Time and time again, I return to this game, and it always leaves me questioning, ‘Why did I stop playing in the first place?’ However, if you haven’t already guessed from the opening of this post, I’m back on my Final Fantasy XIV hyperfocus yet again.
There are a few reasons for this. Firstly, the recent Final Fantasy Fan Fest. Secondly, the upcoming expansion at the start of next year. However, finally and most importantly, I am a Lalafell, and sometimes you just need to have some fun and chaos. What’s not to love about all of those reasons? Even with these several reasons, I’m going to break it down a little bit more as to why I returned (for the millionth time), what I’m excited for and my plans for what I want to try and achieve in the game.
Table of Contents
Upcoming Final Fantasy XIV Expansion
Like many, the recent Final Fantasy Fan Fest in Anaheim was packed full of exciting reveals, moments and stories. One of the most notable was the reveal of the upcoming expansion pack, Evercold. At the time, I didn’t even realise that the event was on until I saw so many people posting about the new expansion on social media.
Oh my god, this looks like good fun!
Launching in January 2027, Evercold is set to launch across all current playable platforms for Final Fantasy XIV and will be the first large-scale drop on Nintendo Switch 2. Yes, that’s right! Final Fantasy XIV is launching on the Nintendo Switch 2 for the very first time later this year too. Something I’m considering testing out at some point once it launches on the console.
The upcoming expansion and subsequent update are packed full of exciting new features, and I have approximately 7 months to get my character into a position where I can jump straight into the new expansion. Here’s some of the many features coming when Evercold launches next year:
- Two new jobs, which are a tank and physical ranged DPS
- Level cap rises to 110 from 100
- The Icebound Realm of the Fourth
- New areas and cities
- Arcane Colossi of Unknown Providence
- New alliance raid, EVANGELION Ghost of Desire
- Ultimate raid
- PvP Updates
- New gear and crafting updates
- and SO MUCH MORE!
Okay, okay, how about the new trailer showcasing Final Fantasy XIV Evercold?
Looks pretty amazing, right? I can’t wait to jump in and check it out next year!
The Lalafell Way of Life
It’s been a couple of years since I first switched to playing as a Lalafell rather than a Hyur, and still, I’m having lots of fun playing. However, thinking about why I stopped playing last time, I think it was purely down to just playing other games and no longer being focused on Final Fantasy for some time.
Now, that’s not a bad thing. Those who know me or have followed my content for some time know that Final Fantasy XIV is a game that I jump in and out of, and taking breaks for whatever the reason isn’t uncommon for me. I primarily play solo. Most of my friends play on different servers/data centres, and I’m okay with that. In fact I’ve actually enjoyed just playing through Final Fantasy XIV at my own speed.
Jumping back in after a good six months since I last played, I felt like a complete Sprout well, newbie. It was like I’d forgotten everything. How to play, what I was doing, how far through Dawntrail I was and so much more. Luckily, I asked my brother to help me out a little, and he helped me refamiliarise myself with the game and got me on my way again.
Although it was fun playing alongside my brother, I would need to do a complete server and data centre change to do so regularly. To do that, it costs around £10, I believe. Not super expensive but also something I can do at a later date, especially since I just paid to change my character’s name. A new return to the game and a fresh name.
The Expedition Going Forward
Well, I certainly have a lot on my plate when it comes to this game.
First up, I still have so, so much of Dawntrail to complete. That’s the main quest this time around. I’m actually somewhat embarrassed to say that I’m still so early on in Dawntrail, but it gives me something to work towards until Evercold releases. I’m optimistic that I’ll achieve it, but it will be challenging but fun at the same time!
Outside of the main story quests, I need to work on levelling up my crafting jobs, starting with fishing and botanist. Both are going well and levelling up steadily. I’ve also started playing some of the PvP mode. I have no idea if I’m doing it right or wrong, I’m just somewhat following everyone else and trying to watch and learn in the moment. It’s going okay so far.
Even now after playing on and off for the last six years or so, I’m still learning and discovering different parts of the game that I never knew about before. There’s still so much I haven’t done yet either!
One thing I do need to work on in general is my confidence when it comes to dungeons and raids. While I can just about get my rotations right, I struggle a lot when playing with others, which is why I mainly play on my own with the support of the Trust and Duty systems. While that has got easier over time, I’m a little rusty but will soon find my way once again.
The last thing I want to do is also pick a new job and start levelling it up on the side. There’s no real reason why but just something fun to do when I’m not sure what I want to do. I just need to pick a class next.
Have you been playing Final Fantasy XIV lately or thinking of playing again soon? Maybe you’re thinking of picking it up for the first time and playing the trail of the game? Did you know you can play up to level 70, and it now includes the Shadowbringers expansion?
Let me know your thoughts down below in the comments!
