Everything You Need to Know About Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail

Introduction

Final Fantasy XIV fans were in for a treat during Day 1 of the Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival 2023, as Square Enix and Creative Business Unit III unveiled the highly anticipated MMO’s next expansion, Dawntrail. Set to launch in summer 2024, this 7.0 expansion promises to bring a fresh beginning to the game. Director Naoki Yoshida took the stage to reveal exciting details about the expansion and share a new cinematic trailer, providing gamers with a glimpse into the bright and adventurous world of Dawntrail.

A New Beginning

Dawntrail represents a significant shift from the previous expansion, Endwalker. While the latter focused on dark themes and the impending end of the universe, Dawntrail aims to take players on a journey of discovery and deliver a lighter and brighter gaming experience. Yoshida described the expansion as a new story for Final Fantasy XIV, marking the first step into a fresh narrative arc. The logo for Dawntrail, created by renowned illustrator Yoshitaka Amano, features a vibrant gold color that sets the theme for the expansion.

The Storyline

In Dawntrail, the Warriors of Light (the players) will find themselves in the New World, a tropical paradise called Yok Tural. Their journey begins when they receive a visit from a special guest who seeks their aid in a rite of succession to determine the next ruler of Tural. Teased to be a contest leading to the fabled gates of a city of gold, the expansion promises to unveil new allies and rivals among the scions, providing gamers with an engaging and immersive storyline.

The Locations

Dawntrail introduces players to several new and visually stunning locations in the game:

Yok Tural

Located west of Eorzea, Yok Tural is a tropical paradise that emphasizes coexistence with nature. Players will encounter new characters, allies, enemies, gear, and more as they explore this vibrant and lush region.

Tuliyollal

Tuliyollal serves as the major city in the Dawntrail expansion, situated in the northern reaches of Yok Tural. Governed by Gulool Ja Ja, a unique two-headed Mamool Ja, this city embraces a close connection with nature and stands as the setting for the succession contest.

Urqopacha

Urqopacha, a mountainous region in Yok Tural, is home to people of varying sizes. Once the central hub of the Giant’s Empire, this region now features ancient ruins that offer a glimpse into its glorious past.

Yak Tel

Yak Tel, a dense forest region in Yok Tural, can be accessed from Tuliyollal via dirigible flight over the southeastern mountains. This area boasts stunning cenotes, pristine ponds, and springs, along with settlements of the region’s Hrothgar and Mamool Ja inhabitants.

New Additions

Dawntrail brings an array of exciting additions and updates to Final Fantasy XIV:

– Level cap increase: Players can now reach Level 100, providing them with new challenges and exciting gameplay opportunities.
– New jobs: Two new jobs will be introduced, including one melee DPS job and one ranged magical DPS job. Details about these jobs are yet to be revealed.
– Expanded dungeons: Dawntrail introduces new dungeons for players to conquer and explore.
– Gear and recipes: Crafters and gatherers can look forward to new gear and recipes to enhance their crafting and resource-gathering capabilities.
– Variant dungeons: The expansion offers new variant dungeons, promising unique and engaging gameplay experiences.
– Alliance Raid: A new Alliance Raid will be available for players to delve into and conquer alongside their allies.
– 8-Player Raid: Dawntrail introduces a new 8-player raid, challenging players to work together and overcome formidable foes.
– Ultimate Raid: The expansion also features a new Ultimate Raid, providing the most hardcore players with the ultimate challenge.
– The Pelupelu: Dawntrail introduces a new race called the Pelupelu, who reside in Yok Tural and bring their unique attributes and abilities to the game.
– PvP updates: The Final Fantasy XIV team will continue to update the game’s PvP content throughout the Dawntrail expansion, ensuring an exciting and competitive experience for players.
– Blue Mage update: The Blue Mage job will receive updates, offering players new abilities and gameplay mechanics.
– Hildibrand adventures: Fans of the Hildibrand questline can look forward to “inconceivably further adventures” featuring this beloved character.
– Deep Dungeons: New plans are in place for Deep Dungeons, providing players with even more challenging and rewarding experiences.
– Gold Saucer update: The popular Gold Saucer will receive an update, introducing fresh and exciting activities for players to enjoy.
– Equippable Eyeglasses: Players will have the option to equip eyeglasses, adding a new aesthetic element to their character’s appearance.
– Enhanced Dye System: Two dyes per gear piece will be available, allowing players to further customize their character’s look.
– Furnishing limit increase: While planned for a post-7.0 patch, the expansion will expand the furnishing limit, allowing players to unleash their creativity and decorate their homes in a more elaborate manner.
– Strategy Board: A whiteboard-like “Strategy Board” will be introduced, enabling players to plan duties, raid strategies, and more in a convenient and organized way.
– Extended Free Trial: The free trial will be extended to include Stormblood, the expansion that follows Heavensward.
– Xbox Series X/S Version: Final Fantasy XIV will be available on the Xbox Series X/S, bringing the popular MMO to a new platform.

Graphical Updates

Creative Business Unit III is currently working on graphical updates for Final Fantasy XIV, focusing on enhancing the game’s overall visual appeal. These changes will encompass various aspects, including shadows, materials, characters, and UI. Yoshida emphasized that the updates will occur gradually and not all at once, with 7.0 showcasing a preview of the visual changes players can expect in future updates. The team is also incorporating higher-resolution textures and shadows to elevate the game’s aesthetic quality.

Conclusion

The Dawntrail expansion for Final Fantasy XIV is poised to captivate players with its new beginning, vibrant locations, and exciting additions. With fresh storylines, challenging raids, and a host of new features, Dawntrail promises to provide both longtime fans and newcomers with an unforgettable gaming experience. Mark your calendars for summer 2024 and get ready to embark on a journey of discovery in this eagerly awaited expansion.