Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail Review ( PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC)

After a series of unfortunate starts, Final Fantasy XIV proves that you can stand up and dust yourself off after a nasty fall. I say this because it’s the only installment in the franchise to receive a reboot. This is after the original game, which debuted in 2012, received plenty of backlash from players, causing a significant dent in Square Enix’s reputation. Thankfully, the studio managed to salvage the situation three years later. And it continues doing so with expansions.

Dawntrail, the game’s fifth expansion pack, is a testament to the franchise’s evolution. Like some of its predecessors, Dawntrail introduces players to a new storyline, revamped features, and visuals. The expansion has been met with resounding praise, with most reviewers highlighting the graphical update that breathes new life into the title. For a franchise that is over three decades old, it seems there is still more in store.

If you are a fan of the franchise or have heard of Final Fantasy for the first time, well, all is not lost. The anthology series has a way of roping you in regardless of where you start. Stick with us as we explore the depths of this new expansion. Is it worth your time? Here is our Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail review.

A Rock and A Hard Place

Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail opens up to a new storyline, following the conclusion of the Hydaelyn-Zodiac arc narrative featured in the previous expansion. A fresh breath of life indeed, as the game transports you to the New World, also known as Tural on the Western continent. The narrative primarily focuses on Wuk Lamat, whom we must guide as she takes on the heavy burden of being the new ruler. This approach has, however, received some backlash from fans. Despite the expansion having generally favorable reviews, the choice of protagonist for this expansion doesn’t sit well with some people. To some extent, I understand why. 

Wuk Lamat’s grand debut in Endwalker was supposedly meant to prepare her for the role in Dawntrail. As the princess of the Dawnservant of Tural, Wuk Lamat is humble and dislikes formal titles. She is more of a people’s person. Naturally, that is a characteristic you see in leaders. She also values peace. However, the expansion does little to prove that Wuk Lamat is a leader. I mean, besides dismissing her titles, the only other leadership trait she has is taking in suggestions. We don’t see a fearsome leader but more of a naive character. Presumably, the developers chose Wuk Lamat because there is no better option than carrying on the mantle in the expansion. But truth be told, the gaming community is divided on this character choice. The upside to this is her voice acting, which is done impressively well.

The Plot Doesn’t Thicken

Like its predecessor, Dawntrail’s storyline starts off slow. But it falls short in upholding the franchise’s dramatic stakes. Endwalker did a fine job concluding the MMO‘s long-running story, which is always the hardest task. 

Instead of hitting the ground running with the new narrative, Danwtrail takes its sweet time painting a picture of zero urgency. Okay, we might not be saving the world in this case. But escorting a cat princess to her valid claim of the throne deserves some race-against-time actions. Ideally, the Main Scenario Quest is a slow burn. The action starts picking up after the second dungeon. Before then, it’s an endless scenario of riding, walking, and chatting up other characters. Moments in the storyline also dragged or were a tad meaningless. For example, after coming across a portal, I assumed that the player character would enter a new world with exciting activities. At this point, I was eager for any action, to say the least. But instead, we end up in Shaaloani, following G’raha in his gunslinger quests. Ideally, the only consolation to the game’s pacing is to take up side quests. I found this refreshing and a deserving break from the slow pace. 

Fleshy Skeleton

The game provides ample breaks with numerous filler cutscenes between the extended storyline. However, this generosity can sometimes feel overwhelming. The sheer number of cutscenes in this expansion rivals, if not surpasses, those in Endwalker. Still, it’s hard to ignore that some scenes seem unnecessary and repetitive. While the fourth iteration in the series has always been dialogue-heavy, this expansion makes it particularly evident.

Truth be told, these cutscenes sometimes rob the action. Take, for instance, Wuk Lamat’s village kidnapping. It would have been more immersive to brawl alongside the characters rather than just watch from the sidelines.

As someone who isn’t a huge fan of cutscenes and tends to skip them, I find this approach a bit much. But if you relish these narrative snapshots, you’re in for a treat with Dawntrail.

A New Dawn

Now that we’ve covered most of the game’s drawbacks, let’s delve into some impressive features. First, let’s talk about the zone designs. Dawntrail really outdid itself here, making it a significant step up from its predecessors. The zone design is impeccable, with a much larger world to explore. The scenery is breathtaking. Tuliyollal, Urqopacha, Yak T’el, Kozama’uka, Heritage Found, and Living Memory are some of my favorite zones. Each one showcases unique, intricate designs and striking contrasts that make exploring a visual delight. The game’s use of color to create distinct levels is awe-inspiring. 

The only zone that feels a bit shallow is Shaaloani. This may be due to its arid regions and sparse vegetation. It also doesn’t have a burst of colour like the other zones. However, overall, the zones are true pieces of art, with each one offering something unique and captivating. The developers have clearly put a lot of thought into creating diverse and immersive environments. From the lush forests and more objects than we’ve previously seen from other expansions, I have to give props to Dawntrail. 

Moreover, the game introduces new duties, including Viper and Pictomancer. The former is a melee DPS where you wield two swords in combat. The latter has you fighting with an easel and rushing as a magical ranged DPS. The dungeons have also received an upgrade in terms of their difficulty, and so have the trials. 

The game’s soundtrack ties all this up neatly. Danwtrail’s adventures are set against diversified soundtracks that complement your journey. It’s not entirely an eargasm, but it does the job of easing you into the game, from jazz and electronic music to low-fi sounds. 

Ears Peeled to The Ground

It wouldn’t be a complete review without considering what the gaming community has to say. While the Steam review has been generally positive, users took to Reddit to share part of their disappointment with the expansion. 

A Subreddit (r/ffiv) asked franchise fans about their take on the expansion. One user said, “I was Lukewarm on it up until Dungeon 3 when I felt it really picked up, and I loved everything from there on. I do feel the dungeons are some of the best we have had. I love the first trial (not to the second one yet). The locations are also some of my favorites so far. It’s a solid 8.5 for me.”

Another user wasn’t particularly impressed by Wuk Lamat: “The art is nice… I did the two half zones, but I hated Wuk Lamat from the get-go. I play in Japanese audio, but her character and slapstick are so anime I can’t stand it. She belongs in the Hildibrand quest line. Also, the two-headed villain is just comically evil with all its stereotypes.”

StreyyK said: “I’ll be honest, I’m totally bored. I expected anime filler arc and that’s all I’m getting. I’m only playing on with the hope it gets better at some point. I have zero stake in anything and just feel like I’m being dragged along by everyone else. Also, really dislike that after everywhere we went in EW and everything we accomplished, somebody seems to have pushed a reset button, and it’s all forgotten. Why are people still questioning if I’m really all that? Why are the twins getting excited about a waterfall after everything they’ve been through? Why are we still getting bested in basic situations due to our own naivety? I don’t get it.”

Verdict

Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail is a mixed bag of experiences. On the one hand, it offers a captivating new storyline with intricate character development and stunning visuals that the franchise is known for. The expansion introduces exciting environments and gameplay mechanics that keep players engaged. However, it also has drawbacks, such as occasional pacing issues and repetitive quests that may not appeal to everyone. 

The choice of Wuk Lamat as the main character could make or break the gameplay for you. It doesn’t necessarily take away the sheer enjoyment, but the game does little to make her appear as a believable character. Plus, not forgetting how her character flies close to the anime stereotypes. While this could work for some people, it didn’t check any boxes for me.