you can acquire blue gear that greatly boosts your item level. These raids don’t take long, are easy to complete, and are well-suited for farming gear (with the exception of Eden epic).
- At the market board, there are armors that, while not at the highest item level, bring you very close to it.
The current highest item level is 530. Many raiders reached it months ago by farming the hard epic raids. With patch 5.5, even casual players can upgrade their gear to this level by completing the Nier raids and obtaining upgrade materials.
The item level will not be increased until the launch of Endwalker, so you have several months to farm. This ensures that most players start the new add-on at a somewhat equal item level, and new players are not at a disadvantage.
PS5 version is coming and makes everything prettier (gradually)
With patch 5.5 on April 13, the beta test of the PS5 version of FFXIV started. The beta is open to everyone and covers all content of the free trial version, which goes up to level 60. The main features of the PS5 version are:
- Higher resolutions: In 4K (2160p) / WQHD (1440p) / Full HD (1080p).
- Better performance: The resolutions WQHD (1440p) and Full HD (1080p) run at 60 FPS. In 4K, the frame rate should be around 40 FPS.
- Sharp UI with new high-resolution icons
- Shorter loading times thanks to the PS5’s SSD
- Support for the DualSense controller
- 3D audio
The beta phase will last as long as it takes to address all issues. Once that is done, the developers are aiming for a quick release.
Even more importantly, however, is the announcement the developers made in an interview (via PlayStation Blog). The PS5 version is the first step in a series of graphical upgrades that FFXIV will receive.
Lead Project Manager Shoichi Matsuzawa announced that the in-game textures of FFXIV are set to receive an upgrade. Since the MMORPG is now nearly 10 years old, it cannot keep up graphically with newer titles like Black Desert or Swords of Legends.
However, if FFXIV wants to continue running for many years and attract new players, a graphical update will eventually be necessary. According to Matsuzawa, this is a very challenging process that requires a lot of planning, but the PS5 version has now laid the groundwork for it.
So if you are among the lucky owners of a PS5, you can start playing there directly and experience Endwalker right on the new Sony console.
After the add-on is before the add-on
What comes with Endwalker: The contents of the expansion are structured according to the classic pattern as was already the case with its predecessors. Players will receive a major update that will bring a lot of new features to the MMORPG.
Of course, the main focus here is the main story of the game, whose first storyline arc about the gods Hydaelyn and Zodiark will be concluded in Endwalker. Players will travel to the moon to confront their arch-enemy there alongside friendly NPCs.
Currently, on the list besides the story quests are also:
- New large areas like Garlemald, Radz-at-Han, and the moon
- Two new jobs: the healer Sage and an yet unknown melee DPS
- Max level will be raised from 80 to 90
- Existing jobs will be revised and receive new skills
- New dungeons and the raid Pandaemonium
- New housing area Ishgard, which the players built themselves in Shadowbringers
- New major casual content called Island Sanctuary, reminiscent of a kind of Animal Crossing or Stardew Valley
After the add-on, players will continue with updates that are expected to appear in the usual rhythm of 3-4 months.
The story quests that will be released with patches 6.1, etc., will also open a new chapter for the MMORPG. It will begin a new story that will be as fresh for new players as it will be for veterans of FFXIV.
Content for at least 3 more years
What does the distant future bring? The developers have not revealed exactly how the game will proceed after the release of Endwalker. Director Yoshida has only provided vague hints and comments about how it will be a new beginning with a new story and new characters.
But where in the world of FFXIV it will take the players is still unknown. We also do not know in what form the new content will come. So, whether another very long storyline will begin or whether the developers will prefer shorter ones.
What is known, however, is that Square Enix still has many plans for the MMORPG.
Due to the high revenue generated by the game in recent years, Yoshida predicts that FFXIV will continue to receive new content at least until 2024.
You don’t have to worry about stepping into an MMORPG that will be taken offline next year.
I expect great things from Endwalker
As someone who has invested over 800 days of playtime in FFXIV, I have watched the MMORPG unfold firsthand. The developers have grown from their first, sometimes somewhat clumsy attempts to design a boss fight or storyline with nearly every patch.
The mechanics have become trickier and more varied, and the writing and voice acting have noticeably improved with each add-on. Accordingly, my expectations for Endwalker are very high. After all, the developers are concluding a 10-year-long story that has become very dear to myself and many others, so it better happen with fireworks, champagne, and rock’n’roll.
But I do not see these 10 years as a hindrance for newcomers. On the contrary. I read almost every day on reddit, social media, forums, and in-game about the experiences of new players who have been captivated by FFXIV. They often sound completely surprised by it themselves. Based on this experience, I believe it’s definitely not too late to start with the game.
Right now, as optimal conditions for a new beginning exist, I would recommend that any J-RPG and MMORPG fan try out the trial version. It costs you nothing, has no commitments, and who knows, maybe we’ll see each other more often in Eorzea afterward.
Irina Moritz
Community Manager and FFXIV expert at MeinMMO
