Final Fantasy 14/XIV (Online) - Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy XIV (14) also known as Final Fantasy XIV Online is an MMORPG published by Square Enix in 2010 for Microsoft Windows personal computers. It is the fourteenth title in the flagship Final Fantasy and is the second MMORPG in the franchise. The game was directed by Nobuaki Komoto and Naoki Yoshida, produced by Hiromichi Tanaka and Naoki Yoshida, its music was composed by series veteran Nobuo Uematsu and others.
The original version of the game was discontinued in 2012 due to its poor quality and negative reception. Naoki Yoshida took over production of the remake, and Hiromichi Tanaka was removed from the role. Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn was released worldwide for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation 3 in August 2013, with clients for PlayStation 4 and macOS later.
The plot of Final Fantasy XIV
Final Fantasy XIV takes place in the world of Hydaelyn, and the region in which the game takes place is called Eorzea. At the end of the original game, the dragon Bahamut escapes from his lunar prison and triggers the Seventh Umbral Calamity, a destructive event that leaves much of Eorzea in ruins. Thanks to a blessing from the gods, the player escapes the devastation by traveling back in time five years into the future. As Eorzea recovers from the devastation, the player must face the imminent threat of an invasion from the Garlean Empire to the north.
Gameplay
The game follows the classic RPG experience system, through which players gain experience and become stronger. The main sources of experience include quests, exploring instanced dungeons, participating in full-time events, and destroying monsters. Additionally, the game features PvP content. In the armory system, the weapon a character wields determines their class. Thus, players can change classes by switching weapons. Classes are divided into four main categories: Disciples of War, experts in physical combat; Disciples of Magic, skilled mages; Disciples of the Hand, artisans capable of repairing and crafting items; and finally Disciples of the Earth, gatherers specializing in gathering resources from the environment. The job system complements the armory system for Disciples of War and Magic, granting access to magic, weapons, powerful skills, and armor associated with the job and class. These jobs, influenced by previous Final Fantasy character jobs, are best suited for group combat.
Characters
There are eight playable races in the game:
- Hyur - A race that migrated to Eorzea and brought their technology. They are divided into two groups, the midlands and the highlands.
- Lalafell - A race native to the southern seas of Eorzea consisting of the Planesfolk and Dunesfolk.
- Miqo'te – A race of cats that migrated to Eorzea like the Hyur. They are classified as seekers of the sun or guardians of the moon.
- The Roegadyn - A seafaring race in northern Eorzea. The seafaring race is divided into two main tribes: the Sea Wolves and the Hellguard.
- The Elezen - A race that has long inhabited Eorzea and lived peacefully with neighboring races. The Elezen are either Wildwood Elezen or Twilight Elezen.
- The Au Ra - A race introduced in Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward. They come from the Far East and are divided into two tribes: Raen and Xaela. They appear to be half-human, half-dragon, but the producers claim they are actually half-demon.
- The Viera are a race introduced in Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers. They hail from southern Othard and are classified as either Rava or Veena. Only females are playable, as males are rarely seen.
- Hrothgar - Introduced in Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers, they hail from Ilsabard. This bestial race has two tribes, the Helions and the Lost. They are the opposite of the Viera; only males are playable, as females are rarely seen.
Development
Development on the game began under the codename "Rapture," but producers were reluctant to release it as the main Final Fantasy title because it was considered "too radical." Development began in 2005, four years before its official announcement. Hiromichi Tanaka, the original producer of Final Fantasy XI and involved with other titles, served as lead producer. Some of the game's artwork and its logo (designed to resemble a wheel) were created by Yoshitaka Amano . None, Nobuo Uematsu , and others were responsible for the score.
The game was to be built around a main story with branching side stories. Yaeko Sato was the game's writer, the same writer as Final Fantasy XI. Sato faced a completely inefficient work environment and was hired after the setting and gameplay had been determined, forcing her to consult with the rest of the team whenever she wanted to use a major location in any way.
Reception
The original game received largely negative reception, primarily due to issues with the user interface, performance, and various aspects of gameplay. Gametrailers stated that it was "released before it was finished" and called it "a broken, incomplete mess." PC Gamer described the game as "a shallow, slow, and grind-heavy MMO, hamstrung by a horrible interface and absurd player limitations." However, the remake, A Realm Reborn, addressed these original issues and was a critical success.
