Even before its official release, Final Fantasy XIV's new "Keybound Brawler" minigame is generating significant player discontent. Announced as a crossover event with the Final Fantasy VII Remake project, the minigame is set to debut in the Manderville Gold Saucer on October 28.
Keybound Brawler functions as a typing game, similar in concept to Typing of the Dead, requiring players to use a keyboard. This presents an immediate hurdle for a substantial portion of FFXIV's player base, which primarily uses controllers, particularly given the game's recent expansion to the Nintendo Switch, a platform where many players may not have a keyboard readily available. The prospect of needing to acquire and use a keyboard solely for this minigame has led to vocal complaints on social media and the game's subreddit.
Adding to the frustration are the gender-locked rewards associated with the minigame. The initial iteration of Keybound Brawler will offer costumes inspired by Final Fantasy VII Remake characters. However, male characters will only be able to equip Barret's outfit, while female characters will be restricted to Tifa's costume. This decision clashes with recent efforts by Square Enix to remove gender restrictions on in-game cosmetics, such as the wedding attire in 2020 and the maid outfits prior to the Endwalker expansion. The community, for whom "glamour"—customizing character appearance—is a significant endgame pursuit, has expressed disappointment and disappointment that the developer appears to be reverting to such restrictions.