Summary
It’s been almost 11 years sinceA Relam RebornrelaunchedFinal Fantasy 14and changed the MMO gaming landscape. Thanks toDawntrail, the latestFFXIVexpansion, there’s a whole host of new things to do - dungeons, hunts, dailies, and even two new jobs to try out.FFXIVhas always done a solid job of making its expansions add meaningful new content, andDawntrailis no different, but after playing the game for over a decade, it’s finally taught me a valuable lesson about MMOs.
Despite being a divisive entry,I’ve adoredFFXIV:Dawntrailfor the most part. The last third of the game didn’t really click with me, but I still found it enjoyable. More than that, the new dungeons and trials have been some of the best included inFinal Fantasy 14to date. The new jobs - Pictomancer and Viper - are also pretty fun. The Expert-level dungeons are highlights following what’s arguably the best Main Scenario Quest dungeons seen in anFFXIVexpansion. Even after the MSQ is done, though, there are plenty of things to do.
Everything You Can Do In Dawntrail After Beating The MSQ
FFXIV Dailies, Roulettes, Hunts, And More
The new Expert-leveldungeons inDawntrailare excellent. All are for level 100 characters and come with interesting mechanics and great aesthetics. Alexandria, technically the final dungeon in the MSQ, is a nice callback toFinal Fantasy 9.Tender Valley has bosses with some fun mechanics and is full of one ofFF’s best recurring creatures - cactuars. And then there’s The Strayborough Deadwalk, basically a stroll through a haunted carnival (and let’s be honest, asDonkey Kong Country 2once proved, haunted carnivals make great levels in video games).
Now, thanks to one of the minor post-Dawntrailupdates, anew raid called the Arcadionis also available to try out. This futuristic fighting arena in Solution Nine might be the toughest Normal Raid thatFFXIVhas ever had, but the mechanics of each fight are still fun because they’re so challenging. Plus, the weekly gear drops aren’t too shabby, either.
FFXIV: Dawntrail’s Main Scenario Quest Has A Huge Oversight For One Job
FFXIV: Dawntrail could’ve added some extra spice to the first half of its MSQ by including one specific group that plays a role in this job’s quests.
The various Duty Roulettes are great for grinding all the new Tomes (and getting new gear) with your level-100 character, but they can also be used for leveling up alt jobs - including the two new ones. Then there are the new Dawn Hunts, marked bills that unlock over the course of the MSQ until Elite Marks can finally be unlocked. Of course, for those who want something non-combat-related to enjoy, there’s also a new Sightseeing Log with over 40 locations to find.
FFXIV: Dawntrail Has A Little Something For Everyone
But Dailies Can Be Distracting
I love all the new content inFFXIV, just like I’ve loved the new constant in past expansions. Over the course of the last 11 years of playing the MMO, I’ve gotten to level up dozens of jobs, spent hours perfecting my Island Sanctuary, and pooled gil with my real-life friends to afford a nice house for our Free Company back in 2014. Over the last decade, I’ve also sunk a ton of time into dailies and grinding things that really don’t matter.
I spent dozens of hours grinding for Atmas inA Realm Reborn, and now that content is pretty much meaningless (and thankfully nerfed). Back then, I thought I had to do everythingFFXIVhad to offer. Andwhile the MMO has since become more balanced, there are still grinds and still a lot of dailiesthat can become major time sinkholes. Despite how greatDawntrailis, I’ve decided not to stress about it so much anymore.
Over the last decade, I’ve also sank a ton of time into dailies and grinding things that really don’t matter.
The Arcadion raids are great, but I’m not too concerned with getting my weekly drops. I grinded Dawn Hunts pretty quickly - long enough to get the new chocobo barding - and then cooled on that. The Elite Mark still gets taken down every week, but I’m less concerned with crossing off every mark from the various daily bills. Society quests have also taken a backseat, although I’m sure I’ll do them every day onceDawntrail’s get here.
It’s Okay To Only Do The Content You Love
Do FFXIV Content That’s Fun For You
It’s great thatFFXIVhas so much content, but MMOs can get increasingly overwhelming as they add more content and get further into their lifespans. What I’ve learned most is that I just do the content that I find most fun. FATEs were never really my jam, and so I barely do them anymore - even if there are some nice rewards and achievements. I haven’t worried about the Gold Saucer in years. I’ll do all my Duty Roulettes if I feel up to it, but I no longer stress about doing it every single day.
It’s not an issue withFFXIV; it’s an issue with me. I just don’t have the time to do everything anymore. And if you prefer to do it all, that’s great. If you prefer doing less, that’s cool too. It’s easy to feel like you have to do everything an MMO offers, but that’s not really the case withFFXIV. Do Savage raids, spend hours in PvP, or just go pet animals in your Island Sanctuary. Chill outside your house and craft for a bit. And that’s the real lesson I’ve finally learned after playingFinal Fantasy 14: Dawntrail- an MMO is what we make it.
