Final Fantasy XIV Summary
Square Enix’s Final Fantasy XIV is perhaps one of the greatest redemption stories in all of gaming. The title is the second in the series to transition from a single-player experience to an MMORPG. Building on the foundation laid by Final Fantasy XI, the initial launch of Final Fantasy XIV was a disaster. Between server issues and a lack of direction, players felt the title wasn’t up to the series’ standards.
This perception changed with a successful 2013 relaunch of the title in the form of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. Spearheaded by Square Enix luminary Naoki Yoshida (aka “Yoshi P”), Final Fantasy XIV steadily became one of the best MMORPGs on the market. The game has 4 major content expansions, with the most recent being the critical darling Endwalker expansion. With new story missions and jobs continually being added to the title, Final Fantasy XIV shows no signs of slowing down as Square Enix’s premier online title.
Much of the team behind Final Fantasy XIV‘s successful realunch is part of Creative Business Unit 3. CBU 3 is, of course, the same team that is responsible for the development of Final Fantasy XVI. With an average of nearly 30,000 daily concurrent players on Steam, Final Fantasy XIV remains one of the most popular MMORPGs outside World of Warcraft.
Final Fantasy XIV Premise
Final Fantasy XIV puts players into the shoes of a creatable character in the realm of Eorzea. The title retains the high-fantasy setting that is synonymous with Final Fantasy and includes 5 potential races. In addition to the races available for character creation, there are 10 base jobs (with more added via expansions). The jobs act as the game’s RPG classes, each having its own stats and abilities. The title is an MMORPG and is intended to be played online as a cooperative experience. That said, many Final Fantasy XIV players enjoy playing the base story experience as solo players.
Similar to other MMORPGs, Final Fantasy XIV features a main campaign, side missions, and endgame activities. The endgame activities such as pinnacle dungeons and raids require careful coordination among party members. Several of the title’s expansions introduce jobs and characters into Eorzea from previous Final Fantasy titles. Many of these new jobs and abilities have since influenced the ongoing meta for the title. Final Fantasy XIV‘s story missions and expansions help to differentiate it from other MMORPGs on the market. Similar to how Final Fantasy has been the standard bearer for narrative storytelling in its single-player releases, Final Fantasy XIV has carried the same torch for its MMORPG side.
Players begin Final Fantasy XIV as an Eorzean adventurer who joins the Adventurers’ Guild. After investigating abductions and crystal thefts in the region of Thanalan, players eventually face off against Ifrit. Defeating Ifrit causes the player to be courted by each of the game’s 3 factions, causing players to choose one of the Grand Companies. This choice then leads players down a path of quests that eventually result in preparing for the return of Bahamut.
Final Fantasy XIV Main Characters
In addition to the player-created character, there are plenty of other important actors in the storyline of Final Fantasy XIV. While there are several dozen characters and quest-givers across the main Realm Reborn version and its expansions, the main characters from Final Fantasy XIV include:
Heroes
- The Warrior of Light: The player-created character is one of 5 Eorzean races and can be male or female. Additionally, players have 10 base jobs to choose from in terms of the character’s playstyle. Player-created characters are completely customizable and will interact with other player-created characters.
- Estinen Varlineau: Estinen, sometimes known as Estinen Wyrmblood, embodies the Dragoon class in Final Fantasy XIV. After his initial introduction in A Realm Reborn, he goes on to be one of the main players in the Heavansward and Endwalker expansions.
- G’rahala Tia: G’rahala is a resident historian and marksman that resides within the Crystal Tower. He serves an important story role in both the Shadowbringers and Endwalker expansions. Additionally, he is a gifted marksman and accompanies the Warrior of Light on several quests.
- Y’shtola Rhul: Y’shtola, aka Master Matoya, is one of the main characters from A Realm Reborn. She is also commonly used as the emmisary or representative of FFXIV in crossover properties. In addition to being a gifted conjurer, she plays a pivotal role in the story of FFXIV.
- Cylva: Cylva is the Shadowkeeper and an important character in the Shadowbringers expansion. Despite not playing a major role in the main story quest, she secretly grooms the Warriors of Light.
Villains
- Emet-Selch: Emet-Selch is one of the more important characters in Final Fantasy XIV and is more commonly known as Hades. He is an Ascian working to bring about the Rejoining — a series of calamities that signal the end of the world. He acts as the main antagonist of the Shadowbringers expansion.
- Elidibus: Elidibus is a mysterious masked man who claims to be an emmisary for the true god of Eorzea. While initially appearing to be an antagonist, he reveals himself to instead be devoted to the balance between light and dark.
- Athena: Athena is the main antagonist of the Pandaemonium questline in FFXIV. Her ambitions toward attaining godhood result in her acting against the interests of Eorzea.
Games in the Final Fantasy Series
Since its beginning in 1987, the Final Fantasy series continues to be the preeminent RPG franchise. It is one of the best-selling video game franchises of all-time with roughly 180 millions units sold across all of its titles. Blending both sci-fi and fantasy, the series has long-been the standard bearer for video game storytelling. The games in the Final Fantasy series include:
Main Numbered Entries
- Final Fantasy (1987)
- Final Fantasy II (1988)
- Final Fantasy III (1990)
- Final Fantasy IV (1991)
- Final Fantasy V (1992)
- Final Fantasy VI (1994)
- Final Fantasy VII (1997)
- Final Fantasy VIII (1999)
- Final Fantasy IX (2000)
- Final Fantasy XI (2002)
- Final Fantasy XII (2006)
- Final Fantasy XIII (2009)
- Final Fantasy XIV (Original) (2010)
- Final Fantasy XIV (A Realm Reborn) (2013)
- Final Fantasy XV (2016)
- Final Fantasy XVI (2023)
Notable Spin-Offs and Sequels
- Final Fantasy Mystic Quest (1992)
- Final Fantasy Tactics (1997)
- Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (2003)
- Final Fantasy X-2 (2003)
- Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles (2004)
- Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII (2006)
- Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings (2007)
- Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift (2007)
- Final Fantasy Type-0 (2011)
- Final Fantasy XIII-2 (2011)
- Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII (2014)
- Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020)
- Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin (2022)
Final Fantasy XIV Cheats & Secrets
As an always-online live-service MMORPG, there are no sanctioned cheats for Final Fantasy XIV. While cheat engines for the game do exist, they are unofficial third-party hacks that essentially break the game. While cheating in FFXIV isn’t unheard of, it is looked down upon. There are plenty of mods for the PC version of the game but they mostly focus on the performance and visuals. Since cheats would disrupt the multiplayer experience, they are not supported through any reliable means. That said, there are some secrets to uncover in Final Fantasy XIV – A Realm Reborn.
Final Fantasy XIV Secrets for PC and PS4/PS5
Advanced Jobs
The following jobs can be unlocked after reaching level 30 in the corresponding primary job. The advanced jobs are then unlocked after reaching level 15 in the secondary jobs:
| Primary Job | Secondary Job | Advanced Job |
| Bard | Archer | Pugilist |
| Black Mage | Thaumaturge | Archer |
| White Mage | Conjurer | Arcanist |
| Scholar | Arcanist | Conjurer |
| Dragoon | Lancer | Marauder |
| Monk | Pugilist | Lancer |
| Paladin | Gladiator | Conjurer |
| Summoner | Arcanist | Thamuaturge |
| Warrior | Marauder | Gladiator |
Final Fantasy XIV Cheat FAQs
How do you enter codes in Final Fantasy XIV?
“Codes” would refer to redemption codes for expansions or subscriptions and is not in reference to cheats. To enter codes for redemption, log into Mog Station using your Square Enix account. Select “Registration Codes” and then select “Enter Item Code“.
Can you play FFXIV without spending money?
Yes — the current “Free Trial” for FFXIV allows you to create up to 8 free characters and take them up to level 60. This essentially means you can play and beat the game’s main campaign for free. In order to level up characters past level 60 you will need to purchase the paid expansions.
How long to beat Final Fantasy XIV?
On average, players spend roughly 100 hours to “beat” FFXIV. Please note, however, that this is the figure for completing all of the critical story missions across the base game and expansions. As a live-service MMORPG, FFXIV never truly “ends”. Players can continue completing dungeons and raids for as long as they like.