Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker

Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker is the fourth expansion to the popular MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, produced by Square Enix. The expansion is a very important chapter in the game's history, as it completes the main plot. It was started in the base game, which debuted originally in 2012 on PC and PlayStation 3 console. The game was a completely rebuilt version of the original Final Fantasy XIV, which after its release in 2010 met with extremely poor ratings and reception by fans. We learned about the existence of Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker in early 2021. It's worth mentioning that Endwalker updates the whole FF XIV to the long-awaited by fans version 6.0, introducing numerous new features also for players who don't have the add-on.

Plot

In Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker players return to Hydaelyn to face the greatest challenge yet to the existence of the entire world. During the adventure we meet old and new allies, as well as characters from previous expansions. The story takes us to places we haven't travelled to before, including the moon of Hydaelyn, which becomes the arena for many key events that decide the future of the characters and open a new chapter in the history of FF XIV.

Mechanics

Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker offers a number of long-awaited fixes and changes, as well as gameplay innovations. The most important of these is the increase in the maximum experience level from 80 to 90, which is connected with new skills and attacks for all character classes. Speaking of new skills, it's worth mentioning that the developers have introduced several new specializations for players, including Sage who focuses on healing team members.

In the expansion we explore diverse locations, including the imperial province of Garlemald, Thavnair and the city of Radz-at-Han. The developers have prepared a number of previously unseen dungeons, quests and a high-level raid called Pandemonium, as well as a brand new PvP mode. There are also new equipment and recipes for all crafting specialties. In addition, for the first time we get a chance to buy our own house in Ishgard.

Developers have significantly reduced the numerical values of attacks and health points of enemies, which ensures a better balance of gameplay and avoids technical problems with the game engine. Finally, they also decided to completely remove belts from our character's inventory, which for years played a completely minimal role in the game.

Technical aspects

Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker introduces a number of changes adapting the game to PlayStation 5, with 4K gameplay, faster loading times and more stable performance than the PlayStation 4 version.