Reborn To Triumph: How Final Fantasy XIV Became One Of The Best MMORPGs
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The Final Fantasy franchise is known for its enthralling narratives, breathtaking visuals, and engrossing gameplay. Fans await the release of each new game with excitement and they’re rarely disappointed. Over the last 37 years, the series has adapted to and thrived on the changing gaming media. From the earliest 8-bit Nintendo games to 2023’s visually stunning Final Fantasy XVI, fans never know what’s around the corner from this versatile and innovative franchise.
In 2010, however, Square Enix, the developers and publishers of Final Fantasy, released their second MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game), Final Fantasy XIV. Marred by numerous issues, the game disappointed and frustrated fans. Now, however, Final Fantasy XIV is one of the most acclaimed and popular MMORPGs in history. How did Square Enix turn this apparent failure into a lasting triumph? Let’s take a look.
Final Fantasy’s Long History
The first Final Fantasy game launched in 1987 on the Nintendo Entertainment System. Today, Final Fantasy is one of the most popular and successful video game franchises worldwide. The series is made up of fantasy role-playing games with separate storylines, but they often have recurring themes, mechanics, or characters. The series’ rich and extensive lore is one of the features most beloved by fans. Add in the compelling narratives, engaging characters, beautiful visuals, and phenomenal soundtrack, and it’s not hard to understand why the franchise is regarded as one of the best.
The Struggles and Lessons of Final Fantasy XI
While Square Enix had a long history of different types of video games prior to Final Fantasy XIV, it had previously only produced one MMORPG: Final Fantasy XI. Released in 2002, Final Fantasy XI faced exactly the kinds of challenges you would expect. It still has a loyal fanbase over 20 years later, but most players will agree that its graphics, poor UI, and restrictive mechanics, not to mention its emphasis on group play, made it a less-than-smooth experience. Square Enix learned from these issues in the same way they continue to learn from every new Final Fantasy game and expansion. There’s little doubt that Final Fantasy XIV wouldn’t be what it is today without the trials and triumphs of Final Fantasy XI.
The Original Final Fantasy XIV Release
Despite the lessons learned from Final Fantasy XI, however, Final Fantasy XIV’s initial release in 2010 can only be described as a failure. The game met with harsh criticisms from dedicated Final Fantasy fans and MMO players alike. Complicated and frustrating UI, bugs, sluggish response and loading times, and lack of content all contributed to a clunky, underwhelming game. The 2010 version was viewed as a dark spot on the Final Fantasy franchise’s record, and at first, it seemed that Square Enix wasn’t going to make meaningful changes. Thankfully, we were wrong. With renowned developer and producer Naoki Yoshida on board, fans’ criticisms, complaints, and requests found the right ears.
2013: A Game Reborn
Square Enix brought the game back into development for a complete overhaul. Three years later, they released Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. It was a relaunch unlike any other. Instead of simply replacing the original Final Fantasy XIV, Square Enix wrote the new version into the game’s lore. In the game, a new era brought about the destruction of the original Final Fantasy XIV universe, allowing it to be reborn in the rebooted version. A Realm Reborn transformed Final Fantasy XIV into an MMORPG experience that captivated players across the globe. As of January 2024, it has more than 30 million registered players worldwide across PC and consoles.
From Failure to Success
Naoki Yoshida has spoken extensively about his experience creating A Realm Reborn from the ashes of Final Fantasy XIV 1.0. In addition to incorporating player feedback, he focused on creating a long-term plan while also concentrating on designing detailed game mechanics and content. Enhanced graphics, refined gameplay mechanics, and a rich, compelling narrative were just a few of the improvements that breathed new life into the game. The result was a game worthy of a place on any list of top MMORPGs.
A Realm Reborn offers players lots of choice and flexibility. With any RPG, you need to have variety with regard to classes, races, jobs, and quests. A Realm Reborn has this in spades. The game even allows players to switch to other combat classes when they reach higher levels, meaning they don’t need to create new characters just to try out different skills and abilities. Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn is also known and celebrated for its gorgeous visuals, interesting characters, and the kind of epic good-versus-evil story we all love. With frequent quality updates and expansions, the game stays fresh and in tune with what players want and enjoy.
Expansion Packs and Ongoing Success
Since its release in 2013, Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn has received many expansions and patches. Each expansion enriches the game’s lore and adds fresh content. The first expansion, Heavensward, was released in 2015 and introduced a faster-paced narrative and the high-fantasy themes and drama for which Final Fantasy is known. While A Realm Reborn needed to rewrite an entire game and create an engaging MMORPG essentially from scratch, Heavensward saw Final Fantasy XIV come into its own.
Stormblood (2017), Shadowbringers (2019), and Endwalker (2021) continued to expand the game’s narrative, introducing new lands, characters, and mechanics. They also took advantage of improved graphics and technical advancements to push boundaries and delight players with increasingly breathtaking visuals. The most recent expansion, Dawntrail, released in July 2024, followed the conclusion of Final Fantasy XIV’s 10-year storyline in Endwalker. In addition to a host of new story elements, including allies, enemies, locations, and challenges, and an impressive visual overhaul long-awaited by fans, Dawntrail marks the beginning of the game’s next storyline, which looks like it’s ready to continue long into the future.
Final Fantasy XIV On Mobile
With the game’s widespread success on consoles and PC, Final Fantasy XIV is now making its way to mobile platforms. Square Enix recently announced that it’s working with Lightspeed Studios to create a mobile version that will be an extension of the Final Fantasy franchise and capture Final Fantasy XIV’s immersive experience. From what we know, Final Fantasy XIV Mobile will be an MMORPG separate from the original. Naoki Yoshida, who is producing and directing the game, describes it as a “sister” to Final Fantasy XIV. There’s no word yet on when it will be released but needless to say, we’re already excited.
A Tale of Redemption
Final Fantasy XIV remains a fascinating example of a game relaunch done right. Creating an entirely new game with a fresh but lore-compatible storyline was a bold move that paid off in spades. More than ten years after A Realm Reborn’s release, Final Fantasy XIV is still one of the best MMORPGs and is played by millions of people worldwide. With every new update and expansion, the game continues to grow and improve, delivering fresh, compelling content, gorgeous visuals, and fun, challenging mechanics that keep players coming back for more.
Have you played Final Fantasy XIV or any of the other games in the Final Fantasy franchise? Do you agree that it’s one of the best MMORPGs? Let us know in the comments section. And don’t forget to sign up to our email list to get Finds of the Week and our free newsletter, PopPulse Digest, delivered straight to your inbox.
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