Developer: Square Enix
Publisher: Square Enix
Release Date: April 14, 2014
Platform: PS4, PS3, PC
Genre: MMORPG
MSRP: $59.99
An Epic World…Reborn
With Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, Square Enix has molded an incredible MMORPG*adventure that melds charm and whimsy with deep, sprawling high fantasy. Bedecked with a radiance that shines with a deep understanding of what gamers are looking for in MMO’s, Square Enix*whisks players to a mythical world full of magic and–more importantly–extremely competent game mechanics to deliver a vivid experience you won’t soon forget.
The studio’s incredible dedication is clearly seen throughout the game–from the breathtaking environments to the colorful eye-catching garb of the NPC’s, every moment gleams with resplendent radiance. Fashioning a MMORPG is no small feat, and Final Fantasy XIV: ARR delivers on all fronts of the genre whilst going above and beyond in many respects.
This new entrant easily defines the word epic, melding the franchise’s striking visual flair with an intricately weaved sword-and-sorcery tale embellished on a grand scale. Securing the game as a MMO means a near-infinite stream of updated content; new quests, new stories, and of course new adventures, effectively furthering the scope and grandiosity of the game itself.
Now let us embark on our journey, fellow Adventurer, for the Mothercrystal calls…
The Crystal’s Call: Story & Plot
The game takes place five years after the events of the original Final Fantasy XIV; Bahamut, the primal dragon, was released from his prison inside an*artificial moon, igniting the world of Eorzea afire with chaos and destruction. Bahamut’s release heralded the Seventh Umbral Era, which foretold a new era of darkness and danger.
As Eorzea recovers from the devastation, a lone adventurer is tapped by the Mothercrystal, an all-encompassing deity of creation, to save Hydaelyn from certain evils that threaten the land.
These evils manifest in the Calamity, a vile, spreading blight that warps nature and upends the natural order instilled by the Primals, as well as the cruel iron grasp of the imperialistic Garlean Empire–whose menacing machina-powered might*threatens to reduce all of Eorzea to a sovereign nation.
As players embark on the quintessential Hero’s Journey to thwart evil, they enact a spanning webwork of quests and interactions that ripple through the fabric of time itself. As the realm balances delicately on the brink of total destruction, the future of Eorzea rests on the shoulders of one lone adventurer–will the Light preserve him, or with darkness reign supreme?
So You Want to Become an Adventurer: Game Mechanics
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn*keeps true to the familiar and keepsake elements of any MMO with its PC version, and the PlayStation 4 port matches it stride for stride. The controls of the DualShock 4 (see below for comparison) are adequately plotted, and overall the mechanics are quite solid. Certain mainstays are reflected in gameplay including the skill-set hotbar, a dynamic EXP character progression system, main and side quests, and a balanced party system for in-game combat.
Square Enix stays on the linear path shared by nearly every MMO out there; that is you start out as a novice, work your way up via quests/level ups, and move on to different areas as you solidify your character. Final Fantasy XIV offers a layered experience, with a multitude of extra side-quests and classes to explore, affording the possibility for a different experience each time you play.
Further akin to other MMO’s, A Realm Reborn offers a staggering level of end-game content. Players can craft a multitude of items for friends or to formulate that perfect set of armor, master their in-experienced classes, or trade with other gamers across the globe. The sheer volume of customizable gear alone is impressive, and throughout your journeys you’re like to come across many a well-equipped hero.
Classes & Character Progression
Character creation is pretty standard, although the array of customization options is dazzling; from facial features to cosmetic add-ons like scars, tattoos and eye-shadow, it has something for everyone. There are two main starting tiers that lump each class accordingly: the Disciples of War contain melee-based classes like the Pugiilist, Archer and Lancer, whereas the Disciples of Magic are the sorcerers–Conjurers, Thaumaturges, and Arcanists make up this branch.
One of the most unique aspects of Final Fantasy XIV: ARR is that players can switch between any class at any time simply by equipping a classic-specific weapon. For example, if you’re a Lancer and you equip a bow, you’ll become an Archer. The best part about this is that the switch isn’t permanent, and you don’t forfeit your previous class progression when you switch; upon equipping your Feathered Harpoon you’ll turn right back into your leveled Lancer.
Characters have the standard Attributes pane that determine your effectiveness in battle. There are six different attributes–Strength, Dexterity, Vitality (Disciples of War) and Intelligence, Mind and Piety (Disciples of the Mind)–along with a range of elemental resistances, including Fire, Ice, Wind, Earth, Lightning and Water.
Combat and Party System
Whether you’re a magician or a hardy warrior, one thing remains the same: you’ll need to battle enemies to become stronger. Combat is the essence of character progression, and as such, an integral part of any MMO. Using skills assigned to the hotbar, players can tackle baddies across their starting points to rack up EXP, find items, and earn Gil.
Combat is pretty straight forward–target a baddie, use a skill, and voila. Attacks have cool-downs and will need to be cycled appropriately, making it a sort of turn-based type of interaction. Each skill has its own set cool-down and bonuses, and some abilities can actually grant extra damage if used in a particular sequence. Skills use resources known as MP (Mana Points) or TP (Technique Points), and of course there’s HP which determines your life total. TP is used by Disciples of War, whereas MP is used by summoners and arcanists of the Disciples of Magic branch.
Much of the beginning game is designed to be an introductory experience, and as such, it can be solo-ed quite easily. Later areas will put your mettle to the test, and oft times you’ll need help–that’s where partying up with other players becomes a huge advantage. Not only do you net extra EXP, but joining up with other players is the essential core to the MMO experience.
Having a good social foundation is a great way to get the full extent out of the game, and players can choose to join Free Companies, which are sort of like guilds that share items and the like. Partying with the right classes and balancing the right gear can make a huge difference in the late game, where boss battles and dungeon raids can go on for more than an hour.
DualShock 4 Control Scheme & External Support
In all honesty, there isn’t much difference between the two; in the PC port, you can hook up a USB controller for convenience, and the PS4 flavor lets gamers plug in a mouse and keyboard to simulate a true PC-style MMO experience.
This is great news for players who prefer the more precise and streamlined control afforded by the mouse-and-keyboard option. While this is mostly an advisable option, the DualShock controller actually fares quite well as a MMO peripheral.
To start, the hotbars are managed by a R2 and L2 triggers which effectively activate different sets of bars–L2 for the Left-hand bar, and R2 for the Right-hand. Each bar has eight mappable slots, which are activated via the corresponding D-Pad and four face buttons (Square, X, Circle and Triangle). It may sound a bit tricky at the start, but actually it’s quite convenient, and each hotbar can be customized as players see fit.
One of the tricky drawbacks to the DualShock controller is the targeting system, which can go awry if you’re in a FATE battle full of other players. Using the D-Pad to cycle through enemies, players can then lock onto a specific target by pressing the L3 (left analog stick) inward.
Conclusion
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn deserves triumphant fanfare for its innovative gameplay and resoundingly deep high fantasy. The game sweeps players away to a radiant realm of possibility, a realm full of bounding chocobos and floating moogles (kupo!) and limitless adventure. The game itself brings a bountiful wealth of content to not only the MMO sector but adds a brand new experience for PS4 owners to enjoy, offering an engaging and splendor-infused experience that lasts and lasts.
While the game does have its slow points at times, the title fills a much-needed hole in the PS4′s lineup and restores Square Enix as a dominant leader in the RPG genre. A Realm Reborn can’t be recommended enough for fans of high-fantasy literature and Final Fantasy, as Square has married the beauty of myth with the quirky charm of the series to create something that’s wholly magical.
Pros
- Compelling*story arc
- Massive amount of play time
- Engaging MMORPG gameplay
- Deep*fantasy lore
- Pristine graphics
- Switching classes with ease
- Living, breathing environments
- Resplendent with exotic visuals
- Charming characters
- Familiar franchise elements–moogles, chocobos, etc.
- Improved servers, low latency
Cons
- DualShock control scheme can be*finicky
- Repetitive fetch quests
- Server down-times
- Spam messages
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