Final Fantasy XIV - Review

“Go forth, my child, and be as a beacon of hope for Eorzea and the lands beyond” – A review of Final Fantasy XIV. 

During the fever dream, which was Covid lockdown, I found myself with a problem. A way to socialise with my friends was to game together online, but alas, I was on PS4 whilst my friends were on PC. One day, a good friend of mine casually mentioned a MMORPG he’d been playing, which was cross platform, so we could play together – that game was Final Fantasy XIV.

Final Fantasy XIV, from Square Enix, has emerged as one of the most popular MMORPGs in recent years. Its immersive world, incredible stories and diverse, generally welcoming community makes it a fun, accessible and addictive game. Flexible class systems allow players to switch between roles easily, the character creation is incredibly detailed allowing for creativity and individuality, and the combat system is incredibly well designed and encourages strategy and teamwork.

There are tonnes of dungeons, raids and boss fights to experience, and as the game regularly introduces new content, there’s always a challenge to be found even for the most experienced player. With that said, this was the first MMORPG I had ever played, and I didn’t find it too difficult to get into; early dungeons introduce you to mechanics in a very new user friendly way, and I had an overwhelmingly positive experience with other players who were generally very happy to teach and guide me through whilst I was still learning.

From busy cities to gorgeous wilderness, this game is visually absolutely stunning. There’s something truly adventurous about choosing a mount and flying over vast meadows and forests or riding through a bustling city centre full of people. The music is great too; it truly reflects what’s happening in game, adapting to suit the intensity of each situation you find yourself in, and I genuinely believe this is some of the best music for any video game ever.

I love an interesting story, and Final Fantasy XIV does not disappoint. The story is incredibly well written, and full of complexity and emotional moments. I always find myself heavily invested in the fate of Eorzea, and there are enough plot twists to keep me guessing and entertained. There’s no shortage of side quests or optional dungeons, which is perfect for someone like me who is desperate to explore!

There really is something for everyone in this game. If you enjoy fun, seasonal events, difficult dungeons, roleplaying, casual exploration or exploration for the sake of exploration, you can have all of this on top of the phenomenal story and engaging combat. I know I haven’t criticised anything in this game and honestly, it’s because I can’t. This is a true love letter to one of my favourite games I’ve ever played.

It's been a while now since I took a trip to Eorzea, but shh, can you hear that?

Adventure is calling.

I hope to see you there.

Written by Tam Page

Posted by Mr. Tomney

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