Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward

 PC
User Score
9.1

Universal acclaim- based on 1083 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 989 out of 1083
  2. Mixed: 25 out of 1083
  3. Negative: 69 out of 1083
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  1. ScottyTB
    Jun 24, 2015
    9
    If you liked ARR then you will love this continuation of the story. Graphics and sound are unmatched in the mmo genre. Im enjoying this to the fullest. So much content has been added and Square Enix didnt skimp out on this xpac. Lots to offer here and it will help bring in newer players. Im looking forward to finishing the story and seeing what more they can do witb future patches.If you liked ARR then you will love this continuation of the story. Graphics and sound are unmatched in the mmo genre. Im enjoying this to the fullest. So much content has been added and Square Enix didnt skimp out on this xpac. Lots to offer here and it will help bring in newer players. Im looking forward to finishing the story and seeing what more they can do witb future patches. Long live subscription games, as long as they continue to deliver.

    This one does!    … Expand
  2. kronosys
    Jun 24, 2015
    10
    This is an outstanding expansion to an already outstanding MMORPG. The development team's passion for this game is apparent in every detail. If you love PVE and Story content, this isn't an expansion to be missed.
  3. Huckit
    Jun 24, 2015
    10
    As a former Mythic raider from wow turned casual mmorpg player, I enjoy ff14. The quest line is engaging and not just level grind. I like that the leveling takes time and at least feels rewarding. As a new player, I actually like that it makes me finish the story quest before Heavensward content, though it is not a popular opinion. Great improvements on classic tab target combat and theAs a former Mythic raider from wow turned casual mmorpg player, I enjoy ff14. The quest line is engaging and not just level grind. I like that the leveling takes time and at least feels rewarding. As a new player, I actually like that it makes me finish the story quest before Heavensward content, though it is not a popular opinion. Great improvements on classic tab target combat and the classes are all unique, unlike in wow, where they have molded together to be replaceable.… Expand
  4. PhantomDusk
    Jun 24, 2015
    10
    I made an account just to give this game a review, as I do not wish to users to be deceived by the score of 5.6. These scores of "1" are given from three different crowds.

    -WoW fanboys who want to see FF fail -People who are angry they need to do the Realm Reborn story to experience Heavensward. -Mac Users. I will try my best to give an objective review, outlining all the pros and    I made an account just to give this game a review, as I do not wish to users to be deceived by the score of 5.6. These scores of "1" are given from three different crowds.

    -WoW fanboys who want to see FF fail
    -People who are angry they need to do the Realm Reborn story to experience Heavensward.
    -Mac Users.

    I will try my best to give an objective review, outlining all the pros and cons of not only Heavensward but of A Realm Reborn.

    Presentation(10) - This right here is Heavensward's biggest strength. The story of this expansion is in my opinion, greater than any MMO I have ever played, even rivaled some of SWToR's stories. If you're a new player, the starting of the story is slow. I was meh about it, but the story keeps getting better and better. By the time I hit level 50, it was one of the best stories I'd seen in an MMO. By the time Heavensward came around and I experienced 50-60, the story rivaled that of the single player FFs.

    Gameplay(9.5) - This aspect right here is what will split players. There is a 2.5s GCD instead of 1.5s. This can make combat seem slower, and mistakes are punished more severely. It's really not that bad but it's all up to your tastes. The three new classes feel and play unique and flow well, though Machinist is a bit weak right now. The side quests are quick are easy, though more of the same fetch quests mostly. Dungeons and raids are fun to play. Crafting is deeper here than in any other MMO. You can switch classes simply by changing your weapon, so there is no need for alts.

    Content(9.5) Oh boy, is there a lot of quality content in Heavensward and Realm Reborn as well. Square Enix churns out content every three months.

    -25+ dungeons, all still relevant because of the duty roulette, a system that awards you experience and tomes at the end. Tomes are like tokens that buy raid gear.
    -A challenging 8 man raid with 13 wings(Coil of Bahamut.) This is the bleeding edge of their content, for the hardcore players. Two weeks from now, they come out with a new raid called Alexander. Four weeks from now, they come out with the Savage version of Alexander, a super hardcore punishing version of the raid.
    -Three 24 man raids that are all still done. They are not as challenging as the Coil of Bahamut, but they're not necessarily faceroll easy either.
    -Trials/Primals in Normal, Hard, and Extreme difficulty. Trials are a fight against a boss in a single room, no trash mobs. Primals is the same, but they are fights against the Gods of the FF world. These fights are amazing.
    -Guildhests. These are like tutorial quests that teach you the mechanics of the game. I believe there is a roulette for this as well, giving vets incentive to run these for tomes, thus helping newbies.
    -Levequests. These are quests you with timed objectives that you can activate at any time for good experience, and sometimes other bonuses.
    -Fates. Dynamic events that happen randomly in the world that give experience.
    -Gold Saucer. A casino type city that lets you participate in entertaining side games such as Triple Triad(a card game.) And chocobo racing.
    -Many pets and mounts to collect and farm in the world, along with a plethora of achievements.

    Honestly, 5,000 characters is not enough for me to list all of the content here. The only place I'd give their content a minus is in PvP. Restricting by faction kind of ruined it, and they treat it as a side gimmick, but their PvE content is spectacular.

    -Sound(10) You won't find better music in any MMO, I can guarantee you that. The voice acting in Realm Reborn was not the best, but progressively got better. I rated sound a 10 because the voice acting in Heavensward is 3x better. These sound like actual professional actors, they really portray the emotion.

    -Lasting Appeal(10) Unlike WoW where you farm your apexis crystals and then stay in your garrison, you will never run out of things to do in FF14. If anything, you may feel overwhelmed, as there will be too much for you to do, so you may have to choose a path at some point. Or just go with the flow enjoy the endless choices available to you at your own pace :). Having a lot of choice means casuals and hardcores both have content made for them.

    -Transition/Launch Issues(9.5) I've not seen an MMO launch this smoothly in awhile. Aside from issues on the first hour of EA, 90% of this launch has been playable for most players. The lobby is more unstable than the servers themselves, which are rock solid.

    I really wanted to write more, but alas, this is where I come to a close. A forewarning, you have to complete Realm Reborn's story before Heavensward. PvP is also not this game's strong suit. If that bothers you, this game is not for you. Mac client is horrible do not get it. Realm Reborn is very newbie friendly, eases new players in just right.

    So would you rather be farming apexis crystals for yet another recolored mount? Or enjoying the unrivaled adventure that is Heavensward? The choice is yours.    … Expand
  5. Ronivan
    Jun 23, 2015
    10
    Heavensward was an astonishing expansion to Final Fantasy Online. The new landscapes are just gorgeous with great ambiance. The new flying feature makes the game incredible, enabling fast area traveling and a new perspective to the landscapes. Soundtrack are just wondrous too. The game development made a great work, and expect great things to come.
  6. akumarage1
    Jun 23, 2015
    10
    Awesome expansion. Being a long time WoW vet, this is how you do added content. Not to mention the free content patches that add stories, dungeons, primals, gear ect after the fact. good job SE
  7. TristanX
    Sep 26, 2021
    9
    Slower battle system than WoW remains. Contents are better than ARR. Currently with unlimited time trial up to Lv60, this game is priceless. Plenty of quality cutscenes and new classes. Just buy after you are done with the trial.
  8. saintninja
    Dec 12, 2020
    10
    Dragons. Many Dragons. Many beautiful mighty Dragons and dark knight. Good drama story and perfect continue of main game
  9. ZodaSoda
    Dec 13, 2021
    10
    Heavensward takes everything the team started in ARR and expends upon it, their talents increasing as they go along, This expansion is exactly what you could ask for after ARR and the story in and of itself is something any JRPG fan cannot miss. The Raid series is still one of my favourites to this day and if you know the music, then you know.
  10. writethat
    Jul 23, 2021
    10
    I never thought an expansion for a MMORPG could make me feel so much emotion. All the praise Heavensward gets is well deserved, if anything, it deserves more. Absolute masterpiece.
  11. Latorn
    Sep 2, 2020
    10
    It took a long time to reach this point, but the quality of the game soared and as I continued playing it just got better and better. Now that Heavensward is included in the free version of FFXIV there is no reason a Final Fantasy fan shouldn't give it a try and experience one of the best Final Fantasy stories of the modern era.
  12. Kezian
    Jul 30, 2019
    10
    FF14 is amazing ! If you never played it, download the free trial and see for yourself !
  13. Wweald
    Dec 15, 2021
    9
    ARR was already quite good, but Heavensward was a big step up. The characters and the story were much more compelling. And the story of Heavensward didn't feel like it dragged on like ARRs did. I think the areas in Heavensward arent as good as Stormblood and Shadowbringers, and both of those beat it in the dungeon and trial department as well. Although Heavenswards are still very good asARR was already quite good, but Heavensward was a big step up. The characters and the story were much more compelling. And the story of Heavensward didn't feel like it dragged on like ARRs did. I think the areas in Heavensward arent as good as Stormblood and Shadowbringers, and both of those beat it in the dungeon and trial department as well. Although Heavenswards are still very good as well, much better than ARRs.… Expand
  14. MazrimTaim14
    Jul 31, 2022
    9
    this is were the game comes to its own. first time in 14 that i felt really playing a JRPG with the PC traveling with a band of companions

    story is great. and the game is starting to have the awesome moments

    judging the score based on ALL the content. main game and patches.

    end of 3.0 and 3.3 are there in the top moments for me.
  15. xavierboutot
    Apr 10, 2020
    10
    A major improvement from ARR. The story is more interesting and the character development goes even deeper. Compared to ARR, it feels like you are saving the world. Less stupid quests, which means less boredom and more fun overall. I would definitely recommend this expansion to any person who is interested in MMOs.
  16. Katzena
    Dec 12, 2021
    10
    This is one the best expansions for FF14. It helped me get way into the game. Its amazing
  17. Nohri
    Jun 7, 2020
    9
    An incredible development of arr that flows well with fun dungeons a great story that has you question what's going on. As well as some of my favourite bosses in a lot of games.
  18. Mohammed-alsheh
    Jun 21, 2020
    9
    outdated fights and dungeons , but amazing story and world i will not soon forget the awesome journey that is heavensward and neither should you .
  19. candidKlutz
    Apr 30, 2022
    10
    HW is the critically acclaimed expansion for a reason. By god am I glad that it was included in the free trial. As much as I did actually enjoy ARR, i might not have continued if it weren't for how insanely good HW is. The story of this expansion starts off strong on the heels of the post ARR content, and it only gets better and better.
  20. HomeroomTeacher
    Jul 28, 2020
    8
    Story wise this patch is currently the best for me while I'm writing this review, however I'm not finished with Shadowbringers yet. I enjoyed the lore so much, I rather slept 4-5 hours a day just to make progression. Significant jump after ARR both in production quality and gameplay or instances. Downsides is the pack of many filler quests which sometimes break the pacing of the game,Story wise this patch is currently the best for me while I'm writing this review, however I'm not finished with Shadowbringers yet. I enjoyed the lore so much, I rather slept 4-5 hours a day just to make progression. Significant jump after ARR both in production quality and gameplay or instances. Downsides is the pack of many filler quests which sometimes break the pacing of the game, hence I deducted two points from the game (and also there's still no quality PvP content). Flying mounts are a great idea, but goes pretty much useless, as you can only fly in an area after you finished main story quests for that region.… Expand
  21. chocletymilk
    Mar 21, 2021
    9
    Heavensward. Was. Amazing. As someone that installed FFXIV just because I was bored and everyone said the free trial included a lot, Heavensward was what made me an absolute fan (and convinced me to buy the complete edition). The graphics improved, the new characters you meet in HW are still some of my all time favorites in the FF universe. There is a lot more voice acting than in ARR, andHeavensward. Was. Amazing. As someone that installed FFXIV just because I was bored and everyone said the free trial included a lot, Heavensward was what made me an absolute fan (and convinced me to buy the complete edition). The graphics improved, the new characters you meet in HW are still some of my all time favorites in the FF universe. There is a lot more voice acting than in ARR, and the missions and storyline are notoriously better written. It really got me on the edge of my seat at times and ontroduced a lot of new mechanics and fights that I didn't even imagine would be in this game. It also made me cry and get attached to the new characters. The new cities you discover are AMAZING.

    An amazing continuation to ARR and definitely the expansion that made me fall in love with FFXIV.

    And for free included with the free trial as of 2020!!!    … Expand
  22. TPLaMar
    Aug 22, 2021
    10
    Playing this first expansion this is a 10/10 easily. I can’t wait to see how the next 3 expansions progress. I’m all in.
  23. Drely
    Aug 23, 2021
    9
    This game is so awsome! I'm enjoying every minute of it. Can't wait to reach Shadowbringers!
  24. Rodmund
    Nov 25, 2021
    10
    Отличное продолжение. Продолжайте в том же духе!
  25. LastResource
    Jan 14, 2023
    10
    worth it and glad to play this game again. so much memories and nostalgia within this fourteenth game in the series. this expansion is breathtaking!
  26. NN010
    Jan 29, 2023
    9
    Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward is a solid expansion & a huge step up over A Realm Reborn in terms of story, but it does still have some pacing issues and you can still see some growing pains in some respects.
  27. Roka
    Apr 1, 2023
    10
    Oh, Heavensward, how do I love thee? This expansion is a masterpiece that will take you on an emotional journey unlike any other. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll be left in awe of the incredible storytelling.

    The story follows the Wol as they journey into the uncharted lands of Ishgard, where they'll face new challenges and meet new friends (and enemies). But it's the emotional    Oh, Heavensward, how do I love thee? This expansion is a masterpiece that will take you on an emotional journey unlike any other. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll be left in awe of the incredible storytelling.

    The story follows the Wol as they journey into the uncharted lands of Ishgard, where they'll face new challenges and meet new friends (and enemies). But it's the emotional journey that really sets Heavensward apart.

    And let's talk about the characters, shall we? Haurchefant is one of the greatest characters you'll ever come across in a video game. He's charming, loyal, and just a tad bit naive. You'll fall in love with him from the moment you meet him, and his fate will leave you heartbroken. But that's the beauty of Heavensward - it's not afraid to take you on an emotional rollercoaster.

    The gameplay is as fantastic as ever. The music is also top-notch, with some of the best tracks in the entire Final Fantasy series.

    Overall, Heavensward is a must-play for any Final Fantasy fan or MMO enthusiast. It's a beautifully crafted expansion that will take you on an unforgettable journey.    … Expand
  28. Zinr
    Apr 2, 2023
    9
    One of the expansion's greatest strengths is its characters. Aymeric, Alphinaud, Estinien, and Haurchefant are just a few of the incredible personalities that players will encounter along the way. In particular, Haurchefant is a truly wonderful character, one whose kindness and selflessness will touch the hearts of even the most jaded players. His story arc is one of the most emotional andOne of the expansion's greatest strengths is its characters. Aymeric, Alphinaud, Estinien, and Haurchefant are just a few of the incredible personalities that players will encounter along the way. In particular, Haurchefant is a truly wonderful character, one whose kindness and selflessness will touch the hearts of even the most jaded players. His story arc is one of the most emotional and memorable I have ever seen in a game. I simply love that guy.

    Heavensward is an incredible expansion that builds on the strengths of the base game while adding new layers of depth and complexity. With its engaging characters and emotional story Heavensward is a must-play.    … Expand
  29. Imopsie
    Apr 7, 2023
    10
    Heavensward had a breathtaking story, and I really wish I could play it again completely from scratch just to experience the story again.
    The characters in this expansion, especially Haurchefant, of course, were simply amazing, and the story has both heartwarming moments and ones that tear your heart apart because they are so sad. Overall, it's just a great expansion.
  30. Anthonyi
    Apr 7, 2023
    10
    Heavensward is a stunning expansion to an already incredible game. From start to finish, the expansion immerses you in a world of magic, wonder, and intrigue that will leave you spellbound.

    The expansion features an engaging storyline that builds upon the events of A Realm Reborn. From the mysterious Ascians to the political machinations of the Ishgardian nobility, there's always    Heavensward is a stunning expansion to an already incredible game. From start to finish, the expansion immerses you in a world of magic, wonder, and intrigue that will leave you spellbound.

    The expansion features an engaging storyline that builds upon the events of A Realm Reborn. From the mysterious Ascians to the political machinations of the Ishgardian nobility, there's always something new and exciting happening in the world of Eorzea. And Heavensward has Haurchefant. He alone is worth a 10/10.
    The addition of new dungeons, and raids also adds a new level of depth to the gameplay, providing even more ways to explore and conquer the game's many challenges.

    Of course, it wouldn't be a Final Fantasy game without a memorable cast of characters, and Heavensward delivers in spades. From the enigmatic dragon Nidhogg to the valiant Ishgardian knights, the game's NPCs are richly drawn and full of personality, making it easy to get invested in their struggles and triumphs.

    Heavensward is an outstanding expansion that takes an already good game to new heights. With its engaging storyline, and memorable characters, it's a must-play for fans of the franchise and MMORPGs in general.    … Expand
  31. artimis
    Mar 13, 2017
    10
    Final Fantasy 14: Heavensward is an amazing addition to an already amazing game. Adding on to the already best mmo on the market, this expansion adds a load of new content to the game. To the new battles,races,classes, exc, theirs something for everyone to do and injoy. from hardcore raiding to casual fun, to the amazing and beautiful graphics, games well worth the subscription.

    Story    Final Fantasy 14: Heavensward is an amazing addition to an already amazing game. Adding on to the already best mmo on the market, this expansion adds a load of new content to the game. To the new battles,races,classes, exc, theirs something for everyone to do and injoy. from hardcore raiding to casual fun, to the amazing and beautiful graphics, games well worth the subscription.

    Story 10/10
    Graphics 10/10
    Combat 10/10
    Endgame 10/10
    Music 10/10
    replay ability 10/10    … Expand
  32. Ogie
    Aug 7, 2016
    9
    Graphic

    FF XIV is MMORPG based on really fabulous graphic. All characters are well made and look so real. Open world here is really huge and everything is detailed made. World Hyadelyn and its beauty will devour you. Flowers, trees, animals, everything looks great. World, progressive weather, everything looks so much realistic. Equally good and maybe even better are cities, which look    Graphic

    FF XIV is MMORPG based on really fabulous graphic. All characters are well made and look so real. Open world here is really huge and everything is detailed made. World Hyadelyn and its beauty will devour you. Flowers, trees, animals, everything looks great. World, progressive weather, everything looks so much realistic. Equally good and maybe even better are cities, which look magnificently and they are very detailed made aswell. FFXIV has many strong sides, anyway its graphic is one of the strongest part of the game. Graphic quality of FF XIV is definitely currently number #1 in MMORPGs.

    10/10

    Customization

    The game has a lot of possibilities how to create your character exactly how you want to. Even when character creator is not overcrowded of possibilities, there are more than enough to choose what you want. I did not miss anything special. Color palette is really huge, so you can choose the exact hue you really want to. In game we can find many costumes, weapons, accessories, etc. which you can make, drop or buy for your character (depends what you want of course). FF XIV has pretty decent housing system. You have your own room available from every innkeeper in the game and you can even buy another room from your free company (guild) house. Both u can edit as you like and put there some decorations. Customization of FF XIV is more than decent and most of you will like it a lot.

    9/10

    Combat system

    Combat system in FF XIV is very traditional. Players have many abilities and they use classic "tab" targeting. Basically the combat system is not bad, it still work quite well, it can feel a bit slow though. I have no big problem with FF's combat system, anyway a bit of innovation would be probably good.

    8/10

    Game content

    FF XIV has good potential focused on PvE. In the game there is even possibility PvP which received a bit of enhancement in HW, but the game feels a lot of like mainly focused on PvE, which is good by the way. There are so many dungeons in whole game, many of them are for leveling or for quests, others are for end game. End game is focused on a lot of on collecting points every week, which you can spend for gear. We can find in game another group content called Trial, there you will face one boss and your reward can be weapon, armor, accessories or in some of them even mount. Main game raid is constructed for 8 players and have 2 difficulties. The hard one is really challenging for hardcore and semi-hardcore players. Another kind of PvE event are FATEs, which spawn on every map and people can do them alone or in groups. Currently the main function of fates are just leveling. Game content is quite good in FF XIV, there are a lot of possibilities what you can do, it tends to be a bit repeatable though, anyway to be honest every MMORPG tends to be repetable/ farmable.

    8/10

    Story

    Story is in many MMORPGs something what is not priority and usually it is pretty bad. That is not case of FF XIV. Here we can find long main scenario quest line, where you can see huge improvement since the game has started until now. Especially HW's story is simply amazing. Definitely the best MMORPG story I have ever seen. There are many character and you will like them a lot (at least many of them lol), after short while you will see that you are in the story. Story line is enhanced by many awesome cutscenes. This is definitely another very strong part of FF XIV.

    10/10

    Music

    Music is something what Square Enix has always amazing. FF XIV is not different. FF XIV: ARR's theme song was so much amazing, Heavensward's main song is at least equally good. Many of in game songs are catchy and relaxing. Music part is just simply excelent in FF XIV.

    9/10

    Value

    Value of game is good for me. It is definitely one of the top MMORPGs and even when it uses subscription model I can see high quality game for our money. To be honest I think it would be even worthy game if you would just play it's amazing story, which give you over 60 hours of story fun. Developers upgrade their content a lot, so the game doesn't feel static at all. If you like progressive and challenging PvE content, this game is definitely what you are searching for.

    Overal: 8,5    … Expand
  33. ValValentine
    Jun 27, 2015
    10
    Amazing!, all you could ask from any MMORPG or a FF series game, great Main Story full of CS-voice, dynamic events (FATES), great music, traditional questing more relevant now, beautiful and HUGE new maps, great dungeons and new primals. All jobs got new skills, 3 new jobs, flying feels great, new FC (guilds) options. 10/10
  34. Gulruthina
    Jun 24, 2015
    10
    Good expansion! Must buy if you're a returning player or a hardcore FF fan. Good story, awesome soundtrack, amazing graphics, new primals/raids and many more!
  35. Runeforged
    Jun 25, 2015
    10
    The best MMO on the market just got a-lot better. Don't listen to these whiny crybabies about having to finish the story quests in order. OMG it's so hard to actually have to go through the story!! They just want everything given to them for free like the spoiled brats they are.

    Look, FF14 is a fantastic MMO that strikes the perfect balance between not being too inconvenient while    The best MMO on the market just got a-lot better. Don't listen to these whiny crybabies about having to finish the story quests in order. OMG it's so hard to actually have to go through the story!! They just want everything given to them for free like the spoiled brats they are.

    Look, FF14 is a fantastic MMO that strikes the perfect balance between not being too inconvenient while maintaining challenge. As a big MMO fan, this is easily the best on the market by far. Give it a shot and you'll see.    … Expand
  36. Icyflamez
    Jun 25, 2015
    10
    Amazing story and music, worthy of the Final Fantasy name! Massive new zones that, even with flying, make the ARR zones look tiny! Massive amount of content including eight new dungeons, 2 new primal fights with both hard (story) and extreme difficulties, three new jobs, and in a couple weeks there will be a new hardcore 8-man raid with both a 'normal' and 'savage' difficulty! All in allAmazing story and music, worthy of the Final Fantasy name! Massive new zones that, even with flying, make the ARR zones look tiny! Massive amount of content including eight new dungeons, 2 new primal fights with both hard (story) and extreme difficulties, three new jobs, and in a couple weeks there will be a new hardcore 8-man raid with both a 'normal' and 'savage' difficulty! All in all this expansion hit the nail firmly on its head and is a must buy!… Expand
  37. MisaCeliousa
    Jun 25, 2015
    10
    Amazing expansion, added quite many beautiful areas, the flying feels fluid and amazing, the 3 new jobs are well made and fits right into the world.

    The story feels exciting and well thought out, excited to see future patches ^^
  38. Sensin
    Jun 23, 2015
    10
    Beautifully made expansion, best expansion ever added to any MMORPG! Square Enix has done it again, amazing graphics, great storytelling, an all around fantastic experience. Best MMO out there and deserves all the praise it gets. 10/10
  39. VBlake73
    Jun 25, 2015
    10
    If there was any doubt that Square-Enix can spin a tale with the best of them, Heavensward removes it with no effort at all. While A Realm Reborn got the basics right and provided a decent story, Heavensward took the baton and showed us how an MMORPG should be done, with heavy emphasis on the RPG.

    If you like expansive areas, you'll be in for a treat. Every new area makes the ARR areas    If there was any doubt that Square-Enix can spin a tale with the best of them, Heavensward removes it with no effort at all. While A Realm Reborn got the basics right and provided a decent story, Heavensward took the baton and showed us how an MMORPG should be done, with heavy emphasis on the RPG.

    If you like expansive areas, you'll be in for a treat. Every new area makes the ARR areas look small by comparison. Certain quests also require flight to complete, adding to the exploration experience.

    I can happily say that, in terms of difficulty, SE did not go overboard in making overworld monsters more challenging. They take longer to do away with and require more active skill but they are by no means cheap or unforgiving as far as mechanics go. Striking this balance could not have been easy for SE developers so they deserve a great deal of credit for giving players a challenge without scaring off players who might not be as advanced.

    Overall, SE has masterfully achieved an expansion that builds upon FFXIV in ways that makes us anticipate the next.    … Expand
  40. Malignity
    Jun 27, 2015
    10
    Quite possibly the best expansion I have ever witnessed. I understand there have been issues on certain servers. As with all launches that is to be expected. The Story continues from ARR with a darker tone, that has held my interest the entire time. The classes and abilities have added a lot of new ways to expand on the current battle system. Looking forward to how they incorporate thisQuite possibly the best expansion I have ever witnessed. I understand there have been issues on certain servers. As with all launches that is to be expected. The Story continues from ARR with a darker tone, that has held my interest the entire time. The classes and abilities have added a lot of new ways to expand on the current battle system. Looking forward to how they incorporate this into the Alexander Raid. FC house workshop has a lot of potential to bring crafters together. In my FC it already has. Very excited to see what else 3.0 will build upon with all the new foundations paved down at launch. I will say that the difficulty of the mobs out in the open world are a little underwhelming. It is true that they are just increased with an HP Pool. I feel like the AOE telegraphs might be a little quicker,(definitely in dungeons) but they are still easy to dodge. I don't feel that threatened soloing the quest objectives. As a WHM I can take on 4+ mobs no problem. I'm sure it is more difficult without sleep and heals, but I get the general idea that people aren't getting held up against a pack of mobs. I personally only read and pay attention to the story quests, as the side quests generally are fill fetch quests, that become redundant. There's so much to this game and the community is the best I've been a part of, since the Vanilla days of WoW.… Expand
  41. APOD
    Jan 13, 2016
    8
    I'm Probably NOT the best gamer in the world. But man I love gaming.
    We had a first look at Final Fantasy XIV (14).
    I was just thrown in to an awesome adventure. Cool characters and awesome creatures are waiting for you in this MMORPG. ◄ POSITIVES ► ♥ Deep and detailed storytelling. ♥ Appealing graphics. ♥ Lots of customization abilities. ♥ Cross platforms (Players on    I'm Probably NOT the best gamer in the world. But man I love gaming.
    We had a first look at Final Fantasy XIV (14).

    I was just thrown in to an awesome adventure.
    Cool characters and awesome creatures are waiting for you in this MMORPG.

    ◄ POSITIVES ►
    ♥ Deep and detailed storytelling.
    ♥ Appealing graphics.
    ♥ Lots of customization abilities.
    ♥ Cross platforms (Players on Playstation can play online with PC players).
    ♥ Play with a game pad or use mouse & keyboard.

    ◄ NEGATIVES ►
    ● Confusing map system. You don't know where to go.
    ● Sometimes there is no music.
    ● Some times there are voice over to the cut scenes, some times there isn't.

    View my "First look at - Final Fantasy XIV" video here:
    https://youtu.be/tyM87VAmfvg    … Expand
  42. BrinZalazar
    Jul 2, 2015
    10
    Wow, this expansion has been amazing. Fans of Final Fantasy, and/or fans of MMOs should really check out this game and this expansion.

    A must own for anyone who has played FFXIV. I've been playing from 1.0 and under the leadership of Yoshi-P this game is just fantastic. :) Buy it, and kick back and enjoy yourself. I play on both the PS4 and the PC, really hoping this game comes to    Wow, this expansion has been amazing. Fans of Final Fantasy, and/or fans of MMOs should really check out this game and this expansion.

    A must own for anyone who has played FFXIV. I've been playing from 1.0 and under the leadership of Yoshi-P this game is just fantastic. :)

    Buy it, and kick back and enjoy yourself. I play on both the PS4 and the PC, really hoping this game comes to the XBOX One. :)    … Expand
  43. MaxDetroit
    Jul 4, 2015
    10
    Great main storyline, great characters, nice twists. And do not forget about the good sense of humor in this one. Flying in around in the new areas is amazing. Atmosphere, details, graphics over all are great. It's more of the same great stuff, that made "A Realm Reborn" so enjoyable, but this time twice as good.
  44. KluyaAether
    Jul 21, 2015
    10
    It is in my opinion after playing FF14 HW and ARR, that Square Enix is the Disney of the Video Game industry. They should seriously have their own storefronts. They made their characters come alive. Its not easy for me to get emotionally involved with characters from a video game, but these guys did it. The music score was phenomenal and so were the graphics. I definately recommend aIt is in my opinion after playing FF14 HW and ARR, that Square Enix is the Disney of the Video Game industry. They should seriously have their own storefronts. They made their characters come alive. Its not easy for me to get emotionally involved with characters from a video game, but these guys did it. The music score was phenomenal and so were the graphics. I definately recommend a MMO/RPG fan playing this game.… Expand
  45. Malackai
    Jul 23, 2015
    10
    I completely agree with PhantomDusk review and it pretty much summed up my feelings on this game in better words that I can describe myself.

    However it would not be a review if I don't state some things myself. Little background I have played WoW for nearly 10 years. I joined FF14 Reborn when it came out and I enjoyed the game greatly even back then. Unfortunately the launch collided    I completely agree with PhantomDusk review and it pretty much summed up my feelings on this game in better words that I can describe myself.

    However it would not be a review if I don't state some things myself.
    Little background I have played WoW for nearly 10 years. I joined FF14 Reborn when it came out and I enjoyed the game greatly even back then.
    Unfortunately the launch collided pretty much with the SoO patch of WoW and because I was still in a raiding guild the game fell to the background.
    I never stopped paying a sub for it, kept an eye on it and logged in short periods of time to do the holiday events etc.
    Then Warlord of Draenor came out, played a little I stopped raiding (simply could not stomach the raid) saw my guild collapse a couple of months in.
    Simply stayed around for sentiment and then I heard of Heavensward being released, decided that if I wanted to start up again the Free company was simply a must for me.
    I found one and I simply got sucked right in to the game.
    My first thought after playing a week was “Why the hell didn't I made the jump earlier” I am actually enjoying myself again.

    Now that Heavensward has been released my impressions of the game.
    -Story- (10/10)
    The story is simply superb like others have stated it does start slow pre level 30 but I was already around level 40 when I picked it back up and the pre 30 story never really bothered me.
    Some tears were shed already and the expansion is just starting.

    -Classes- (9,5/10)
    The new classed are looking promising haven't really tried them out yet besides unlocking them. I am simply to preoccupied by playing my main class atm.
    and that brings me to point 3 content.

    -Content- (10/10)
    Holy smokes so much to do! And most important content I actually find drawn too and is fun to do.
    I actually have to make a decision for myself when I log on what I am going to do else I get simply overwhelmed or distracted.
    I guess if you're really only in for raiding then content might be more sparse. But if you like gathering, crafting, playing games (gold saucer),
    levelling additional classes etc then there is enough to do you can level all classes and crafting/gathering on 1 character!
    Example yesterday I decided to pick up my relic quest again (its basically outdated but I like the weapon it gives).
    For people familiar with WoW this is basicly a legendary quest chain and it involves some serious grinding.
    I am on the part I had to get items from Fates (basicly little events that spawn all over the map for all people).
    Brilliant part is the quest actually also makes you to go back to lower level areas as well instead of making everything max level only also it also incorporate Crafting and the primal trials and quests al over the world. Instead of WoW's Raid only approach.
    So there I was fully decked out running through low level zones doing fates, btw you get scaled down in level when you join one. Another brilliant way to keep things relevant.
    I saw so many green sprouts(new players) running around the world just felt alive.
    That brings me to point 4 this game is very friendly for new players because of the scaling system you get synced to the level of the dungeons, fates etc.
    So a high lv player can always help a low lv player out and it also helps if you have a friend that wants to start the game as well.
    Plus the FF team pumps out content patches every 3 months that keeps things flowing.
    Since release we already had 2 mini patches (first raid unlocked and savage mode unlock, new pvp zone, new gear mounts recipes etc) And if I understand correctly the first big patch is slated for August/September.

    -Content part 2-
    Different part is most of the contents is intertwined with the story. don't expect to roll a class grind fates till max level and then queue for a raid.
    Dungeons are unlocked by the story, primal trials as well and the raids have a quest chain to unlock them some more elaborate than others.
    Also hard mode dungeons exist make no mistake this is not the same as WoW Heroic dungeons. Hardmode dungeons are usually continuations of stories related to the normal modes
    They have a different path and different bosses in them (sometimes you can see the old paths collapsed or barricaded and you're being led into a new part of the dungeon.)    … Expand
  46. Benedict_x
    Jul 23, 2015
    10
    The expansion requires you to complete the main story of ARR and that's a good thing cause this is a Final Fantasy game. That means aside from the breathtaking graphics and the soul uplifting music there is a cpativating narrative behind it.

    Who is this game for? Final Fantasy fans & people looking to dip thier toes into a mordern day MMO. Who is it isn't for? People carrying    The expansion requires you to complete the main story of ARR and that's a good thing cause this is a Final Fantasy game. That means aside from the breathtaking graphics and the soul uplifting music there is a cpativating narrative behind it.

    Who is this game for? Final Fantasy fans & people looking to dip thier toes into a mordern day MMO.

    Who is it isn't for? People carrying unrealistic expectations from their experience in playing older MMOs & toxic gamers. Latter especially. Please stay away from this game.    … Expand
  47. DYEGameBro
    Jul 24, 2015
    9
    The expansion has you continually experiencing new and exciting twists in the game system, and the amount of things to do and experiment with is simply mind-boggling.

    This is a testament to just how passionate Naoki Yoshida and his team are about this game, and how willing they were to make things right after the original Final Fantasy XIV MMO launch turned out to be a catastrophe. This    The expansion has you continually experiencing new and exciting twists in the game system, and the amount of things to do and experiment with is simply mind-boggling.

    This is a testament to just how passionate Naoki Yoshida and his team are about this game, and how willing they were to make things right after the original Final Fantasy XIV MMO launch turned out to be a catastrophe. This appears to be reflected in the player base too, with ARR being one of square Enix’s highest grossing titles. I have dabbled in many MMOs over the years, but Final Fantasy XIV still remains my favourite, and the new world of Heavensward takes everything that has made the title so good over the past two years and dials it up to eleven.

    If you are prepared to invest a lot of hours into a game that continually rewards you, I can’t think of anything else out there right now better deserving of your time.

    www.doyouevengamebro.net    … Expand
  48. LagunaNoctis
    Jun 23, 2015
    9
    It doesn't feel like an expansion, it feels like a full fledged JRPG. The music is fantastic, the story is interesting, the new areas are vast and pretty to look at, and the new content is gives a much welcome challenge to veteran players.

    Easily one of the best Themepark MMOs you can play today.
  49. rpg4life
    Jul 24, 2015
    10
    IM SO GLAD I SWITCHED FROM WOW TO THIS GAME. The story is amazing. I love how you have to unlock jobs and that there are cross class skills to give you that extra boost if you wanna go for those for those of you reading this that have not played this game at all yet. The only thing this game really lacks is in pvp but for anyone that is pure pve and dungeon raiding this game is for you!IM SO GLAD I SWITCHED FROM WOW TO THIS GAME. The story is amazing. I love how you have to unlock jobs and that there are cross class skills to give you that extra boost if you wanna go for those for those of you reading this that have not played this game at all yet. The only thing this game really lacks is in pvp but for anyone that is pure pve and dungeon raiding this game is for you! The 3 new jobs this expansion pack added are pretty fun too and very complicated unlike wow and its sad rotations in raids. The only unfortunate part is if your new to the game you need to get to 50 and completely finish the story line up to this expansion then you can use the new jobs, which will start you off back at level 30. But in reality you shouldnt be touching them till you get used to the game anyways.… Expand
  50. Kennyamr
    Jul 2, 2015
    10
    This is the continuation of the A Realm Reborn story arc. This directly follows what happens next after the great finale of ARR. Story is even better than what it was before the expansion.The addition of the new jobs has expanded the ways of players to run through content and the new abilities included in ALL jobs are giving us the change to reimagine our rotations and create new ways toThis is the continuation of the A Realm Reborn story arc. This directly follows what happens next after the great finale of ARR. Story is even better than what it was before the expansion.The addition of the new jobs has expanded the ways of players to run through content and the new abilities included in ALL jobs are giving us the change to reimagine our rotations and create new ways to play. The new areas are really really large and they make you work to be able to fly, it is a bit of a pain at first but as soon as you are allowed to fly, Oh, man you will LOVE it! the story is amazing again and all of the new adjustments are very very good in general. I am very happy with the expansion and I'm looking forward to finally beat Alexander when it comes out next week! Good luck fellow adventurers!… Expand
  51. Starlord
    Aug 1, 2015
    10
    FFXIV is at it's core a Story Driven game. the ones that gave it a low score, don't seem to have beat the entire Expansion. So much feels this story arc had, People I liked a lot within the story have passed on, The music accompanied with key moments of Heavensward either got me crying or got me pumped up for the next battle.

    Flying in Heavensward is so fluid and fun to do, along with    FFXIV is at it's core a Story Driven game. the ones that gave it a low score, don't seem to have beat the entire Expansion. So much feels this story arc had, People I liked a lot within the story have passed on, The music accompanied with key moments of Heavensward either got me crying or got me pumped up for the next battle.

    Flying in Heavensward is so fluid and fun to do, along with the new theme when on certain mounts feels like a sense of adventure!

    If I am going to review this game, I am going to do it knowing what the core of this game is founded on ( It's story) and I give very few games a 10/10 but man this game surely gave me all the feels that I thought the train would never end!

    Great job SE/Yoshida! Keeping the awesome storytelling a flowing!    … Expand
  52. Keyxlime
    Jun 27, 2023
    10
    El equipo se lucio con esta primera expansion. Facilmente podria ser un juego individual de Final Fantasy. La historia, el soundtrack y la manera en la que trabajaron las cinematicas es de 100. Y el contenido Post-game solo se pone mejor. Cierta questline del Post-HW tiene una historia y tematica digna de Volver al Futuro
  53. Light_Ain
    Jul 25, 2023
    10
    The story went up a ton in the first expansion, really is just so good and big improvement from the slow start of the first part of the game.
  54. Unoskd
    Sep 7, 2023
    8
    The quality of the story took a massive leap forward from ARR to Heavensward.
    A leading factor for this, of course, is the character Haurchefant and his fate, which likely affected many players.
    However, I must say that although it was a very impactful experience, it felt incredibly unnecessary to me. It would have been so easy as a player to intervene and prevent it, but instead, you    The quality of the story took a massive leap forward from ARR to Heavensward.
    A leading factor for this, of course, is the character Haurchefant and his fate, which likely affected many players.
    However, I must say that although it was a very impactful experience, it felt incredibly unnecessary to me. It would have been so easy as a player to intervene and prevent it, but instead, you just stand there and just watch it unfold.
    I imagine that as a tank or healer, you'd feel particularly foolish in that scene. So, it's quite frustrating in a way, but FF14 is obviously not Baldur's Gate 3, where you can act freely. Accordingly, you have no choice when the developers decide that you have to behave questionably in certain moments.

    Nonetheless, a really good expansion. 8/10 points.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Best PC Game of 2015
48
#48 Most Discussed PC Game of 2015
61
#61 Most Shared PC Game of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. RPG Fan
    Nov 5, 2015
    95
    An extensive and well-planned expansion that makes Eorzea an ever-more compelling place to get lost in.
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  2. USgamer
    Aug 14, 2015
    90
    In addition to flying, players get an all-new storyline, new Primals, a brand-new raid dungeon, and three new jobs to level up. FFXIV still retains a few annoying issues here and there, but Heavensward is one of the best MMO expansions I've played.
    Read full review
  3. GameCritics
    Aug 9, 2015
    75
    The music is often phenomenal, the translation and dialogue are exquisite, and the world is one that's worth spending time in. However, it's all based on grind-heavy gameplay, and it's still subscription based. My advice is to buy it, burn through the new content, and then put it aside until the next substantial expansion is released.
    Read full review
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