After a reboot and three extraordinary expansions, Final Fantasy XIV’s fourth add-on, Endwalker, has a lot going for it, especially given that it’s billed as the conclusion to the story that’s been brewing since 1.0’s defunct release. I’m happy to report that Endwalker masterfully delivers a tight narrative full of suspenseful twists, wonderful character moments, and well-crafted combat. Its climax offers a satisfying conclusion to the conflict between the deities Hydaelyn and Zodiark and other threads that have been unfolding for well over a decade.
As well as reminiscing about its previous expansions, Endwalker revels in nostalgia for previous Final Fantasy games, shaping its unforgettable scenarios and incredible soundtrack. Dungeon bosses like the Magus Sisters and a fateful journey to the moon are reminiscent of Final Fantasy IV, while more recent additions like the tormented FFX summon Anima are putting the spotlight elsewhere. Those familiar with the Final Fantasy series will enjoy various flashbacks, but you should definitely step into Endwalker with a good understanding of XIV’s history so far. This final chapter draws heavily on the ploys, stories, and characters from the previous expansions, and unlike the previous Shadowbringers expansion, doesn’t work well as a standalone adventure.
The action in this expansion starts off slow, as much of the opening time is filled with cutscenes as you race from quest giver to goal in typical MMO fashion. But once the narrative build is complete, the excitement rarely stops until the credits roll. They travel to the nation of scholars for a diplomatic mission in Old Sharlayan, the colourful, Indian-inspired Radz-at-han and Thavanir, and even to the moon and beyond. Each setting is a key to the developing story centered around a doomsday catastrophe.
I’m struck by the dark tones of the story and how deftly it handles complicated issues. The first visit to enemy territory in Garlemald stands out as it is about neglected, malnourished and suspicious communities locked in a civil war while you, an invading force, try to help them. Another questline about the loyalty of soldiers sworn to a nation crumbling around them also made a big impact. Desperation and hopelessness are central to much of the expansion’s plot, and manifest in surprising ways.
Some quests require you to recruit different characters into your company, which adds that sense of adventure with a group that’s often lacking in MMORPGs. In these cases, I would take the opportunity to look for specially marked points of interest that would allow me to talk to my companions about their thoughts and feelings regarding the situation at hand. This storytelling isn’t flashy, but I appreciate the little ways FFXIV makes the game more intimate.
The two new jobs available are stylish and fun. A new melee DPS role, the Reaper employs a killer scythe and void creatures in combat, relying on kinetic positional attacks to deal maximum damage. The Sage, on the other hand, is a new shield-wielding healing class that deploys laser drones that fly around in cool formations while blasting wards at your allies and restoring their health. Both have proven very useful in groups, and offer wildly different aesthetics and playstyle from similar job archetypes.
Endwalker creates a spectacular ending to an intricate ongoing narrative, a testament to how far it’s come since his revival in A Realm Reborn. Thankfully, this isn’t the end but the beginning of a new story that I can’t wait to see in future patches and expansions. Having spent hundreds of hours playing Final Fantasy XIV, it’s easily one of the best MMO experiences out there, and Endwalker has cemented it as my favorite Final Fantasy of all time.
