Final Fantasy 14launched its biggest expansion to date inEndwalkerlast year, doubling its player population and overexerting its server capacity so much that it had to suspend the Free Trial service until February 23rd. Despite dealing with the ongoing pandemic, theFinal Fantasy 14team delivered a worthy follow-up toShadowbringers, wrapping up the Hydaelyn and Zodiark saga with critical acclaim.
After completing themain scenario quests inEndwalker, and commencing their journey in Asphodelos, players were left wondering where the game would go next. Emet-Selch’s cryptic hints of places and ideas yet unexplored inFinal Fantasy 14’slore and the promise of starting a completely new adventure sparked the imagination of many fans. They were in the dark, though, more so than ever before. February 18’s Letter from the Producer was the first glimpse into that great unknown and the answer of whatFinal Fantasy 14’sfuture is going to be moving forward.
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The Future of Group Content in Final Fantasy 14
Following a similar expansion format to its predecessors,Endwalkerwill introduce the first wing of its Alliance raid in 6.1 – dubbed “Myths of the Realm” – with a storyline that will center around unearthing themysteries of the Twelve. Consequently, the next wing of Pandaemonium will open in 6.2, with its conclusion arriving in 6.4. Perhaps the more interesting addition to the repertoire of duties inFinal Fantasy 14, however, is a new difficulty level for four-man content in the form of Criterion dungeons.
Extreme trials and Savage raids represent an opportunity forplayers inFinal Fantasy 14to challenge themselves in difficult content designed around 8-man groups or Full Parties, but up until now, there has been no such equivalent for Light Parties. The addition of Criterion dungeons has been billed as a means to remedy that – to fulfill the growing demand inFinal Fantasy 14’scommunity for harder 4-man content. Not much is known about Criterion dungeons yet, but the first of them will be arriving in 6.2 this summer, with two more slated for 6.4 and 6.5.
In an effort to appeaseFinal Fantasyfans who may not be used to grouping with others, and to better ease them into the MMO experience, the developers are also expanding theTrust system introduced inShadowbringersto cover all Main Story Scenario duties, with this Herculean effort arriving across several patches. Base duties fromA Realm Rebornwill be covered in 6.1, with its patches and baseHeavensward, as well as theHeavenswardpatches being covered in 6.2 and 6.3, respectively.
Following the launch of 6.1, the Cape Westwind trial and the Lahabrea fight from Praetorium will become solo duties, with Praetorium and Castrum Meridianum becoming 4-man dungeons, and the Ultima Weapon becoming an 8-man trial. It will mark the end of theinfamous Main Scenario Rouletteand will truly kick off a new era of group content inFinal Fantasy 14.
The Future of Questing, Crafting, and Housing in Final Fantasy 14
While the developers were tight-lipped about the main story ofEndwalker’spatches, they have teased the return of fan-favorite Hildibrand Manderville, who will be receiving a new questline starting with 6.1 in April. In addition to Hildibrand, the ruthless bookkeeper of the Scions and accountant genius Tataru Taru will also receive her own questline to shine.
With the launch of 6.1, crafters will be able to undertake custom deliveries inOld Sharlayanby reporting to Alphinaud and Alisaie’s mother, Amelliance. Arkasodara beast tribe dailies will also have their debut in April, and new crafting gear is expected to arrive with the patch as well.
The much-anticipatedFinal Fantasy 14housing district of Empyreum, located in the Holy See of Ishgard, will open its doors with 6.1 – allowing players to take their bid at owning their very own cottage, house, or manor in the snow-capped mountains of Coerthas.
Perhaps in a similar vein to housing, 6.2 will introduce Island Sanctuaries, which are speculated to be a player’s private resort from the troubles that plague Etheirys, allowing them to grow crops and interact with their minions in an idyllic getaway. The feature will not be abandoned at launch, and will instead receive substantial updates across 6.3, 6.4, and 6.5.
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The Quality of Life in Final Fantasy 14
The developers were quick to tease an expansion to the game’s Glamour system, which allows players to overwrite the appearance of their equipped items into those more to their liking. In April, they can expect to see the number of glamour plates expanded (likely to 20), with more substantial changes slated for the latter patches ofEndwalker.
Female Hrothgar are still being worked on, and despite the developers being aware of the possibility that they might not bethe most popular race inFinal Fantasy 14, they have spared no expense in getting them finished properly and on time. Palace of the Dead and Heaven-on-High fans can rejoice, as 6.3 will also see the return of deep dungeons toFinal Fantasy 14, which took an unexpected pause inShadowbringers– offering the Bozjan Southern Front in its stead.
Last, but certainly not least, the developers teased a completegraphical overhaul forFinal Fantasy 14that’s due to arrive with the next expansion pack in 7.0 – increasing the visual fidelity of the game and bringing it closer to modern RPG titles. Needless to say, there’s a lot in store for fans of the game. For those still on the fence about givingFinal Fantasy 14a try, the return of Free Trial will let them see if Eorzea is a land they might call home at their own pace.
Final Fantasy 14is available now on PC, PS4, and PS5.
