Final Fantasy XIV: A Lesson in How to Create a Respectable MMORPG
Ah, the time has finally come to talk about Final Fantasy XIV! Not only is it associated with one of the most famous RPG franchises in the world, but it was also produced by Square Enix, the ultimate authority in this type of game. After its disastrous initial release in 2010, the title made a remarkable comeback three years later.
So today, we’re going to talk about this respectable MMORPG that, more than 10 years after its launch, continues to attract a loyal legion of fans. Ready to understand why? Then prepare to explore the continent of Eorzea, within the planet Hydaelyn, and get to know its story, challenges, enemies, and achievements.
Understanding Final Fantasy XIV
First, let’s understand the story of this MMORPG. You create your character, known as the Warrior of Light. Your mission in the world of Eorzea is to be a kind of adventurer redeeming all the evil present there.
In the main plot of Final Fantasy XIV, your character will encounter powerful enemies. This includes mainly the militaristic nation of Garleans and the powerful entities called Primals. To make the player’s experience even more dynamic and interesting, the game features several standout elements and characteristics:
- You can choose between 8 races and 3 main classes. Each has its own attributes and can be focused on physical combat, magic, or assassination and gathering.
- The game also has a very interesting quest system. There are the main game quests, side quests, as well as missions for your class and tribe. Upon reaching the maximum level, it’s possible to unlock other quests involving high-level fights.
- Additionally, the combat and class development system is also a highlight. Along with the classic PVP and PVE, you have skills and functions for your battles.
Combined with all these features, we have the main narrative. Much more than a fight between good and evil, the game’s story has several layers. As we will see below, this is one of its main strengths.
How Square Enix Fixed Its Mistakes and Delivered an Excellent Game
When Final Fantasy XIV was released in 2010, the criticisms came quickly. Many players complained about technical errors, repetitive gameplay, flawed design, and limited content. With all this feedback, Square Enix did its homework.
So, in 2013, the producer released Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, addressing all these problems. To start, the story was revamped, presenting a rich lore with many other exploration elements. This gave players a greater immersion experience.
Moreover, the class creation and flexibility system became more flexible, offering various possibilities. This way, you can experiment with different play styles without having to create a new character. To top it off, other positive aspects also stand out:
- Square Enix frequently releases new expansions with quality content.
- With each new game update, there are significant improvements in graphics and gameplay.
- Another point that pleases fans greatly is the game’s exceptional soundtrack.
- All this is combined with several periodic events and prominent crossovers.
In some aspects, Final Fantasy XIV might still fall short. This includes factors like dated content, a steeper learning curve, and the need for a subscription to play. However, none of this detracts from the overall positive experience the game offers.
And What About Its Community?
In over 10 years of active servers, the Final Fantasy XIV community is quite extensive. But the good news is that it is inclusive and friendly to new players, making the game a highly pleasant and recommendable experience.
Like other major producers, Square Enix does not provide detailed reports on the number of players in Brazil and worldwide. This is primarily due to respecting the privacy of its target audience. However, there are some aspects we can highlight in this regard:
- The largest number of active players are in Asia, especially in Japan.
- Next, the European community is quite strong, followed by North America.
- Lastly, Oceania is the third region where the game is most popular.
And what about Brazil? Well, the title is also successful here. There is a complete and far-reaching online community. It is present in forums, social networks, and channels dedicated to Final Fantasy XIV in general. So, you won’t be alone in your experience.
Final Fantasy XIV: Final Considerations
At the game’s first release in 2010, Square Enix suffered a 90% loss in its revenue projections. Thus, in 2012, it shut down its servers and brought the game back, revamped from scratch, the following year.
And it’s a good thing that happened! This MMORPG gained the deserved prominence and affection of its active player community. This is due to its great story, numerous expansions and DLCs with continuous improvements, and excellent gameplay.
As the Warrior of Light, the number of quests and the possibilities for exploration and combat that the game offers are surprising. This makes it the kind of game where you linger before finishing, wanting to discover all its secrets and possibilities.
For these reasons, we can say that this is a respectable MMORPG, worth checking out. Even for those who are not fans or unfamiliar with the Final Fantasy series. As an independent story, you can start directly with it without feeling lost in the narrative. And because of that, you will be able to live a complete adventure with a beginning, middle, and end.
This is a comprehensive overview of Final Fantasy XIV. Of course, we recommend you play the game if you haven’t done so yet to draw your own conclusions. But one thing is certain: if you do, you will definitely invest your time well and won’t regret it.