The acclaimed MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV has launched on Nintendo Switch 2, offering a significantly expanded free trial for new players. Those interested in trying the game can now access content up to the Stormblood and Shadowbringers expansions, allowing characters to reach level 80. This update effectively doubles the amount of content previously available in the free trial, which originally only included A Realm Reborn and Heavensward.
The expanded trial also grants access to several job classes introduced with the included expansions: Machinist, Astrologian, Dancer, Dark Knight, Red Mage, Gunbreaker, and Samurai. Players can progress through the main story quests of these expansions without additional cost.
For those who wish to continue beyond the free trial's content, the next step is the Final Fantasy XIV Complete Edition, which includes the Endwalker and Dawntrail expansions. Purchasing any game license typically comes with 30 days of subscription time before a monthly fee is required.
Players migrating from other platforms to the Switch 2 version will need to purchase a new license, though it is offered at half price. A notable perk of playing Final Fantasy XIV on the Nintendo Switch 2, similar to PlayStation 5, is the absence of an additional online subscription requirement beyond the base game's subscription, unlike on Xbox.
The free trial does come with certain restrictions. Players will encounter limitations on chat commands, access to the in-game store, and a cap of 300,000 gil (the in-game currency). A significant restriction prevents free trial users from forming their own parties, though they can still join existing parties or be invited to dungeons through the queue system. A comprehensive list of these restrictions is available for players to consult.