Coming off the heels of the decade-long Hydaelyn and Zodiark saga, Remaining Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail takes you to utterly new territory, fairly actually. For as soon as, you–the Warrior of Mild–are provided the prospect for some peace and quiet alongside your pals, with no calamitous menace looming over your shoulder. There aren’t any dragons to slay, gods to fell, or villains to conquer on the agenda. Hell, we traveled to the literal fringe of the universe, I believe it is honest to say we deserve this break.
This newest journey is the start of one thing new for the MMO and goals to strive one thing just a little totally different with quite a lot of unpredictable outcomes. You would be setting your self up for disappointment in case you’re anticipating this enlargement to supply the continuous pleasure and narrative revelations or Shadowbringers or Endwalker, however Dawntrail continues to be an incredible setup for a lower-stakes journey, and one which finally makes Dawntrail’s twist that rather more compelling.
Main spoilers forward for Dawntrail’s story
On this journey, you set off throughout the ocean and sail west to the continent of Tural. Though you are technically on trip, you are additionally on a mission: to assist your new companion, Wuk Lamat, turn out to be the following Dawnservant of Tural and, within the course of, discover the fabled metropolis of gold.
Whereas Endwalker hit the bottom operating and was uncommon with its respites, Dawntrail is leisurely paced as you compete within the ceremony of succession. It takes nice care in getting you acquainted with your new environment first and, as Alisaie places it, “For as soon as, the destiny of the world would not relaxation on our shoulders.” In consequence, you are ready to absorb all of the attractive sights with no sense of strain to race towards the clock.
From the picturesque capital, Tuliyollal, to lush rainforests and dense jungles stuffed with wildlife, to mountainous areas below starry skies, there isn’t any place in Dawntrail you will not need to cease and admire. Tural is among the many most stunning locations the MMO has to supply, and its design is just enhanced because of the long-awaited graphics replace, making this enlargement’s vibrant coloration palette and smallest particulars pop.
As you journey these lands, it is clear a lot thought and a focus went into curating not simply its areas, but additionally the numerous cultures of the individuals you meet alongside the best way, like Hanuhanu, the Yok Huy, and the Xbr’aal. The lives of the Turali are as essential to your journey as anything in Dawntrail, and as you spend an increasing number of time studying about their respective cultures and histories, you may witness firsthand the influence they depart on the overarching story, particularly the Yok Huy’s traditions of remembering their family members.
Remaining Fantasy XIV has usually struggled with its pacing, particularly with regards to discovering the time to handle each single narrative thread. And whereas studying concerning the individuals of Tural is among the most fascinating elements of Dawntrail’s story, in some locations it appears like there’s a lack of momentum with regards to development and the location of some quests, which might disrupt the momentum. This subject improves considerably in Dawntrail, which avoids overwhelming you with an excessive amount of without delay, primarily resulting from the truth that the story is constant in its singular objective from the beginning. Within the preliminary half of your journey, you may not often decide up your weapon exterior of Duties, which makes a ton of room so that you can get actually absorbed within the characters and world round you.
Nevertheless, some questlines really feel outdated and meandering of their presentation and may make you’re feeling such as you’re not making any headway. Too usually, you might be tasked with strolling from level A to level B to speak to an NPC, or ordered to gather an merchandise, and repeat this loop. Quests like these are to be anticipated in an MMO, besides, it is repetitive and unenjoyable. The stealth and companion comply with quests particularly, that are seemingly used as a option to make the dearth of motion extra participating, are simply plain tedious. That being stated, the general journey is interesting and interesting sufficient that these points do not derail the plot entirely–they merely gradual you down.
One of the crucial intriguing points of this story is the choice to determine Wuk Lamat because the central protagonist. You are taking a step again on this story to permit for the feminine Hrothgar to shine, and it is a determination that advantages the general narrative brilliantly.
Wuk Lamat is surely the shining star of this enlargement. It is her compassion and extroverted playfulness that makes her such an endearing companion and making the journey by way of Dawntrail that rather more worthwhile. She is unapologetically herself, virtually comically so, whether or not or not it’s in her constructive outlook on life or her love for her nation; she’s merely a pleasure to journey with. She’s a fierce warrior, however is afraid of alpacas, will tackle any problem introduced to her, however will get seasick. It is these characterizations, together with the terrific work from her English voice actor Sena Bryer, that makes Wuk Lamat one of many extra memorable Remaining Fantasy XIV companions in current reminiscence. With out her by your facet, Dawntrail simply would not be the identical.
She’s a personality you need to root for as a result of, regardless of her constructive exterior, she additionally has her flaws, together with private challenges she should overcome in your journey collectively. As you journey from area to area, Wuk Lamat comes to grasp that she is not as acquainted with her individuals as she initially thought, revealing her naivety within the course of, which makes her doubt her worthiness for the throne.
Step-by-step, with you by her facet as her good friend and information, Wuk Lamat goes by way of a pleasant journey of self-discovery, and it is rewarding to witness her character develop. Plus, the polarizing battle on the middle of her story makes for fairly the compelling narrative twist half manner by way of the enlargement’s story–it’s an enormous a part of what makes the narrative extraordinarily highly effective, creating alternatives for unanticipated reveals and stunning penalties.
Remaining Fantasy XIV has all the time worn its coronary heart on its sleeve, and it is no totally different in Dawntrail. As you become familiar with new characters and cultures, the sport’s themes start to current themselves extra clearly. Dawntrail is about friendship, household, and belonging, that are concepts which are deliberately tied to not solely Wuk Lamat’s journey to changing into the chief she’s all the time envisioned herself as, but additionally to returning characters like Krile and Erenville, who’re additionally pushed by familial connections of their seek for the town of gold.
Essentially the most compelling aspect of this narrative is the introduction of the mysterious Queen Sphene of Alexandria. Not launched till the late phases of the story, Sphene is introduced as a pacesetter who loves her individuals and even considers them household, very like Wuk Lamat does. There is a clear distinction between the 2, made much more apparent by their thematically opposing nations. Whereas Tural is teeming with life and holds traditions near their hearts, Alexandrian tradition is a dystopia and technologically superior.
The Yok Huy and their traditions of “remembering” family members after they’ve handed and the Alexandrian manner of forcibly eradicating the reminiscences of those that die to allow them to artificially dwell on inside “the cloud” as The Infinite throws their variations into stark distinction and presents you with underlying questions concerning the that means of demise and what comes after, letting go and processing grief, in addition to what it means to actually dwell and die.
The duality of the 2 queens demonstrates an fascinating, extra battle altogether. They each love their houses, however whereas Wuk Lamat needs to protect peace for the nice of everybody concerned, Sphene will cease at nothing to place her individuals first. In true Remaining Fantasy XIV trend, this battle manages to discover a option to pull in your heartstrings in probably the most sudden methods and forces you to confront tough selections that not solely have an effect on the Alexandrians, but additionally your shut companions. Some issues aren’t as they appear, and these selections additionally include penalties that might probably have a long-lasting impact on this period’s story going ahead.
If you end up deep within the motion, Dungeons and Trials each really feel more difficult than ever, particularly by way of the boss mechanics. Although actually manageable, you will have to be ultra-focused in order to not get hit by a very nasty AOE, or an advanced, steady chain assault. I do know I used to be. They really feel more durable this time round, however are extraordinarily enjoyable and satisfying when you determine the bosses’ assault rotations alongside your social gathering.
Responsibility designs are additionally tailor-made brilliantly with their respective narrative beats, one thing Remaining Fantasy XIV has all the time excelled at. They’re made much more thrilling because of the implausible, sweeping musical tracks courtesy of composer Masayoshi Soken, who has as soon as once more confirmed that his music significantly contributes to bringing a narrative to life.
With the most recent enlargement additionally got here two brand-new Jobs, Viper and Pictomancer. Viper is a DPS class that engages enemies by way of using three-step combos, with the third step granting an impact to strengthen a unique combo-ending motion, and it is a thrill to play. At first, the Job can really feel fairly overwhelming merely as a result of abundance of abilities you are given right away at degree 80, so nailing these combos down appropriately does take time to grasp, making Viper one of many tougher DPS Jobs. When you do get into the swing of issues, nonetheless, it is fairly thrilling to play. This class is slick and flashy because it depends on fast-paced assaults together with your twin blades that will also be related right into a double-ended weapon for larger AOE assaults, making you’re feeling such as you’re actually placing a dent within the enemy.
Then there’s Pictomancer, and the 2 Jobs could not be extra totally different. Whereas Viper is all about throwing out assault after assault and perfecting your combos for the perfect assault window, this ranged-magical DPS class is probably the most refreshing caster Job the sport has seen shortly. The inventive Job primarily is dependent upon you portray three canvases, two with corresponding spells that deal a ton of harm to the enemy, in addition to a 3rd canvas that may supply your social gathering a useful buff in battle on prime of your different very important utility. With its vibrant spells taking over your display screen to color fantastic photos, it is a actually enjoyable, whimsical class to play, with a rotation that’s fairly easy to get the hold of. It would not really feel like a chore leveling up, and I am eager for extra charming and laid again Jobs similar to it sooner or later.
I had some considerations about how Dawntrail may introduce and wrap up a whole battle within the second half of its enlargement, however the story is ready to tie up each main thread alongside the best way, whereas additionally delivering an emotionally impactful decision. Although the story does have a agency finish, it has additionally established some thrilling prospects for the sport going ahead, particularly with regards to the increasing lore of Remaining Fantasy XIV and what may come subsequent. It paves the best way for brand spanking new locations to discover in future adventures and even does the required setup work to contextualize how the participant might be concerned in what awaits on the horizon.
Remaining Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail is a superb stepping stone in a brand-new saga for the MMO. Whereas the story may appear easy at first, it quickly takes an sudden, but compelling flip that presents new potentialities for this new period. Although some questlines can really feel repetitive and outdated, they do not get in the best way of an in any other case good enlargement, and the journey is made all of the extra pleasant because of a beautiful new solid of characters at your facet.