Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers Reviews

Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers is ranked in the 99th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
9 / 10.0
Jul 17, 2019

Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn is a pretty cool game. Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers is an awesome extension of it, adding features that further distills the game's core appeal and adds an entire new game of shockingly excellent storytelling in terms of scale and quality. I don't really know what happens between those two points yet, and I have a long road of Final Fantasy XIV ahead of me yet. But after my experiences so far in learning the game, experiencing its latest expansion, and seeing just how much I have left to see and do, well, I'm in it for the long haul.

Read full review

MMORPG.com
Top Critic
8.5 / 10.0
Jul 15, 2019

Shadowbringers brings a lot to the table. From a great story, to amazing areas to discover and explore, Square Enix has truly outdone themselves this time. With many changes not only to the Jobs system, but also FATEs and just general gameplay, it's more than enough to bring new players and returning players alike to the game.  Unfortunately, it's not all perfect, but the flaws are mostly revolving around issues not related to actual gameplay. Still, some will find the content boring, as per usual, but to me, it's pure fun!Score: 8.5/10

Read full review

5 / 5.0
Jul 10, 2019

With Shadowbringers, the development team has proven that they have perfected everything that Final Fantasy XIV is known for and does well.

Read full review

DualShockers
Vanessa Brangi
Top Critic
9.5 / 10.0
Jul 9, 2019

Become the Warrior of Darkness in Final Fantasy XIV's most epic expansion yet.

Read full review

Jul 3, 2019

Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers is the strongest start to an expansion since Heavensward.

Read full review

Jul 9, 2019

Square Enix's third expansion for Final Fantasy XIV, Shadowbringers, raises the bar for MMORPGs into the night sky so high it's tough to see anymore.

Read full review

9 / 10
Jul 10, 2019

Shadowbringers is simply the best MMO extension ever made, period. The new world to discover is amazing, the story is amazing, the soundtrack is amazing and the updated battle system is amazing. We will only complain about one thing: please Square Enix, fix the way characters are animated during cutscenes because it is painful to watch in 2019.

Review in French | Read full review

8 / 10
Jul 15, 2019

Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers is, mechanically, the strongest entry in the franchise but the narrative falls short of being truly great.

Read full review

98%
Mar 22, 2020

The main story, while intriguing, may leave you wanting more; battles and music are definitely where patch 5.2 shines brightest.

Read full review

4.8 / 5.0
Jul 25, 2019

Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers is another hit for Square Enix's popular RPG. Base players have a remarkable narrative and story to explore, along with plenty of content to make the subscription fee worth it. Compared to previous expansions, Shadowbringers improves the game in a variety of ways. Whether it's the fresh story or just new experiences, there is something for everyone. So, if you're a newcomer or just a cautious fan, it's an experience that reminds us why Final Fantasy has remained so popular.

Read full review

10 / 10.0
Aug 8, 2019

As I said before, I cannot recommend Shadowbringers more. The story, visuals, music, vocal performances, and gameplay all combine together to create a phenomenal gaming experience. Final Fantasy XIV has only gotten better over time, and after playing Shadowbringers I have simply no idea how they are going to better this expansion in the future. It really and truly is that good.

Read full review

Leif Johnson
Top Critic
Jul 13, 2019

Full of emotion and high adventure, Final Fantasy XIV's Shadowbringers expansion brings MMORPG storytelling out of the shadows. Two great new combat classes, two cool new races, and a nifty system for running dungeons solo round out the experience of FFXIV's best expansion to date.

Read full review

9 / 10.0
Jul 19, 2019

Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers is one of the best MMO expansions I've ever played. The story is incredibly good, the new jobs are ridiculously good fun, and the mechanical updates work well. The word of the First is a beautiful treat, and music is top-notch. If this sounds like your jam, you should absolutely play it.

Read full review

4.6 / 5.0
Jul 10, 2019

Shadowbringers brings a completely new level to an already fantastically evolving world. From it’s deep, personal story about inner conflicts and shattered, dying worlds. To it’s emotional cast, musical scores and gorgeous landscapes.

Read full review

MMOGames
Jason Bassett
Top Critic
9.5 / 10.0
Jul 15, 2019

Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers is without question the best Final Fantasy XIV expansion yet. The gripping story gave me quite a few gut punches. Shadowbringers is fun, fast, and fluid, largely due to the latest changes made to the battle system. If you're looking for a brand new MMO or just want to get back into Final Fantasy XIV after a long hiatus, now's the time to do so as this edition is wonderfully done.

Read full review

4.5 / 5.0
Jul 8, 2019

Shadowbringers solidifies Final Fantasy XIV as the best MMO on the market.

Read full review

10 / 10.0
Jul 5, 2019

Shadowbringers is more than just a masterful arc in a beloved tale; it's one of the best Final Fantasy stories ever realized, showcasing an MMORPG at the apex of its craft.

Read full review

10 / 10.0
Aug 8, 2019

Everything from the presentation to the sound design, from new classes to new races, is so close to perfect that any criticisms I have are nitpicks in comparison to the love and adoration I have for this game, and this expansion.

Read full review

Cubed3
Top Critic
7 / 10
Mar 26, 2020

If you are invested in FFXIV, this DLC will probably excite and please you. It's a fun but forgettable romp that runs just the wrong side of boring during its hours-long retelling and bland A-B mission style. If this tickles your fancy, be sure to start and play with a team of friends - it will easily be 10 times more enjoyable, if infinitely longer.

Read full review

Digitally Downloaded
Matt C.
Top Critic
Jul 26, 2019

Shadowbringers is a shining example of why that formula works.

Read full review