In its fifth main enlargement, Dawntrail, Remaining Fantasy XIV is dealing with its largest existential disaster but: the place does your story go now that its 10-year A-plot is over? Dawntrail forges forward with an fulfilling summer season journey to the land of Tural, doubling as a computer virus for what lies in retailer for the way forward for the long-running MMO’s story. Dawntrail doesn’t match the narrative highs of the earlier pair of expansions and is flawed in a number of methods, however its themes of legacy, the significance of tradition, and accountable use of know-how ring all through.
Feeling extra like a Shonen anime than a fantasy epic of previous expansions, Dawntrail has a completely completely different really feel from the a whole bunch of hours I’ve poured into FFXIV so far. It begins with a match of kinds, the place 4 claimants are vying for the title of Dawnservant, changing the retiring beloved ruler of the brand new continent of Tural. As an alternative of being the focal point, I’m helping this enlargement’s predominant character, the energetic and passionate Wuk Lamat, in her bid to ascend to the ruler of her individuals, competing in a ceremony of succession by finishing trials.
Fairly than being pushed by battle, these refreshing trials are management classes, proving whether or not every competitor is worthy of the Dawnservant’s throne. I want the act of finishing these quests had been greater than menial duties, however Dawntrail’s masterful worldbuilding vastly outweighs my boredom from the shortage of motion within the early hours. On the core of every trial are fascinating classes concerning the numerous cultures and areas of Tural primarily based on Latin American nations. I’m in awe of how a lot I linked with the mercantile trade-centric Pelupelu and located pleasure in reconnecting the colourful fowl folks referred to as Hanuhanu with the significance and magic of their harvest rituals. Making me care concerning the individuals of Tural goes a great distance towards bolstering my need to make issues proper for them when issues inevitably go south later within the enlargement.
Regardless of its easy premise, Dawntrail tackles some heavy topics throughout the ceremony of succession and past. Wuk Lamat goals to take the throne to retain the present peace her father has constructed for Tural over many many years. Nonetheless, she isn’t alone in vying for the title of Dawnservant. Her brother Koana favors bettering society with international science. One other brother desires to grab peace by conquering every part, whereas the highly effective and ruthless Bakool Ja Ja envisions returning to the previous methods the place the strongest rule and the weak serve beneath them. By every of their actions, Dawntrail explores how we cope with grief, the legacy we go away when our time on this mortal coil ends, and the perversion of the pure order by using superior know-how. The deeper down the philosophical rabbit gap Dawntrail goes, the extra invested I grew to become and extra forgiving of a few of its laborious tonal shifts and occasional character inconsistencies.
Whereas I like her anime predominant character vitality, it’s generally laborious to have the again of Wuk Lamat as an excellent ruler of her nation. Her ardour is infectious, and her curiosity and willingness to hear and be taught are admirable, however her actions typically battle along with her religious beliefs. Whereas striving to be a beacon for justice and peace, Wuk Lamat generally sacrifices her convictions and sweeps moderately huge atrocities beneath the rug that she would in any other case demand accountability for. It’s disappointing that these aren’t the moments she learns her largest classes from, however moderately breaking factors, swerving away from intriguing and sophisticated interactions that ought to have been explored.
Dawntrail’s dungeons and trials are persistently a delight, serving nice fight situations paired with the very best tunes on the enlargement’s catchy soundtrack. Every boss combat sports activities distinctive mechanics which are intuitive to be taught and construct on each other, forming complicated and satisfying fight puzzles to unravel should you’re paying consideration. After enjoying an MMO for a whole bunch of hours, it’s good to have difficult content material that checks what I’ve realized and introduces new methods to maintain me on my toes.
Dawntrail doesn’t attain the height of earlier Remaining Fantasy XIV expansions, however its path is completely different. Its mission is to start a brand new grand story, and it completely succeeds in putting the threads for the long run whereas weaving an efficient story about legacy and loss. Though I’ve grievances concerning the tempo of questing and the primary character’s contradictory actions, I’ve liked my time exploring Tural and might’t wait to see what the subsequent chapter of the story brings.