Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers Reviews

Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers is ranked in the 99th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
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

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

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

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

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

Jul 10, 2019

Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers is a step above anything that has come before it. The perfect blend of captivating gameplay and a truly memorable story that rivals those heralded by fans for decades. It’s time to step out of the shadows and become what you must Final Fantasy XIV; the best MMORPG in the world.

Read full review

5 / 5.0
Jul 22, 2019

Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers is outstanding, and the pinnacle of Final Fantasy XIV so far. All of its elements blend beautifully for not only one of the strongest MMORPG experiences going, but one of the strongest RPG experiences full stop.

Read full review

oprainfall
William Haderlie
Aug 10, 2019

If you are waiting for any negatives, I simply don’t have any. It’s entirely possible that a game of this type will not be for you, and especially when it comes to a monthly subscription. But for those who are enthusiasts of the genre, that is no real barrier to entry. This was simply the perfect release for me, and is now my favorite MMORPG experience of all time. The one issue they might have going forward is how to continue at such a fantastic level. It is a really difficult balance to make a single player story feel so immediate and important in an MMORPG setting. And one casualty of that process is that I now love the First so much, that I don’t even want to go back to the Source. Of course, there are much worse problems to have in a game. And as the story of Shadowbringers continues, there will be more story hooks that will lead us back into the Source. This is a meaty RPG on its own, but the structure of Final Fantasy XIV expansions is always that you get about half of the story up front, and the other half will progress across the next two years leading into the next expansion. Even what is here more than justifies the $39.99 expansion price, but the continuing story also makes it satisfying to keep renewing that $10-$15 a month subscription fee. It’s much more than busy work, they truly care about this game and they always listen to their community. There is just nothing more you could ask for a MMORPG, and this is the new standard for which other developers are going to have to reach for in order to have any chance with us switching over to something new.

Read full review

9.9 / 10.0
Jul 18, 2019

FFXIV: Shadowbringers is a tale that shows us how much we need the Darkness, how balance must be kept in check, how vulnerable we all are, and how we can’t stand alone. We need others to guide us and help us push through all the things that would get in our way. This expansion is the amalgamation of what we could ever want in an adventure and what we could probably ever want in a Final Fantasy game. So come hither future Warrior of Darkness, join us in our epic and dark tale of friendship, hope, despair, wild and crazy banter, death-defying battles, and become one of the next Shadowbringers!

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

Kyle Campbell
Top Critic
9.5 / 10.0
Jul 12, 2019

Shadowbringers has only further solidified XIV's status as one of the greatest Final Fantasy games ever made.

Read full review

9.5 / 10.0
Jul 2, 2019

Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers is more XIV, and right now that's something I'm still happy with. The story delivers with its effortless whimsy and urgency, the battles are filled with spectacle, and the core fundamentals have only gotten better over time.

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

9.5 / 10.0
Aug 15, 2019

Does a lot of things at exceptional levels.

Review in Italian | 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

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

94 / 100
Jul 23, 2019

Coupled with a striking new world to explore, Shadowbringers' poignant and character-driven story is one of the best in the entire series.

Read full review

Wccftech
Top Critic
9.3 / 10.0
Jul 30, 2019

Accessibility and potential to solo aside, Shadowbringers continues that redemption saga that began with Final Fantasy XIV 2.0. The greater emphasis on story and solo play mean that even the players that haven't dipped their toes into an MMORPG recently could still get in and enjoy Shadowbringers, although much of the new content can't be experienced until level 70.The links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Wccftech.com may earn from qualifying purchases.

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

92 / 100
Jul 8, 2019

Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers has had the smoothest launch of any MMO I’ve ever seen[...]The amount of polish that we’ve seen in other aspects of this expansion also shine through with some great quality of life (QoL) adjustments.

Read full review