The final stages of FFXIV are still to come.
The final stages of FFXIV are still to come.
Considering a start in FFXIV, I found it engaging during a free trial. The game offered a solid progression from main class to level 24 and secondary to level 11. For longer play, the endgame feels balanced—bosses are tough but fair, requiring strategy rather than luck. Communication is key when tackling difficult dungeons, though not everyone plays the same way. The loot system leans toward randomness, adding an element of chance.
I don't play the game, but I enjoy the FF14 soundtrack and have watched several videos. Most people say it gets dull until you reach level 50 and tackle the bosses. Have you checked out some YouTube videos about boss fights? I'm still hoping for an update to the OST. =.=
I tried it through its entire first season—then stopped renewing after that. By then I’d finished or reached the highest levels of everything (within limits), so I ran out of new content. It’s a solid game but leans too much on flashy battles, like the ones in Primal Extreme and the Crystal Tower. Since all European and North American servers are based in Canada, playing from regions with long connections can slow down things, making fights tougher than they seem. 'Predodging' used to be common when the Extremes launched; even skilled players can lose if someone breaks the pattern. Like any MMO, some quests for upgrades or relics feel overly repetitive (for instance, FATE sections of later relic stages might not appear for days). It’s just not enjoyable. Plus, there’s a lot of elitism—ads and group chats often pushed unrealistic item requirements that weren’t actually needed. I was lucky to have moved from FFXI, so I could just keep going without pressure. Unless you’re in a solid server with a reliable group, it’s usually a grind or a matter of luck. In short—I’d likely still enjoy it casually if not for the subscription cost. I avoided much of it because the text was overwhelming, but there are definitely better options out there.
The community is the most impressive I've encountered. While there are some elitists, roughly 70% seem to be top-tier. For endgame content, CoB was the toughest at first—after nerfs and the early Titan—but it's improved. The story progresses slowly at first but gains momentum, offering a lot of activities. You might feel overwhelmed with so many things to do. The initial 50 LVs could be dull, but new additions make it more engaging. I played for a full year, but time constraints now make it challenging. An expansion is coming soon, which should make it even better. Loot varies; sometimes we missed key drops during raids, like the Black Mage and Summoner items from The Binding Coil of Bahamut. It was tough to get consistent gear, with some weeks having no drops at all. Monks took time to customize, but caster gear became more frequent, especially after a few weeks. Overall, it's a mix of challenges and rewards.