Square Enix has unveiled details for the upcoming expansion to Final Fantasy XIV, titled 'Evercold,' during a recent fan festival. The expansion will introduce a new job, a substantial collaboration with Final Fantasy VII Remake, and a variety of system enhancements aimed at improving the player experience.
Final Fantasy VII Remake Crossover and New Raid Series
The 'Evercold' expansion will include a raid series named 'Beyond the Lifestream,' developed in partnership with key figures from the Final Fantasy VII Remake project. Kazushige Nojima, writer for the remake, is supervising the story, while Tetsuya Nomura, known for his distinctive art design, is overseeing the art direction. This raid series will span three full tiers and will feature outfits inspired by Final Fantasy VII characters Barret and Tifa. The collaboration aims to bring elements of the popular remake into the Final Fantasy XIV universe.
Introducing the Bastion Job
A significant addition is the 'Bastion,' a new main tank job designed around the concept of dual-wielding shields. This job will start at level 90, positioning it as an option for more experienced players. Initial gameplay impressions suggest a 'Souls-like' aesthetic with moves that incorporate magitek elements. Further details about the Bastion job and its abilities are expected to be revealed at a later date.
New Environments and System Updates
The 'Evercold' expansion will also add several new areas to explore, including the city of Fargarth, the skyship Naglfar, Realmship of Water, and Hringhorni, Realmship of Fire. Beyond new locales, players can anticipate notable system updates. The development team is experimenting with quest structures, allowing some main story quests to be played in any order without altering the overall narrative outcome. To manage player progression, an 'auto content balancing' feature will be implemented, effectively scaling content to player levels. Additionally, character customization options are being expanded with a color picker for eyes, hair, and skin tone. A combat overhaul, named 'Evolved,' is also planned, which will differ from the existing 'Reborn' system, though players will still have the option to use the older system. More information on these updates will be provided in a dedicated stream.
The full scope of announcements from the fan festival is extensive, and further details can be found by reviewing the event broadcast.