Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail Reviews
Although it admittedly doesn't quite hit the heights of Shadowbringers, Dawntrail's shift in narrative focus injects a vibrancy into Final Fantasy XIV with this more lighthearted romp, while still keeping track of a greater story. With an increase in challenge of the instances, a couple of excellent new Jobs, an introduction of new characters, and the development of existing ones, Dawntrail clearly shows there's life after averting the end of the world and I – for one – wouldn't change a damn thing.
Final Fantasy XIV is a top-class MMORPG that sets new standards in the MMO genre with its outstanding story. Final Fantasy XIV casts a spell over newcomers and impresses with a fantastic amount of content. There is a hell of a lot to do in Final Fantasy XIV and, especially as a newcomer, there is an incredible amount of content so that you will never get bored. The fact that Final Fantasy XIV focusses on the story is a big plus point, as it consistently impresses with an exciting plot.
Review in German | Read full review
I already considered Final Fantasy XIV a must-play title for franchise fans since Shadowbringers, due to its high-quality story and the incredibly rewarding fanservice. However, with the release of Dawntrail, this recommendation becomes even stronger, solidifying XIV's place in the conversation among the best Final Fantasy games of all time.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Dawntrail is another excellent expansion for Final Fantasy 14. The story takes a while to get going, but once it's finished setting the scene it takes some pretty big swings in the second half that left us captivated. The dungeons are the best the game has ever had, the new Pictomancer class is an absolute joy to play, it's got incredible art design, and a soundtrack that's gorgeous. Here's to another 10 years of Final Fantasy 14.
Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail is a fantastic expansion to the best single player MMO today. There were some hiccups during the game’s prerelease, but since launch, everything’s gone very smoothly. Even on launch day, when traffic was at its height, it only took me 30 minutes to log on, which is a vast improvement from Endwalker’s launch. If you’re curious about playing Final Fantasy XIV, you’ve got hundreds of hours ahead of you, before you make it to Dawntrail’s content. But if you’re at all curious, Final Fantasy XIV is a great introductory MMO, and one that puts its story first. I happily recommend Final Fantast XIV: Dawntrail to all JRPG fans.
Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail delivers in all the ways players should expect a FFXIV expansion to do so, and upped the quality bar with a graphical update that really makes it a beautiful expansion to explore. Long time players might find it to be a bunch of old stuff done up in a new way, it's in many ways an improvement from what's come before, and that's all I can ask for.
Final Fantasy 14 Dawntrail introduces some of the game's best dungeons and trials yet alongside a compelling story that, while slow to ramp up, delivers resoundingly in its second act, setting a promising precedent for the future of the MMORPG on all counts.
Dawntrail goes exactly where Final Fantasy XIV needed to go, experimenting with the player character's role in this world as its borders expand.
Dawntrail may have the slowest start of any expansion since A Realm Reborn, but it ultimately won the race with it's smooth queue free launch, noticeable graphical updates and an intriguing new plot which is the fresh start Final Fantasy XIV needed to be at the top of the MMORPG genre once again
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Dawntrail may not be as much of a reinvention of the wheel as it was made out to be. However, it also proves that this formula is still capable of featuring incredible stories and taking us to places that can surprise and challenge our understanding of the world, both in and out of the game. It represents a huge step forward in the worldbuilding of Final Fantasy XIV and its gameplay, giving the player appropriate challenges for the hundreds of hours they likely poured into it to get to this point. If this is any indication of what’s to come, then FFXIV’s next decade is looking as bright as dawn.
While it doesn't take major steps forward mechanically, and its story may not hit the same highs as Shadowbringers and Endwalker, Dawntrail offers plenty of memorable and tear-jerking moments while digging deeper into Final Fantasy XIV's lore in exciting ways. The seeds have only just begun to be planted for the future of Final Fantasy XIV, but this expansion makes it easy to feel confident about where the franchise is going and how much it has left to explore.
Despite a midpoint lull, Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail is a stunning expansion with an evocative soundtrack, challenging dungeons, and emotional story. An exciting kick-off that leaves you hungry for the future of FFXIV.
Dawntrail is maddeningly both a fresh start with excellent gameplay and bit of a story letdown after two excellent expansions.
Crossroads fittingly bridges some of Dawntrail's weaknesses with strong new gameplay and long-awaited improvements.
Final Fantasy XIV Dawntrail is a great expansion that has a lot to offer. The graphics update is really good and the Final Fantasy music is still a masterpiece. The main story questline is okay, but unfortunately not as outstanding as players had hoped. Nevertheless, the new world of Dawntrail is worth a look for every MMO fan, as there are new dungeons, new jobs, new decorative items and much more.
Review in German | Read full review
Dawntrail doesn’t reach the peak of earlier Final Fantasy XIV expansions, but its path is different. Its mission is to begin a new grand tale, and it absolutely succeeds in placing the threads for the future while weaving an effective story about legacy and loss. Although I have grievances about the pace of questing and the main character’s contradictory actions, I’ve loved my time exploring Tural and can’t wait to see what the next chapter of the story brings.
Overall, Dawntrail is a great expansion that features a story with ups and downs, but that sets the stage well for what could become the new saga of Final Fantasy XIV.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The launch of new saga isn't easy start for Yoshi-P or players. But continueing the previous events is calling for change of pace, new characters or environments ' and Danwtrail delivers them all. With two different halves, great dungeons and atmospheric soundtrack, this one is still fantasy joy to play.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
I genuinely believe that Final Fantasy XIV Dawntrail is a phenomenal start to a new story, and that I am very excited to see where the dev team takes us next in the post-expansion patch content. From adding in more EX trials for mounts, new dungeons, raids and more, Final Fantasy XIV fans are feasting with yet more great content from Yoshida-san and the rest of his team.
Dawntrail is a fresh start for Final Fantasy XIV. After wrapping up its 10-year arc, Square Enix's MMORPG kicks off into the unknown. The narrative is flawed, its pacing is awkward, but Yoshi-P and co. still manage to deliver a story that is at least competent and can go in many directions. The QoL, graphics upgrade and combat improvements are the highlights of this expansion.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review