Here we are finally, after a long time of waiting: today, with this review, we are going to analyze all the aspects of Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker, so as to be able to draw an opinion. The Warrior of Light adventure is about to come to an end: will the conclusion be able to meet expectations?
For fans of MMORPG, and especially for fans of Final Fantasy XIV, today is an important appointment. It has been out for a while in fact Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker, the latest expansion of Square Enix’s well-known massive online multiplayer, and with it the important conclusion of a story that began more than 8 years ago (or even more, if we want to also count the events of the nefarious version 1.0).
Therefore, after having spent an adequate number of hours in the new zones and in the new dungeons, with this one review we will proceed to analyze every aspect of Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker, so as to have a better idea of what we have in our hands. All, of course, without making spoilers (assuming, however, that the events up to the end of Shadowbringers are known).
Directly from where we left off
As visible from the title of the first paragraph of this review, the plot of Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker takes up the events directly where we left off with the latest post-Shadowbringers quest. We therefore have the threat of the Telophoroi which hangs over Eorzea and the whole known world, all according to the machinations of Ascian Fandaniel and of the fearful Zenos, more convinced than ever to increase his strength to challenge the Warrior of Light. Determined to receive all the help possible to solve the mystery of the towers and to prevent the occurrence of an apocalyptic event like that of the Final Days, the Scions will then leave direct for Old Sharlayan, placing their hopes in the wisdom contained within that city.
Going beyond this set of names that are difficult to understand for those unfamiliar with the rest of the story, it must be said that, despite this premise, the events are not centered on a single theme. While in fact in the previous expansions there was a central theme and a specific region within which all the events of the plot took place, in this case we will access many different areas located throughout the game world. The plot also does not have a central pivot to refer to, in addition to the antagonist: if the initial goal is in fact to destroy the Telophoroi, we will soon realize how the plot can easily change focus, with the sole objective of guiding the player towards an epic conclusion.
Lots of emotions but not too many – Final Fantasy XIV Review: Endwalker
Also in Endwalker we will find the classic stylistic features typical of the Final Fantasy XIV narrative: to one slow narration based on long dialogues stand side by side moments full of pathos, capable of arousing all kinds of emotions in the player. In this sense, Final Fantasy XIV fans will find bread for their teeth: there are moments of the narrative very touching, but also very hard moments in which it can be perceived. the sense of terror and despair broadcast from the scene.
As much as the plot coherently progresses through this emotions rollercoaster, it must be said that, in some situations, the intention of run to the finish. Since there are many plots and subplots to complete, many choices are clearly aimed at concluding them: however, this can lead to turn up the nose in front of some decisions, with various scenes that should arouse the aforementioned pathos but which in the end end up result somewhat anonymous compared to the standards Final Fantasy XIV has accustomed us to.
Breathtaking Challenges – Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker Review
As for instances like dungeon, trial e raid, we can tell you in this Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker review that we are facing one of the highest levels ever seen in the game. Nothing too different from the classic play structure we are used to: all these types of instances are completely linear, and the difficulty level is now higher than the dungeons we saw in A Realm Reborn and the expansions immediately following. In addition, however, the spectacularity of the fights (especially as regards the bosses) and the mechanics that are not unnecessarily punitive make Endwalker absolutely enjoyable from this point of view.
In the endgame raids we can also find one very interesting storyline. Here too, nothing different than in the past; but since at this stage the main story has reached a sort of conclusion, these subplots open up many interesting ideas for the future of the title. Clearly the only thing left to do is wait: in the near future they will be released, as usual, patches that will expand the endgame (someone talked about Island Sanctuary?), and you can imagine that the developers still have some important revelations to announce.
Questing Back Again – Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker Review
Among all the aspects we can talk about referring to Final Fantasy XIV, one of the most important, in the opinion of the writer, is the questing system. Although there are some important news, the judgment still remains negative: in front of a slow but exciting story, we find ourselves a questing system that very easily dampens the player’s enthusiasm and attention, due to rigid systems and the presence of a myriad of quests that are practically not played. This is an issue that Final Fantasy XIV has been carrying around since the 2.0 release, and some may argue that talking about it now means shooting the red cross. However, faced with a system that is still inadequate today, it is right to point out what is wrong.
Speaking of the news, we have new types of quests: in some we will be accompanied by some NPC, in others we will have to follow them; there are also some quests to do in stealth, in which we will have to follow a character without being discovered. Despite this new type of quest, their playful structure, in the vast majority of cases, remains unchanged: go from point A to point B, and eventually fight with some opponent. There tediosità of this questing therefore does not change, and therefore, as in the past, we will be forced to overcome this arduous challenge to get up to all’endgame and all its interesting contents.
Jobs and New Races – Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker Review
One aspect worth mentioning are also the brand new additions in regards to races and jobs. THE Evil Viera they were a deeply felt absence, so adding them was a great idea to give even more chances to customization to the players. The idea of making them physically slim and graceful is very welcome, as it does a bit of a counterbalance to the rest of the races, in which the males tend to be more robust (clearly excluding the Lalafell).
As for the two new classes, we have the long-awaited Reaper e Sage, respectively a new class of DPS and a new class of Healing, both to begin in Old Sharlayan starting at level 80. The first is a very class choreographic in attack animations, fun to play and capable of doing a great deal of damage. The second is a healing class semi-hybrid, as it is capable of inflicting a large amount of damage too, many more than they do with other healers. In addition, the Sage takes many abilities from the other healing classes, and therefore it will be more simple to learn. Having said that, as we approach the end of the Final Fantasy XIV Endwalker review, we are going to analyze the new areas of the game.
New Zones – Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker Review
the new areas of Endwalker, by the very nature of the set, are totally different from each other. Unlike Heavensward and Stormblood (more similarly then to Shdowbringers), since there is no specific area in the center of the events narrated, the areas will be scattered in all areas of the world of Eorzea and also elsewhere (see as an example the Mare Lamentorum, lunar zone presented since the expansion trailers). This means that the style of each area, besides being beautiful, is completely unique, and that leads to one variety very appreciable during the development of the plot.
Conclusions and final verdict
Having reached the end, we can say that, despite everything, Final Fantasy XIV he can easily win the hearts of fans. For those who have gone through all previous adventures up to this point, they will find a confirmation in Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker. Why this game works like this: between one expansion and another little has always changed, and therefore if Endwalker carries around all the advantages that have featured Final Fantasy XIV so far, even the defects are clearly visible. In any case, as we all know, our adventure in Eorzea is not quite over yet: various updates are coming in the coming months that will expand the endgame and that, in addition to adding content, hopefully improve some aspects of the game.
Having said that, a further clarification is necessary. The reason such an important review comes along so late is related to the problematic launch of Endwalker. As much as now most of the problems encountered by the community are solved, between the almost impossibility of playing in the first weeks post launch and the Christmas holidays it was very difficult to make a worthy review in a short time. The writer thinks that the cause is also attributable to Square Enix: although the servers are limited and a level of players has been reached such as to impose very long tails (in the order of hours), a very similar situation had arisen at the launch of Shadowbringers: given the further fame that the game has gained in the meantime, it was so complicated act in advance to prevent such a predictable situation?
After this little parenthesis, we have reached the end of this Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker review. The ball then passes to you: what do you think? While waiting for your response, we invite you to stay tuned on the TechGameWorld.com pages for daily updates on all the most important news in the gaming world and beyond (together with all our guides on FFXIV). If you prefer to buy game keys at discounted prices, you can do so through our link to Instant Gaming.
Points in favor
- Exciting story …
- Impeccable class design
- Visually beautiful new areas
Points against
- … but at times in a hurry
- New but still bad questing