Even though 2023 was an eventful time forFinal Fantasy 14, 2024 surpassed that and saw the launch of a new expansion and long-overdue technical upgrades to Square Enix’s critically acclaimed MMORPG. AlthoughEndwalkerclosed the book on one major saga ofFinal Fantasy 14,Dawntrailwas the first chapter in a brand-new tale that will take players to parts of Etheirys and beyond that have not been seen before.
With the launch ofFinal Fantasy 14’s fifth expansion came a slew of changes to the game. Though some changes are obvious at face value, othersfocused on improving the quality of life forFF14players. Like the environments of the continent of Tural,Final Fantasy 14is a diverse and colorful experience that uses player feedback to shape how things will go.Final Fantasy 14also launched on Xbox Series X/S and laid the groundwork for a Mobile version, expanding its already impressive reach and ensuring its future potential. That said, 2024 saw some great changes come to the game that are all worthy of celebration.
The 7.0 Graphics Update
Arguably, the biggest change made this year inFinal Fantasy 14was the game’s first major graphical overhaul. This sweeping update changed character models, environmental textures, and lighting. As a result, theDawntrailgraphics update caused the minimum and recommended system requirements on Windows to go up, butFinal Fantasy 14also introduced two upscaling options for PC players: AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) and Nvidia’s Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS).
Final Fantasy 14has also considered player feedback with each major update so far, as character models continued to receive updates based on those reports. In Patches 7.0 and 7.1,players were offered free Fantasia potionsthat can change a character’s appearance, including their race and gender. Given that Fantasia potions are usually sold on theFinal Fantasy 14Online Store for $10, a free offer from Square Enix is hard to pass up.
The 7.1 Housing Interior Updates
Final Fantasy 14’s housing system remains a lucrative endeavorfor players and free companies, andDawntrailsaw some changes that players can utilize. With each major content update, new indoor and outdoor furnishings are added to the growing list of things players can collect. However, Patch 7.1 gave housing enthusiasts a new option for decorating their virtual homes, as the interior wallpapers and frameworks can be swapped for a design that is different from the housing district that the home is located in. For example, a house in the Lavender Beds could now have the interior of a home from the Shirogane district or the Empyreum instead.
Additionally, a minimalist design was added in the Crossroads update that removed some columns located throughout each story.Final Fantasy 14’s development team also revealed during the 2024 Tokyo Game Show that it plans to give players the option to change the interior’s size to something bigger, such as giving a medium house a large indoor space. While this feature is slated for 2025,Final Fantasy 14players can start saving their Gil ahead of time.
Dawntrail and New Main Story Direction
Initially billed as a “summer vacation” of sorts,Dawntrailtook players to the shores of Tural, the western continent of Etheirys. Also known as the New World, Tural is split into the tropical Yok Tural to the south and the mysterious Xak Tural to the north.Tural took inspiration from the real-world Americas, with the beaches of Tuliyollal drawing upon the sights and sounds of countries like Mexico and Brazil. By contrast, the otherworldly, cyberpunk streets of Solution Nine offer an experience unlike anything seen before inFinal Fantasy 14. Although the shift in environments and tone defined each half ofDawntrail’s main story in Patch 7.0, the ensuing Patch 7.1 sought to tie up loose ends across the continent, including settling affairs in Solution Nine.
Though some of Tural’s mysteries remain unsolved, players must wait for upcoming content patches in 2025 to see the story ofDawntrailto its conclusion. Where things head afterDawntrailremains to be seen, but outstanding locations like the continent of Meracydia may still be on the horizon for players to explore in upcoming expansions.
Dawntrail’s New Raids and Rewards
From the start of the expansion,Dawntrail’s 4-player dungeons demanded more coordination and awareness than before. This mentality was extended into its 8-player raids and trials. In Patch 7.01, the doors to The Arcadion raid were open for all challengers, starting with the Light-Heavyweight tier. Future patches will allow players to take on the Arcadion’s Cruiserweight and Heavyweight divisions. Months after The Arcadion opened, Patch 7.11 added Futures Rewritten (Ultimate), an 8-player gauntlet based on the Eden raid series fromShadowbringers. Along with 8-player content, groups of 24 players were treated to two different challenges. Patch 7.1 sawthe release of Jeuno: The First Walk, the opening raid of a highly-anticipated crossover series withFinal Fantasy 11, dubbed Echoes of Vana’diel.
However, another difficulty level called the Chaotic Alliance Raid offered players a different challenge. The first of these new raids was dubbed The Cloud of Darkness (Chaotic). Although players previously fought the Cloud of Darkness inA Realm Reborn’s World of Darkness raid, the new Chaotic difficulty gave players more to chew on. In response to player feedback over rewards feeling lacking,Final Fantasy 14’s developers made The Cloud of Darkness (Chaotic) farmable from the start, as players were incentivized to help others clear it while earning rewards themselves.
The Final Fantasy 16 Crossover Event
In the months leading up toDawntrail,Final Fantasy 14players were treated to a long-anticipated crossover event with Creative Studio 3’s other major project,Final Fantasy 16. The limited-time event saw the Warrior of Light and the Wandering Minstrel help out a strange swordsman who had arrived in Eorzea without any recollection of events prior. The man turned out to be none other thanFinal Fantasy 16’s lead protagonist, Clive Rosfield. Clive joined the Warrior as they trekked across the city-states of Ul’dah and Gridania to seek help with his lost memories.
Under the Minstrel’s guidance, the Warrior takes part in a climactic battle in Clive’s mind against an imaginary shade of Ifrit, who takes the form ofFF16’s Eikon of Fire. After he emerged victorious and remembered his place as the Dominant of Ifrit, Clive was suddenly joined by Torgal, his wolf companion. With his friend leading the way, Clive and Torgal returned to Valisthea, as the Warrior and the Minstrel bid them farewell. TheFinal Fantasy 16event has since concluded, so only time will tellwhenFinal Fantasy 14will host crossover eventswith other games.
New Hall of the Novice Challenges
The Crossroads update also added something new forFinal Fantasy 14newcomers and returning players, as the Hall of the Novice added two new challenges. These challenges were made to teach players some battle mechanics that have become prevalent in expansion content, such as stack markers, tankbusters, and tethers. The changes were made in response to player feedback, with some voicing concerns that the game did a poor job of explaining stack markers to new players. This often results in less experienced players panicking and running away from the group and getting knocked out, rather than sharing the damage among the group.
Although other mechanics exist that are not covered by the Hall of the Novice, the additional content is the Hall’s first major update since its launch inHeavensward’s Patch 3.2. Players who complete the new Hall of the Novice challenges will earn the Neophyte’s Ring, which grants bonus experience points to Jobs that are level 60 and below. This can be stacked with other accessories that boost experience point gains, so players can quicklyget up to speed on different Jobs in Patch 7.1and beyond.
The Introduction of Female Hrothgar
In tandem with player characters getting some additional attention, the Female Hrothgar finally arrived five years after their Male counterparts were added during theShadowbringersexpansion. The tall, leonine race is based on the Ronso fromFinal Fantasy 10, with the playable character Kimahri Ronso serving as one of Yuna’s Guardians on her Summoner’s Pilgrimage.
The release of the Female Hrothgar was headlined by the arrival of the main story character Wuk Lamat. As a young, headstrong warrior who cares for her people,Wuk Lamat was just one part ofDawntrail’s diverse cast. However, the story of Wuk Lamat remains unfinished as of Patch 7.1, and subsequent updates should flesh it out. Barring any changes from the development team, the Female Hrothgar will likely be the last playable race inFinal Fantasy 14.
New Jobs - Viper and Pictomancer
Alongside raising the level cap to 100,Dawntrailintroduced two different DPS jobs for players to try out: the Viper and the Pictomancer. As the poster Job forDawntrail, the Viper is an agile melee DPS who wields a pair of one-handed swords known as twinfangs. The Viper can also combine their two swords into a single glaive for additional firepower. Like the Reaper before it, the Viper is considered an original Job inFinal Fantasy 14.
By comparison, Creative Studio 3 hearkened back toFinal Fantasy 6and chosethe Pictomancer as the latest caster DPS inFinal Fantasy 14. Drawing inspiration fromFF6’s Relm Arrowny, the Pictomancer utilizes its magic paintbrush and endless imagination to deal damage from afar and support its teammates. Although it lacks a Resurrection spell, the Pictomancer’s colorful magic and raid utility has made it an instant fan favorite. Other Jobs such as Dragoon, Astrologian, Ninja, Black Mage, and Monk received substantial changes throughoutDawntrailin response to player feedback, with more changes coming in subsequent content updates.
The 7.1 PVP Rework and Crystalline Conflict Map Updates
Though PVP aficionados had to wait a while for some major changes to be made,Final Fantasy 14Patch 7.1 saw sweeping changes to Frontline, Crystalline Conflict, and Rival Wings. Aside from Viper and Pictomancer, each Job saw their PVP kits changed with the addition and removal of certain abilities. The Red Mage and Black Mage received complete overhauls, and Jobs such as Dragoon and Dark Knight were nerfed in Frontline mode. Patch 7.1 also made Guard more responsive, and abilities like the Warrior’s Primal Rend were adjusted to have its stun effect delivered at the animation’s endpoint, rather than when the ability is immediately used.
Rival Wings' vehicles and minions were also adjusted, and Crystalline Conflict’s ranked mode was also changed to only be active at one Data Center per continent, such as the Primal Data Center in North America. The Red Sands and Cloud Nine maps also received new lanes and line-of-sight objects, which can help or hinder players during a team fight.
Two Dye Channels and Glamour System Improvements
Dawntrailalso saw the game’s touted glamour and dye systems receive some attention. Various weapons and armor weregiven a second dye channel, greatly increasing players' options to customize their character’s wardrobes, including Job artifact armor from past expansions. Though not every dyeable piece of glamour has a second dye channel as of Patch 7.1, some items from theFinal Fantasy 14Online Store that were previously not dyeable, such as Gaia’s Attire, were given two dye channels in the Crossroads update. However, adding a second dye channel was not Square Enix’s only change to improve the game’s glamour.
A new cosmetic eyewear slot was also added to character sheets, allowing players to wear headgear and spectacles simultaneously. Eyewear can be collected from different vendors or traded on the market board, and more varieties will be added over time. Additionally, Patch 7.1 introduced the Glamour Outfit system, which allowedFinal Fantasy 14players to organize level 1 glamours and save space in the Glamour Dresser.
Final Fantasy 14
WHERE TO PLAY
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