Final Fantasy XIV Online

A Realm Reborn on PS4 is a visual and technical marvel of polished gameplay and a grand story true to the Final Fantasy tradition. Highly recommended and worth every penny.

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Buy Final Fantasy XIV Online on PlayStation Store. Join millions of other players online in an ongoing adventure across the world of Eorzea.

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Play Modes

Reviews

85%

Audience ScoreBased on 51,718 reviews

story6,790 positive mentions

grinding1,133 negative mentions

story
18,693 mentions
36 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story of Final Fantasy XIV is widely praised for its depth and emotional resonance, particularly in the expansions following the base game, A Realm Reborn. While many players find the initial story slow and filled with fetch quests, they often report that the narrative significantly improves with expansions like Heavensward, Shadowbringers, and Endwalker, which are noted for their compelling characters and intricate plots. The game is heavily story-driven, with most content locked behind the main scenario quests, making it essential for players to engage with the narrative to fully enjoy the experience. Overall, the storytelling is considered one of the game's strongest aspects, drawing players into a rich and immersive world.
- “The story alone is something everyone needs to experience, if you are on the fence about buying this game.”
- “This game and its expansions tell a complex and thoroughly well-written story that will compel you to feel profound feelings and emotions.”
- “The story is incredible, even if it starts off slow and takes its sweet time.”
- “The main story quest is long and boring and unskippable, you must do it to unlock the game and it takes hours and hours, you can't even get to the new content you're locked by yourself in a massive lonely game with pointless walking back and forth in a boring exercise of right clicking and reading.”
- “The story is very long, drawn out and incredibly predictable.”
- “The story is lacklustre, although I can only speak for the beginning of the game.”
gameplay
3,887 mentions
38 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Final Fantasy XIV is characterized by a blend of traditional MMORPG mechanics and unique features that enhance player engagement. While the early levels can feel slow and repetitive, particularly with fetch quests and limited abilities, the gameplay significantly improves as players progress, introducing more complex mechanics and diverse class options that keep encounters fresh and challenging. The community is generally supportive, helping newcomers learn the mechanics, and the game offers a wealth of content, from dungeons and raids to crafting and gathering, making it a rich experience for both casual and hardcore players.
- “There are tons of activities you can enjoy with a more casual gameplay and still keep things interesting.”
- “The gameplay itself is fun, too.”
- “The gameplay mechanics for dungeons in Final Fantasy 14 don't focus on just single target/aoe attacks but more focus on avoidable attacks, usually indicated on the ground, so it adds a bit more strategy and introduces a solid learning curve.”
- “When they decided to take the subclass system out and make it so you have the same basic skills as every other person, there was no further point in playing to just be a carbon copy of every other player gameplay-wise.”
- “Everything up to and including basic gameplay features are locked behind hundreds (and I do mean hundreds) of very tedious fetch quests designed solely to pad out game length (in an MMO, for some reason).”
- “The gameplay itself doesn't feel very exciting to me, and sometimes the story feels like it drags.”
graphics
2,369 mentions
57 % positive mentions
39 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics of Final Fantasy XIV are widely praised for their beauty and detail, especially considering the game's age. Many players appreciate the vibrant art style, stunning environments, and character models, which contribute to an immersive experience. While some reviews note that certain aspects may feel dated, an upcoming graphical update is anticipated to enhance the visuals further, ensuring the game remains visually appealing in the evolving landscape of MMORPGs.
- “The upcoming Dawntrail expansion is also going to provide a graphical update that will help bring character models more life and depth.”
- “The graphics are beautiful and the character models have a lot of facial expression that is refreshing to see in an MMO.”
- “Graphically, FFXIV is a feast for the eyes.”
- “The engine is dated, as are the visuals; although I have not reached Endwalker content yet to see if the later patches include higher quality visuals.”
- “The graphics are outdated, the gameplay is boring, and the story is convoluted and uninteresting.”
- “The graphics are a little outdated but that's all.”
music
2,311 mentions
57 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in Final Fantasy XIV is widely praised for its exceptional quality and emotional depth, with many players highlighting the soundtrack as one of the game's standout features. Composed by notable figures like Masayoshi Soken and Nobuo Uematsu, the music enhances the storytelling and gameplay experience, with unique tracks for various dungeons, raids, and boss fights that resonate with players long after they log off. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a major draw for both new and veteran players, contributing significantly to the game's immersive atmosphere.
- “The music is mindblowingly good in places and weaves into the world in a way that enhances the experience.”
- “The soundtrack is one of the best in all of gaming.”
- “The music doesn't just serve as a background score; it elevates the emotional resonance of key moments, creating an immersive experience that stays with the player long after the game is turned off.”
- “The music is so annoying, it's below crap tier music I just had to mute it.”
- “The soundtrack, is certainly not Uematsu's finest work, and it still falls short even when compared to some of the tracks featured in Final Fantasy XI.”
- “The music can get a little repetitive in areas that you frequent a lot, but there are some epic boss fights that have some of the best battle music in any Final Fantasy game!”
grinding
1,191 mentions
2 % positive mentions
3 % neutral mentions
95 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of Final Fantasy XIV has received mixed reviews from players. While some find the early game, particularly the A Realm Reborn content, to be tedious and filled with repetitive fetch quests, others appreciate the depth and variety of activities available, which can make grinding feel less burdensome. Many players note that once past the initial grind, the game opens up significantly, offering engaging content and a rewarding experience, though endgame grinding for gear and materials can still be time-consuming and repetitive. Overall, the game balances grinding with a rich story and diverse gameplay options, appealing to both casual and hardcore players.
- “This game has tons of hours worth of content and little to no grinding as long as you aren't like me, who's insane enough to main over 5 classes at once.”
- “Furthermore, this game is not grindy at all; you can comfortably level and not fall behind on gear if you just do the main story quests, which open up the entire map and give you access to all the equipment and gear you may need during your playthrough, which is a huge plus as it does not require 24/7 action as you would normally expect.”
- “The leveling is set at a good pace with no grinding required for the most part, and plenty of different ways to level up.”
- “Everything up to and including basic gameplay features are locked behind hundreds (and I do mean hundreds) of very tedious fetch quests designed solely to pad out game length (in an MMO, for some reason).”
- “The main story quests take a long time to get through and may require you to do some grinding to reach higher levels so you can access them, but that's pretty much what I expect from an MMO.”
- “The amount of tedious, snore-inducing main quests you have to complete just to unlock a new area or town (or even just a raid or dungeon) to visit is a mandatory hell trek where you either skip the entire main story of the game or be forced to climb for just crumbs of new content at an absolute snail's pace.”
emotional
466 mentions
96 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of Final Fantasy XIV is widely praised, with players frequently expressing how deeply the game's narrative and character arcs resonate with them. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke a wide range of emotions, from joy to heartbreak, often leading players to tears during pivotal moments in the story. The community is also noted for its wholesomeness, enhancing the overall emotional experience as players share their journeys and support one another through the game's rich, immersive storytelling.
- “The story is impressive in its scope and emotional resonance, and the game manages to make the player feel that they are important to this world.”
- “The music doesn't just serve as a background score; it elevates the emotional resonance of key moments, creating an immersive experience that stays with the player long after the game is turned off.”
- “I've never been so emotionally invested in a game's story as much as I have with FFXIV.”
- “The MMO aspects are great; however, so much of it is locked behind a long and boring story. It will probably take you at least 400 hours to complete the story if you are doing nothing but the story. Good luck staying awake if you do that.”
- “Longwinded, cliché-ridden, and boring story where you play the role of both a Mary Sue and a Deus Ex Machina.”
- “The most boring story is Realm Reborn, but everything afterwards is a heart-racing adventure!”
humor
251 mentions
98 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players frequently highlighting its blend of lightheartedness and clever writing. Many reviews mention the community's playful nature, the amusing questlines, and the quirky character interactions that evoke laughter, making the experience enjoyable despite occasional frustrations. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to balance humor with emotional storytelling, creating memorable moments that resonate with players.
- “I promise I really do love this game. I know it may not sound like it from the above information, but despite my frustrations, I still find myself looking forward to logging on and playing, laughing with friends about the countless times we have done the same content over and over and just being idiots.”
- “It's like a hilarious fantasy Tinder, where you swipe right on quests and left on ogres, all while your armor gets skimpier than a scandalous Lalafell gossip.”
- “Once you get to level 50, play the Hildibrand questline - it is a hilarious masterpiece, you won't regret it.”
- “For someone who isn't into MMOs, I'd recommend it, but not the Endwalker expansion where the story jumps the shark, the dungeons and trials become tedious mechanic-memorizing, and the best weapons are gatekept behind hours of the most unfunny side quest ever.”
- “Help, I made this as a joke but it's not funny anymore.”
- “*insert unfunny playtime joke here*”
character development
132 mentions
45 % positive mentions
51 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is widely praised for its depth and emotional engagement, with many players noting that it significantly enhances the overall narrative experience. While some players find the initial pacing slow, they appreciate how character arcs evolve and intertwine throughout the story, particularly in later expansions. However, there are mixed opinions on specific characters, with some feeling certain characters lack development, which detracts from the overall experience.
- “The character development throughout the story is fantastic, following the same characters through each expansion and watching their development.”
- “The story is well-written, with a rich atmosphere and solid character development that progresses as you experience the story.”
- “The new storyline in Endwalker is an emotional rollercoaster that kept me hooked from start to finish, and it felt like the culmination of years of storytelling and character development.”
- “Btw, I find Y'shtola to be the most boring character in the game from beginning to end. She has no real character development aside from some sassy dialogues and that 'little sun' joke, which isn't even funny. The amount of times she gets defeated and disappears for the rest of the expansion, only to return as if nothing happened, is frustrating. Anyone who likes her probably has poor taste.”
- “The first expansion, A Realm Reborn, leaves a lot to be desired in terms of storytelling and character development.”
- “You have absolutely no story-altering decisions to be made from start to finish, and while many people praise the story, I found it to be predictable, prosaic, and sometimes completely stilted with respect to character development.”
monetization
130 mentions
6 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
37 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing it as a blatant cash grab due to the combination of upfront costs, subscription fees, and numerous microtransactions for cosmetics and convenience items. While some appreciate the lack of pay-to-win elements and the focus on cosmetic purchases, others feel overwhelmed by the aggressive monetization tactics and the necessity of buying expansions alongside a monthly subscription. Overall, players express a desire for a more player-friendly approach, with some advocating for a free-to-play model that avoids excessive microtransactions.
- “Having played WoW and several other MMORPGs, I have nothing but great things to say about Final Fantasy XIV and its monetization model.”
- “The FFXIV online store handles all in-game microtransactions, which mainly only allow purchasing of cosmetic gear, dyes, mounts, story skips, and level boosts (it reduces a bit of grind, and is not pay-to-win whatsoever).”
- “The microtransactions that are present are entirely cosmetic and optional, perhaps the sole exception being faster mounts.”
- “With all of the XP bonus/leveling acceleration that they've implemented to try to catch new players up to the endgame content (and rush them into 'needing' to buy expansions to progress), the cash grabbing is blatant.”
- “All in all, save your money and put it into another game because this entire game is nothing more than a cash grab by Enix to line their pockets.”
- “Monetization: 1/10, no game has the right to charge for the base game, all the expansions, grind skips, and cosmetic microtransactions at the same time.”
optimization
129 mentions
41 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game receives mixed feedback from users. While many praise its smooth performance and ability to run well on a variety of systems, some report significant issues such as sound stuttering and poor graphical options. Overall, the game is generally considered well-optimized, especially for casual play, but there are notable concerns regarding performance in high-stakes end-game content and specific technical glitches.
- “The game is really well optimized so even your toaster is able to play this at decent frames!”
- “It's gorgeous, detailed, and surprisingly well optimized.”
- “The graphics are great, and the game is well optimized.”
- “Don't even try to play this game. This game is a f***ing scam. Error after errors. F*** the team who made this pathetic game with pathetic optimization. This game should be banned from Steam for how bad it is. Don't even bother to play it.”
- “The client is dated and the graphical/resolution options are terrible and poorly optimized.”
- “I like everything about this game, but holy hell the sound stuttering issue has gotten out of control.”
stability
123 mentions
20 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
79 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is a mixed bag, with many users reporting significant issues related to the launcher and account management, leading to extensive troubleshooting time. While some players enjoy a relatively bug-free experience once in-game, others face frustrating glitches and crashes that hinder their ability to play. Overall, the game's performance can vary greatly depending on the platform and individual setup, with many recommending caution for those considering a purchase due to the potential for extensive initial setup challenges.
- “But this game is relatively bug free and an enjoyable experience.”
- “It's stable, bug free, servers are solid, everything you would expect from a AAA title.”
- “For the most part the game is bug free, and even if problems within the game or servers occur, the developers are quick to react to solve issues as well as a team for community issues, if there are unpleasant players.”
- “But with FFXIV, I have lost an entire day's worth of game time due to troubleshooting that is impossible to do without an active subscription.”
- “Bought it through Steam, downloaded the launcher, and the launcher crashes every time I try to create an account, or the Steam overlay pops up in front of the launcher for literally no reason and freezes the whole thing.”
- “I have probably wasted about a total of 30 hours troubleshooting this game over the years, which in turn is a waste of a subscription fee as well because you cannot get into the actual game to troubleshoot without the subscription.”
atmosphere
110 mentions
45 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of Final Fantasy XIV is widely praised for its rich lore, beautiful environments, and immersive music, creating a welcoming and engaging experience for players. Many reviewers highlight the game's diverse settings and the positive, friendly community, which enhances the overall enjoyment. The game's ability to evoke nostalgia while providing a unique and captivating world contributes significantly to its appeal, making it a standout in the MMORPG genre.
- “As someone who enjoys immersive lore, I found myself drawn to the rich atmosphere of Eorzea and its diverse characters.”
- “The atmosphere and design of many of the zones in the game is truly jaw-dropping.”
- “The music, atmosphere, graphics, etc. are all top-notch.”
- “This breeds this awful atmosphere in the community that the game is all about progress.”
- “BGM is bland and basic in arrangement, failing to improve the atmosphere.”
- “I think I got pulled in by the atmosphere, gathering and crafting system and the players around me, but the early gameplay hours did not leave me the best impression, which I think will be the reason most people will turn away.”
replayability
52 mentions
42 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
Overall, the game exhibits high replayability due to its diverse class and job system, allowing players to experience various gameplay styles with a single character. Many users appreciate the abundance of content, including quests, crafting, and activities, which contribute to its long-term engagement. However, some players note that the initial story may feel less replayable after completion, with a few expressing a desire for more long-term PvE content.
- “The job system is great for replayability and there are tons of things to do.”
- “The class and job system is fantastic and affords a ton of replayability throughout your journey.”
- “The fact that your one character can not only be every single class, but it is encouraged that you do that, makes the replay value so much better.”
- “It does feel a bit grindy after a bit, and replayability is not the best (only 3 starting areas and most of the quests are shared among all classes).”
- “While the game has a very good story, it has no replay value because once you've beaten it, there's not really a whole lot to do after.”
- “Toxic ideas about 'just unsub' or 'go play other games' when you insist that there should be more long-term replayable PvE content.”