Discover the Spectacular Transformation: Final Fantasy 14's Endwalker vs Dawntrail Expansions
Experience a thrilling rollercoaster of emotions as Final Fantasy 14 players transition from the intense darkness of Endwalker to the refreshing dawn of Dawntrail Brace yourself for an exhilarating journey through nostalgic moonlit finale and vibrant new beginnings
Highlights
Final Fantasy 14's Dawntrail expansion marks the beginning of a new chapter and takes players to unexplored territories in the vibrant New World.
Dawntrail lays the groundwork for the Final Fantasy 14 development team to unveil innovative story concepts and offer players thrilling new adventures in upcoming updates.
WARNING: Major spoilers lie ahead for Final Fantasy 14. Over the past decade, Final Fantasy 14 has undergone significant tonal shifts. Starting with the disastrous 1.0 release, which concluded with an explosive cinematic, the game eventually found success after its relaunch. Square Enix's highly acclaimed MMORPG has become a metaphorical roller coaster ride for its players.
During the 2023 Las Vegas Fan Fest, the revelation of the Dawntrail expansion and the promise of future Final Fantasy 14 expansions indicate unmistakable parallels between Endwalker and Dawntrail. While Endwalker served as the climactic conclusion to a sprawling saga that unfolded over several years, Dawntrail serves as the opening chapter to a new narrative, potentially leading players into uncharted territory and offering a fresh perspective on the game.
Endwalker: A Finale Under the Nostalgic Moonlight
Starting with Endwalker, it was marketed as the culmination of the initial major storyline in Final Fantasy 14, known as the Hydaelyn and Zodiark saga. Leading up to the release of Endwalker, the expansion heavily featured the moon as a central theme, making references to the downfall of Dalamud in version 1.0 and the vastness of space. The prominence of the Paladin class and the introduction of the moon-based Loporrits within the game resonated with fans of Final Fantasy IV, creating a nostalgic experience.
In terms of the story, Zodiark's defeat in the beginning of the expansion allowed the true main antagonist, the Endsinger, to execute her plan to conquer Etheirys with Dynamis. Dynamis, an energy that thrived on emotions like hope and despair, transformed individuals into monstrous Blasphemies, leading to widespread panic and the creation of more dangerous creatures. In order to gauge the Warrior's determination, Hydaelyn subjected them to a trial of combat to test their resilience in the face of the Endsinger's despair-inducing actions.
Having fulfilled her purpose, Hydaelyn led the Warrior of Light and the Scions of the Seventh Dawn to the very edge of existence, where they emerged victorious against the Endsinger, restoring hope to Etheirys. Subsequent patches of Endwalker's main story became even more focused on lunar themes. As of now, the ongoing patch arc has brought the Warrior of Light and the Scions to the Thirteenth Shard, home to a blood-red moon.
In an homage to Final Fantasy 4, Patch 6.5 will transport players to the Lunar Subterrane for a climactic showdown with Zeromus, a malevolent entity named after the final boss of FF4. Only time will reveal the outcome of this battle. During the 2023 Las Vegas Fan Fest, Naoki Yoshida, the producer and director of Final Fantasy 14, announced that the final major patch of Endwalker, titled Growing Light, will provide players with a clear understanding of how the story will unfold between Endwalker and Dawntrail.
Dawntrail: A New Day in the Vibrant New World
In contrast to Endwalker, which represents the moon and nostalgia, Dawntrail embodies fresh beginnings and exciting journeys into unexplored territories. The land of Tural, also known as the New World, appears as a sun-soaked tropical nation with a rich tapestry of diverse cultures never before seen in Final Fantasy 14. While information about Dawntrail remains limited, the mere possibility of uncovering hidden destinations within Etheirys has sparked contemplation among Final Fantasy 14 players.
Considering that Endwalker served as the concluding chapter in a saga involving powerful Primals spread over multiple years, expectations are high for Dawntrail. With one story reaching its conclusion, the development team behind Final Fantasy 14 now has the freedom to experiment with fresh narrative ideas and offer players thrilling new experiences with each subsequent content update. Needless to say, the future holds limitless possibilities for both Final Fantasy 14 and its devoted players.
Final Fantasy 14 is available now for PC, PS4, and PS5, with an Xbox Series X/S version launching in Spring 2024.
