Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers

 PC
User Score
9.1

Universal acclaim- based on 1547 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,419 out of 1547
  2. Mixed: 26 out of 1547
  3. Negative: 102 out of 1547

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  1. Unoskd
    Sep 7, 2023
    8
    Even though I'm not a fan of suddenly having to play in an entirely different world, this expansion is very solid and introduces us for the first time to Emet-Selch, an Ascian and the great-grandfather of Zenos.
    This, of course, made me hopeful that we'd finally learn more about the prince's past and so on, but again, no such luck. We did see Zenos here and there, but we're still left in    Even though I'm not a fan of suddenly having to play in an entirely different world, this expansion is very solid and introduces us for the first time to Emet-Selch, an Ascian and the great-grandfather of Zenos.
    This, of course, made me hopeful that we'd finally learn more about the prince's past and so on, but again, no such luck. We did see Zenos here and there, but we're still left in the dark about why he is the way he is and the overall framework for the character is still missing. A shame.

    On the other hand, Emet-Selch was introduced to us quite well. He appeared repeatedly, and it quickly became clear what his motives are and why he acts the way he does, etc.
    With this character, luckily, you can see again that Square Enix can actually write really well.

    8/10    … Expand
  2. Light_Ain
    Jul 25, 2023
    10
    Shadowbringers is where you truly get a massive pick up in story. This expansion was truly great, plenty of laughs and crying in this. Story is solid, raids are stunning and fun, crossover with Nier: Automata was perfection. If I could replay this with no memory I would easily.
  3. DeWyntr
    Jun 26, 2023
    8
    All the marks were hit with this expansion, XIV has had it's shares of ups and downs with content and I must say it's been a rollercoaster trying to figure out where much of my opinions lie when it comes to each featured expansion. Shadowbringers however I can't bring myself to fault, it brought us the new continent within one of the Reflections, a highly developed landmass telling it'sAll the marks were hit with this expansion, XIV has had it's shares of ups and downs with content and I must say it's been a rollercoaster trying to figure out where much of my opinions lie when it comes to each featured expansion. Shadowbringers however I can't bring myself to fault, it brought us the new continent within one of the Reflections, a highly developed landmass telling it's own story with it's own unique cast. Harping on tropes without relying so heavily on them as to stifle the creativity of the story itself. Shadowbringers was perhaps the best expansion of XIV to date, only just ahead of Stormblood as my personal favorite.

    From sympathetic, fleshed out and well-concluded villains to satisfying, sentimental and meaningful interactions with companions, XIV Shadowbringers holds the best of all the game has to offer within it's story. The expansion doesn't overstay it's welcome, maintaining pacing and enjoyment throughout; Shadowbringers brought us Bozja, Zadnor, some of the best high end content we've seen to date all while managing to deliver some amazing casual and story content to boot.

    This is the definitive XIV expansion to date. My only gripe is what it comes to mean when set against the other expansions, taking place in a realm outside of our own, the story felt isolated away from our experiences and as such the world of Norvrandt doesn't evolve with the newly passing expansions as we do.    … Expand
  4. remilink
    May 28, 2023
    10
    Tout simplement la meilleure extension d'ff14 niveau ambiance globale.

    Malgré le peu de contenu qu'elle et Endwalker propose
    l'écriture est un vrai délice et pas du tout incohérent .
  5. Roka
    Apr 1, 2023
    9
    This is not your ordinary expansion. It's a journey into a world of darkness and light, where the lines between good and evil are blurred, and the fate of the universe hangs in the balance.

    The story is epic, the characters are unforgettable, and the gameplay is as thrilling as ever. Emet-Selch and Graha-Tia are two of the most awesome characters in my opinion. They're complex,    This is not your ordinary expansion. It's a journey into a world of darkness and light, where the lines between good and evil are blurred, and the fate of the universe hangs in the balance.

    The story is epic, the characters are unforgettable, and the gameplay is as thrilling as ever.

    Emet-Selch and Graha-Tia are two of the most awesome characters in my opinion. They're complex, nuanced, and utterly captivating. You'll find yourself drawn to their stories.
    And speaking of characters, let's not forget about Zenos. Yes, he's back, and he's as badass as ever. Still wish though they would give us some infos about his past and his general life in the castle before he turned in the person we all know today. Also his connection to Emet. There is so much they left out, it's a little bit meh in my opinion. Really wish they would show us a bit more about this character.

    Overall, Final Fantasy's Shadowbringers expansion is pretty great and it will leave you breathless.    … Expand
  6. xeryl
    Mar 1, 2023
    10
    One of the best stories ever toid in an MMO, with so many multifaceted and unique characters culminating in a storyline that you'll likely never forget that could stand on its own entirely as a great final fantasy game.
  7. NN010
    Jan 29, 2023
    10
    Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers is a masterpiece of an RPG that manages to tell an emotional & heartfelt story and has some great gameplay & encounter design along the way. It still bears a few of FFXIV's pacing problems, but it's still come a long way since A Realm Reborn. The music of this expansion is also superb!

    10/10. “Remember… Remember us… Remember that we once lived.”
  8. gamingtime
    Jan 25, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Honestly the best expansion of the game imo (haven't played endwalker, but the experience will be quite hard to surpass). The music is great as always, especially the dungeon final boss battle theme (Insatiable) gives me chills when hearing it first time. The story was fantastic! The despair and struggle of the first's people portrayed throughout left quite an impression. I was amazed that SE decided to make an extra map just for telling the story of Emet-Selch, but it really did the work nicely. I can still remember the sense of loss and loneliness when reaching the recreated undersea amaurot.… Expand
  9. 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!
  10. Dom007
    Mar 31, 2021
    10
    Amazing story. Best in the final fantasy franchise. Characters are amazing and the main villian is the best character I have ever seen in a game. Music is the outstanding and the areas are beautiful. Masterpiece.
  11. candidKlutz
    Apr 30, 2022
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I'm honestly pretty disappointed in myself for not enjoying this expansion nearly as much as most FFXIV fans seem to.

    I'm going to go into a bit of spoilers to explain myself a bit on this one.

    The world of The First is very very interesting, and the story started off incredibly strongly by introducing the sin eaters and how they turn people into more sin eaters in a horrific manner shortly after reuniting with Alisae. It made me wonder how the other scions were dealing with it, or even if all of them were still okay. Seeing a world absolutely destroyed by the Light, which up to this point was only ever seen as the good side is so cool. I just wish it had better villains than Bad Kung Fu Movie Villain and Fat Power Hungry Baby Man. Ran'jit and Vauthry were so painfully boring as characters despite their voice actors doing fantastic jobs, that I just couldn't seem to get too attached to the story after their introduction, until after they're both finally dead. Thankfully, they're not the only villains of the story. Emet-Selch was much more interesting, but he barely did anything at all until the last few quests of the 5.0 MSQ. Ran'jit and Vauthry should have been dealt with much sooner, with Emet-Selch being more active and taking their place much sooner. It unfortunately dragged the entire story down for me, and I wish it didn't.    … Expand
  12. MoofiaBossVal
    Dec 26, 2021
    7
    An MMO expansion is not just its story.

    Yes, the 5.0 MSQ storyline is great. Yes, the 5.1 through 5.3 storyline is overall good. However, the rest of the expansion was noticeably lacking compared to prior expansions. We've gone from getting 3 dungeons per patch, to 2, to just getting one. Instead of getting 4 grind zones, we instead only get 2. No Hildibrand questline. We went from    An MMO expansion is not just its story.

    Yes, the 5.0 MSQ storyline is great. Yes, the 5.1 through 5.3 storyline is overall good. However, the rest of the expansion was noticeably lacking compared to prior expansions. We've gone from getting 3 dungeons per patch, to 2, to just getting one. Instead of getting 4 grind zones, we instead only get 2. No Hildibrand questline. We went from getting dozens of job questlines, to only 4 role questlines and all of them are meh, not even scratching "decent". Instead of getting 3 jobs, we got 2. We get fewer new armor sets and more recolors of old stuff we already got.

    There is a noticeable lack in the amount of new music produced for ShB, with one trial boss reusing the generic dungeon boss theme, the 5.3 trial boss not even getting a second theme for his second phase, no new dungeon boss theme for 5.4 and 5.5 dungeons, and Bozja pretty much just reusing FF12's ost.    … Expand
  13. Apollo5x5
    Dec 21, 2021
    10
    I got into FF14 right before this expansion came out. This review is late, but I didn't think to talk about it here til now.

    The story from the base game to the expansion before this was fascinating. There were several highs and a few lows throughout my blast through ARR, HW, and Stormblood. When this game came out I started a bit burnt out, but once I started getting into the main    I got into FF14 right before this expansion came out. This review is late, but I didn't think to talk about it here til now.

    The story from the base game to the expansion before this was fascinating. There were several highs and a few lows throughout my blast through ARR, HW, and Stormblood. When this game came out I started a bit burnt out, but once I started getting into the main story quests (MSQ) I got a HUGE second wind. I beat the MSQ in a few weeks, not because it was short, but because I couldn't stop playing.

    Music - some songs are decent, but the main song for my playthrough was called "High Treason." Such a powerful musical movement that I listen to when I'm not playing the game, even to this day. There are lots of songs like this within the game that just captivate me.

    Gameplay - I started the new Tank class, Gunbreaker, when it released and I had a lot of fun getting to learn new rotations and play through the class quest. The dungeons and bosses were a lot of fun to play through and the overall experience of the game was my favorite for an MMO at the time.

    Story and Characters - This is where the meat of the playthrough occurred. The main villain is one of my favorite fictional characters of all time. Only other ones that come to mind at this level are from playstation 1 games I played back in the early 2000's that continue to live with me today (Ghaleon from Lunar 1 and 2 really come to mind). This story is also an amazing bridge to Endwalker.

    Overall - This game is a love letter to fantasy and mmo players. Story is rich with content, characters are phenomenal, and the experience within the community is something I will treasure in my gaming life. You'll notice a trend with FF14 players talking about how important it is to experience the story (and I'll mention please feel free to experience the game the way YOU want to). If you're someone who enjoys the elements I discussed above, take the time to enjoy the journey. I remember into a month of this game existing, IGN's FB group had a lot of people saying this should be game of the year, and it was mine and many other's game of the year.

    Be safe and be sure to give this game a shot!    … Expand
  14. Wweald
    Dec 15, 2021
    10
    Amazing expansion. Has the best areas, cities, characters, story and dungeons of the game imo. I think Stormblood wins on trials by a tiny bit. Shadowbringers and FFXIV in general is one of the best experiences in gaming.
  15. ZodaSoda
    Dec 13, 2021
    0
    Ah Shadowbringers what a journey, what a time, much like i said in my Heavensward Review that is was a story any JRPG should not miss, Shadowbringers makes the entire FFXIV story from ARR to Shadowbringers a story any JRPG fan should not miss.
  16. Katzena
    Dec 12, 2021
    10
    Probably one the best expansions from the game, i'm conflicted if i liked it more than endwalker or not as this point. but i loved everything about this expansion
  17. ralgr
    Dec 12, 2021
    9
    The story for this expansion is as great as everyone says. On par with any of the great RPGs available today, owing to the dedication of the whole FFXIV team. Each named side characters introduced are well fleshed out and not throwaways for the sake of the story. The music for each zone and dungeons are fitting and a joy to listen to even at many repetitions. As for the looks of the zone,The story for this expansion is as great as everyone says. On par with any of the great RPGs available today, owing to the dedication of the whole FFXIV team. Each named side characters introduced are well fleshed out and not throwaways for the sake of the story. The music for each zone and dungeons are fitting and a joy to listen to even at many repetitions. As for the looks of the zone, most of them are improvements to previous content partially owing to the use of larger range of colours.

    A minor gripe storywise for me is that sometimes, even when our character is at a position to do something to resolve a situation to a happier end, they just watch instead for the sake of the story. For example, our character may be well in position physically to intercept an enemy to rescue someone but instead just looks on in shock, leading to a death that could have been avoidable. I think it would add more believability if, for example, our character was on the other side of a chasm as he looks on, but that is not the case on some NPC deaths.

    There were also changes to all classes. I can only speak of my experience playing as a Dark Knight, however. The new DRK changes are pretty straightforward and removes the spammy element. The only underwhelming skill I have encountered is the final skill which is to summon a shadowy figure to unleash some damage using DRK skills. My problem is, its just that. Its only function is to be used on cooldown as a damage increase with no interaction with the player. I was expecting it copy what the player would do, and so summoning it must needs preparation to deal the most damage, which sadly is not the case.

    Some new content available is more of the same as previous expansions. A respectable amount of dungeons each with a unqiue aesthetic and atmosphere, and three trials with an additional extreme modes for two of the three, all of which are suitably challenging. However, FATES in the new zones have been revised and now gives incentives to players to acutally do them for more than just for experience by adding a rank system and currency to it. Earned currency can be spent on various rewards ranging from mount speed increase of the zone, materials to chocobo bardings. You will have a rank for each zone which determines what items can be bought from the Gem Traders, which are the vendors for the FATE rewards. Rank goes up to 3 with the better rewards unclokced for purchase at rank 2 and 3.

    Levelling to max will take a mix of main scenario quests, dungeons, and other activities such as FATEs. More on the dungeons, Shadowbringers also introduces the TRUST sytem, which now allows our characters to do dungeons with certain NPCs that are integral to the story. This feature boosted my immersion to the story immensely as you can now take your time on the dungeons to look at every detail you desire without the pressure of potentially wasting other players' time. The NPCs also engage in colourful banter, which makes it all the more immersive. Additionally, they are helpful in learning the dungeon boss mechanics as they are coded to do them properly. The only downside would be that the TRUST NPCs will have potentially a lower damage output compared to players. Potentially. However, after completing the story, the NPC levels will drop and will require you to level them up by taking them to dungeons. They acquire a set experience per run and will require multiple runs to level up, but according to some players, your experience gain will outpace theirs, which in my opinion, is a problem.    … Expand
  18. RCSabin
    Dec 12, 2021
    9
    What a phenomenal expansion.

    Story takes a while to pick up and become interesting but since it went on a darker tone and cutscenes are pretty great you don't mind as much as in Stormblood. Once it does pick up its a blast until the end.
  19. forsakee
    Dec 11, 2021
    10
    easy 10/10 best mmo - good story and good savage fights. only thing lacking is good pvp
  20. Deadalia
    Dec 11, 2021
    10
    This game is juste amazing. The story is probably one of the best we ever had in FF games. The new map is also amazing. Can't tell more without spoil but this game is for sure one of the best MMO and one of the best final fantasy
  21. Lux7
    Dec 11, 2021
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Ver good … Expand
  22. loliance
    Dec 11, 2021
    6
    MSQ very same-y, more voice acting and interesting cut scenes than previous expansions, still far too many unvoiced poorly animated cut scenes though.

    Some nice introductions, like the trust system which makes the MSQ dungeons much more engaging, lots of solo trials also as part of the MSQ... Overall the MSQ is still below par unfortunately but it's an improvement. Raids offer an    MSQ very same-y, more voice acting and interesting cut scenes than previous expansions, still far too many unvoiced poorly animated cut scenes though.

    Some nice introductions, like the trust system which makes the MSQ dungeons much more engaging, lots of solo trials also as part of the MSQ... Overall the MSQ is still below par unfortunately but it's an improvement.

    Raids offer an acceptable level of difficult which makes them accessible to the vast amount of players, but could do with a more difficult version of savages/ultimates to extend the amount of content in the game for PvM players.    … Expand
  23. Torexid
    Dec 11, 2021
    9
    Great story and great music. Definitely worth the money and so worth playing!
  24. sable10
    Dec 11, 2021
    10
    This expansion cemented my love for this amazing MMO. Fantastic story telling, memorable zones and characters. I was sad to leave it when Endwalker was announced. Super great expansion!
  25. grot00
    Dec 11, 2021
    9
    Perfect expansion. If only devs could muster up some courage and finally kill some major npc. The only thing this story lacks is some stakes, actual risks.
  26. jokerdamate8
    Dec 10, 2021
    10
    Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers is one of the best video game experiences, period. The story of the game thus far has slowly been rising in quality, but in this expansion, the growth was exponential—so much so that it has become one of the best video game narratives I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. The foreboding tone, the themes of indolence and finality, and the overallFinal Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers is one of the best video game experiences, period. The story of the game thus far has slowly been rising in quality, but in this expansion, the growth was exponential—so much so that it has become one of the best video game narratives I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. The foreboding tone, the themes of indolence and finality, and the overall "feel" were very consistent and executed to nigh-perfection. Supporting this narrative was a cast of characters that felt more real and relatable than any before, with the returning Scions truly feeling like a group of companions and friends one can rely on. It must be said that no few tears were shed in some scenes and character moments. Gameplay-wise, it is more of the same which is not a bad thing; in fact, some dungeons and trials still stand out as fun and interesting.

    Shadowbringers was the expansion wherein I finally told myself, "That FFXIV might be among the best JRPGs I have ever had the joy playing".    … Expand
  27. KP1994
    Dec 9, 2021
    10
    It's kinda ironic that this 2019 Final Fantasy Fourteen Shadowbringers is much better than 2013/2018-? Grand Theft Auto+Red Dead Online not to mention remind me to 2020 Hades PC too.
  28. yon19794
    Dec 2, 2021
    10
    This is the first time I play FFXIV in general, as a long time (over 8 years) WoW player.
    I simply cannot explain how good this game actually is. From the story, to the zones, to the system, to actually having meaningful choices.
    It's sooo good. If you're looking for a MMORPG/RPGMMO, this is the game for you, it does not waste your time, it respects it, this is one of the many things    This is the first time I play FFXIV in general, as a long time (over 8 years) WoW player.
    I simply cannot explain how good this game actually is. From the story, to the zones, to the system, to actually having meaningful choices.

    It's sooo good. If you're looking for a MMORPG/RPGMMO, this is the game for you, it does not waste your time, it respects it, this is one of the many things that the game does right.    … Expand
  29. eugenji
    Oct 9, 2021
    10
    Mit Abstand das bisher beste FFXIV Addon.
    Tolle Geschichte Super Musik
    Nier 24er Raids
    FF7 Weapons als 8er Raids
    … Wer wollte zB Rubin Weapon nicht auch mal in „modern“ sehen ;)
  30. Ykkaru
    Aug 24, 2021
    10
    Fantastic game with a really nice and welcoming community. I was baffled by all the things you can do in this game.
    Especially the healthy faction system and the player housing was a breath of fresh air for someone coming from wow with it's toxic faction system, that is reflected in the toxic behavior of wow players. Not all of them of course. Many are just tired and frustrated by it but    Fantastic game with a really nice and welcoming community. I was baffled by all the things you can do in this game.
    Especially the healthy faction system and the player housing was a breath of fresh air for someone coming from wow with it's toxic faction system, that is reflected in the toxic behavior of wow players. Not all of them of course. Many are just tired and frustrated by it but aren't toxic. So yeah, it's nice to see that Square Enix is managing their factions and the community in such a healthy way.
    FF XIV is great!    … Expand
  31. erazor2021
    Aug 23, 2021
    4
    If you don’t like the Trial / “Realm Reborn” take my word, you won’t like any of it…

    New players hope you are ready for 200+ hours of MSQ which is mainly reading text. I fell for the recent hype. To all the people who says “it gets better” seriously, what is wrong with you? This constant insincerity is what kept me going. IT DOESN’T GET BETTER (a least to the point it serves as a    If you don’t like the Trial / “Realm Reborn” take my word, you won’t like any of it…

    New players hope you are ready for 200+ hours of MSQ which is mainly reading text.

    I fell for the recent hype. To all the people who says “it gets better” seriously, what is wrong with you? This constant insincerity is what kept me going. IT DOESN’T GET BETTER (a least to the point it serves as a valid argument).

    I just finished Shadowbringers 5.5 MSQ, and let me tell you, this is an “interactive Novel” more than it is a video game.

    Sure with each expansion the game (novel) gets a little better, in terms of graphics, animations, storytelling, but the CORE of the game doesn’t change, it is still this outdated mmorpg tab targeting, with its main FOCUS on MSQ, which is basically walls of text.

    Your quests in order of occurrences is: talk, travel, click objects, kill NPCs, do dungeons/trials/story instances.
    They added one different mechanic in Stormblood lol, which is to “click stuff in FPS mode”.

    I can count the EPIC moments of the story in one hand! 3 of them were in Havensward and 2 in Shadowbringers (forget RR and SB).

    The main focus of this game is the MSQ, but the problem is; the MSQ is 90% fluff pointless writing and storytelling, you could cut out 80% of this writing and still get a concise accurate description of the story, albeit just more on point.

    What Square Enix is doing is inflating game time content with more and more text and sloppy animation screens, which I’m not kidding stretches the MSQ than it really needs to be. I’m not even talking about important background build up, I’m talking about content you won’t even remember because it served no purpose in the grand scheme of things. (Anything you wont remember a month from now isn't worth reading about).

    Because the MSQ is mainly storytelling, and single player orientated, why not just play better solo video games that are much, much better technically advanced in gameplay, like GTA 5, Witcher 3, red redemption 2, and hundreds of others titles?

    There were times I was so desperate to just “play” the game, because there is so few dungeons/trials and killing quests in-between all the walls of text.

    One could always pay a story skip potion, but the fact is MSQ is the focus of this game, the endgame is extra stuff. Players and Square have both said that MSQ is the focus of the game, and the more casual player base.

    WoW = focuses on repeatable endgame content after a short introductory (and often crap) storyline.

    FF14 = 200 hours of MSQ (at minimum) at which point you can cycle through some endgame content and get max ilvl gear fairly easily. But levelling others job/crafts, which has its own questlines seems be one of the most popular things to do.

    I won’t be buying Endwalker. People who enjoy reading fluff for hundreds of hours to see one good cutscene here and there, you do that, enjoy! I’ll watch it in a recap YouTube video and do more productive things with my life than read FLUFF MSQ content, which is intentionally used to extend game play time.

    “You can always make more money, but you can’t make more time” think about if you’re really enjoying that 200 hours or if you’re only enjoy small amounts of it. Whilst the epic moments were epic, the pain of going through so much unfun content to see it was not worth it. The balance is definitely not there.

    Even most fans think the post RR quests are so bad, yet square hasnt fixed it by just removing it for new players short narration cutscene to bring players up to date for havensward. (And i heard it was even worse, oh dear God).    … Expand
  32. TPLaMar
    Aug 22, 2021
    10
    In 2021 I started playing from ARR to Shadowbringers and I am blown away that a 10/10 game could get better. 100/10 easily
  33. spyrospy
    Aug 16, 2021
    10
    Having played FFXIV actively for two years now, I can honestly say it is one of the best video game experiences I have had the pleasure of playing. Shadowbringers is the highlight of the journey, bringing a story that made me cry more times than every other game combined. If you enjoy a good fantasy story, you can't go wrong with Final Fantasy XIV. Every expansion is like a new book or aHaving played FFXIV actively for two years now, I can honestly say it is one of the best video game experiences I have had the pleasure of playing. Shadowbringers is the highlight of the journey, bringing a story that made me cry more times than every other game combined. If you enjoy a good fantasy story, you can't go wrong with Final Fantasy XIV. Every expansion is like a new book or a season of a fantasy series, and Shadowbringers is where the game rewards you for the investment of getting so far.… Expand
  34. TomasLacerda
    Aug 12, 2021
    5
    Played Lineage 2, World of Warcraft, was in need of a new MMORPG and tried FF.
    The walls of text, the bad UI and the super boring tutorial just didn't do for me.
  35. ganick
    Jul 15, 2021
    10
    The Shadowbringers expansion is the pinnacle in Final Fantasy series, while the early game can turn some people a way but the overall gameplay is only getting better and better over time.
  36. Tenarus
    Jul 2, 2021
    4
    Great story, great raids and dungeons, great content.

    The best online game experience out there. EDIT: For quite some time I would have rated it 10/10 BUT: Square simply can't make content work. The new resistance weapons are a senseless grind (completing raids over and over) and require you to play bozja - which for itself isnt bad BUT: Players only join and ask for the big event    Great story, great raids and dungeons, great content.

    The best online game experience out there.

    EDIT: For quite some time I would have rated it 10/10 BUT: Square simply can't make content work. The new resistance weapons are a senseless grind (completing raids over and over) and require you to play bozja - which for itself isnt bad BUT: Players only join and ask for the big event and dont play the zone whatsoever, the event has a player cap which locks unlucky players out... The new content delivered during the current update and the current patches is nothing but a senseless grind in content, which square tries to make interesting again, but turnes out to be a total catastrophe and not fun in the slightest. Raids and Trials (even extreme, savage and ultimate) are far to easy.

    The ignorance on squares side to bring features to the game, the biggest part of the playerbase would like to see shows their low appreciation for their customers in a perfect way.

    The only thing that keeps me playing are friends that still play, the content simply cant entertain me anymore.    … Expand
  37. houjo2000
    Jun 28, 2021
    10
    The story continues and builds on one started almost a decade ago, and it is amazing. Fantastic game with so much care put into it, beautiful for its age, god tier music, the most chill and friendly community I've ever seen.

    This is the best mmo of all time, and this is their best xpac yet. Can't wait to see the conclusion of the story arc that started with 1.0 to end in Endwalker, and    The story continues and builds on one started almost a decade ago, and it is amazing. Fantastic game with so much care put into it, beautiful for its age, god tier music, the most chill and friendly community I've ever seen.

    This is the best mmo of all time, and this is their best xpac yet. Can't wait to see the conclusion of the story arc that started with 1.0 to end in Endwalker, and definitely can't wait to see what the next arc will be.    … Expand
  38. PMS_Jordan
    Jun 7, 2021
    10
    I have well over 1,000 hours in this fantastic MMO. It is my favorite Final Fantasy story as well as my favorite MMO of all time. Shadowbringers is straight fire baby! Best expansion by far! I don't know how Endwalker will top it, but I believe in the Dev team. 10/10 would recommend.
  39. DinoBeam
    Mar 20, 2021
    4
    Oh good God help me! This game is endless dialogue from some guy you'll never see again that was going from Point-A to Point-B and then lost his stuff, and then you get it, and then he's gone forever, and then you hand it in with more pointless dialogue about it, and then you have to talk to him again for his new quest, and his quest is to go talk to someone else about the most boringOh good God help me! This game is endless dialogue from some guy you'll never see again that was going from Point-A to Point-B and then lost his stuff, and then you get it, and then he's gone forever, and then you hand it in with more pointless dialogue about it, and then you have to talk to him again for his new quest, and his quest is to go talk to someone else about the most boring inconsequential **** you've ever heard, AND THIS IS THE MAIN **** QUEST! I feel like I'm gonna have a stroke or mental disability if I play this any longer, everyone says it's great after the first 60 hours, how anyone got through those first 60 is beyond me, and if there's better fish in the sea, swim with them. It's too bad, because the combat system is very smooth and has potential. And in case you're wondering, all the side quests are go kill 3 monsters etc.… Expand
  40. shinnaileron
    Feb 12, 2021
    10
    best, amazing story gameplay and everything , nothing even close to ff14, not even WOW
  41. Countrefresh
    Feb 6, 2021
    10
    One of the most unique and delightful rpgs of all history, not just mmos. This is the only rpg on the market where you can pick up for 300 hours and feel like it’s one giant story despite being segmented expansion packs because even in the 300th hour are themes and clues from the first expansion become major plot points.
  42. ganassa
    Jan 3, 2021
    10
    This game just keeps getting better and better. I cannot wait for the new classes of the next expansion and the continuation of this epic saga.
  43. Not_A_Shill
    Dec 31, 2020
    10
    Hello, I'm absolutly not a paid corporate shill and this is my unbiased Review for SHADOWBRINGERS

    SHADOWBRINGERS is a masterpiece of video game narrative. Nothing else even comes close. The story is brutal, challenging, bold, and almost never "fun". It is harrowing, forcing the player to confront violence in a way video games never do. In a medium where everything is John Wick,    Hello, I'm absolutly not a paid corporate shill and this is my unbiased Review for SHADOWBRINGERS

    SHADOWBRINGERS is a masterpiece of video game narrative. Nothing else even comes close. The story is brutal, challenging, bold, and almost never "fun". It is harrowing, forcing the player to confront violence in a way video games never do. In a medium where everything is John Wick, SHADOWBRINGERS is Schindler's List.

    And just like that film, there were times when I wasn't sure I could keep going. It is a relentless emotional assault that I suspect will force even the most jaded gamer to feel empathy. The game is a work of art - every aspect feels crafted at the highest level. Visuals, audio, controls, animation, level design, performance. It is astounding. And frequently beautiful.

    With moments you NEVER find in video games. But I cannot overstate how harrowing it is. It feels like 2 seasons of the darkest TV show you'll ever find, and it frequently better than most TV on the air. That's saying a lot. I think it is an IMPORTANT game. It tore me up, and I will never, ever forget SHADOWBRINGERS is a game that will change you.

    In short, SHADOWBRINGERS put me through hell. I did not enjoy it. I wasn't supposed to. I was affected by it. Like no game before. I am in awe of it. I am recovering from it.    … Expand
  44. Wulfo
    Dec 27, 2020
    10
    This expansion had me crying my eyes out. Everything from the story, characters, music, dialogue, everything is brilliant. The only bad thing about this expansion, is that it set the bar so high that I don't think it's possible for the next expansion to be as good as this one.
  45. Lovely_TimeLord
    Dec 21, 2020
    10
    First of all I wanna say I'm a guy who love play everytime of game online or not and I played a lot of mmorpg over the years... that said, I feel cursed for never playing final fantasy XIV...

    Shadowbringer is for me the best game I've ever played, just brilliant. It had been a long time since I had seen something so puzzling and magnificent. If you came here looking to know if it's    First of all I wanna say I'm a guy who love play everytime of game online or not and I played a lot of mmorpg over the years... that said, I feel cursed for never playing final fantasy XIV...

    Shadowbringer is for me the best game I've ever played, just brilliant. It had been a long time since I had seen something so puzzling and magnificent.

    If you came here looking to know if it's worth playing. YEA!
    But if you are going to start in FFXIV play without haste, forget that the game is a mmorpg, enjoy the story as if it were an offline game and you will not be disappointed    … Expand
  46. MSB1
    Dec 18, 2020
    10
    The greatest MMO expansion ever made by a long shot. It's going to be a tough, if not impossible, task for Yoshi and his crew to top this one. The story ramped into something truly beautiful and amazing with a main villain that was relatable and charismatic without being the usual 'cliché charismatic guy', giving a beautiful and fitting end to the story arc that it closed. The world,The greatest MMO expansion ever made by a long shot. It's going to be a tough, if not impossible, task for Yoshi and his crew to top this one. The story ramped into something truly beautiful and amazing with a main villain that was relatable and charismatic without being the usual 'cliché charismatic guy', giving a beautiful and fitting end to the story arc that it closed. The world, characters and story were just fantastic, beautiful visually, and well written. The music per the usual was also A+ and some of the best you'll find in gaming.

    Something FF14 has always done infinitely better than WoW is class balance which they constantly listen to feedback on and make tweaks on to try to line jobs up better with one another based off their utility or lack therefore. All of them are performing pretty well and Monks just got an excellent and much needed rework . You can play any job in here you desire and feel like you're pull your weight, whether through the powerful buffs or sheer nuking power. And that's a formula that has continued to stick true in Shadowbringers. They just continue to excel at balance. If it looks fun, play it. You'll have value in groups or savage raids in the end.

    To those of you that play WoW and may be reading this wondering if this could be a breath of fresh air to you after the crap show that's Shadowlands the answer is yes. ESPECIALLY if you love a well written story and characters. The Expansion may be drawing towards a close in a few months, but it's still very much worth getting into. Especially now that ARR's story has received a much needed pruning that will make the level 50 slog from ARR to Heavensward (Where the game truly starts to shine.) much more manageable. That slog was often the defeat of many people trying the game out. But stick through till Heavensward and you'll be justly reward going onwards.

    I should mention that the classes and savage/ultimate raids are quite unlike anything you're used to in WoW. The classes are more in depth and have deeper and longer rotations. A slightly longer GCD than WoW helps out a lot with this and for 'weaving' abilities inbetween them that are off it. If you like the fast playstyle of WoW over a slower one, I would recommend looking into Ninja as a melee or Summoner as a caster as they have many abilities to weave that makes them feel faster. There's tons of resources out there such as The Balance discord to help you on the way and learn the ins and outs of these as well as many youtube videos. And there's easier options of the 'holy trinity' if you don't want to play anything too complex. White Mage (Healer), Red Mage (DPS), and Warrior (Tank) come to mind there as examples. The dungeons are quite easy, Mythic + in WoW is going to be more of a challenge. But the Savage/Ultimate raids are a completely different ballpark from WoW that requires a good, coordinated group and being good at your job as you have many mechanics to go through all the while keeping your dps/healing up to task. One death, especially in ultimate, can spell the difference between victory or a wipe/enrage. And it will also make you a hell of a player over in WoW after spending some time with it. Dodging mechanics in WoW is a joke after learning to dodge some of the mechanics FF14 throws out you in those high end raids.    … Expand
  47. Daisylanning22
    Dec 16, 2020
    10
    Gorgeous spell animations, every healer can brez (looking at you wow), class balance is immaculate, and god damn can SE tell a story. I was sobbing for half of this xpac and most of the patch content. Cute world events, glamour, housing and great raid/dungeon encounters, this game is perfect.
  48. Hieronymous
    Dec 14, 2020
    10
    Phenomenal story arc which leaves you wanting for more. Shadowbringers also brings some welcome changes to class skills by making them more streamlined and coherent.
  49. bmorin2514
    Dec 8, 2020
    10
    This is possibly the best Final Fantasy in the series... and it's an MMO on top of that.
    The systems they use are perfected. They don't change very much, but that's because they're done so well. All they do is add more and more content to do and more classes to play.

    The music is 11/10 as well.
  50. Dulera
    Dec 4, 2020
    10
    One of the best gaming experiences from start to finish I have ever had. This expansion cements FFXIV as not only The best MMO currently operating but also one of the best Final Fantasy games in the series.
  51. ShogunSHUN
    Dec 4, 2020
    10
    The best MMO out there! Undoubtedly shadowbringers was a surprise, beautiful landscapes, captivating characters, fantastic fights, and let's not forget the soundtrack, incredible!
  52. BetaReviews
    Nov 26, 2020
    10
    Amazing story. Graphics has a great emphasis on attention to detail from scenery to character.
  53. Latorn
    Nov 23, 2020
    10
    Shadowbringers is, in my experience, without a doubt the greatest multiplayer story ever told through a game.

    I've played many Final Fantasy games, but Shadowbringers is my favourite of all. It puts forth the greatest depth accompanied by dark, interesting themes, that are tackled with an expert finesse. Like it's predecessors, Shadowbringers is truly a game upon itself rather than a    Shadowbringers is, in my experience, without a doubt the greatest multiplayer story ever told through a game.

    I've played many Final Fantasy games, but Shadowbringers is my favourite of all. It puts forth the greatest depth accompanied by dark, interesting themes, that are tackled with an expert finesse. Like it's predecessors, Shadowbringers is truly a game upon itself rather than a simple expansion.

    A story that deserves to be experienced by all, but unfortunately may only be experienced by few, as it is necessary to work your way through the other fantastic FFXIV expansions before arriving at Shadowbringers. Shadowbringers is a masterpiece that brings a level of worldbuilding that is a rarity in JRPGs, and unrivaled in the MMORPG genre.    … Expand
  54. Gans_87
    Nov 12, 2020
    0
    ShB has been around for one and a half year and we know what it is now, you can of course trust all day 1 reviews or the recent ones.

    Lets break this down in 3 Categories. Story, Gameplay and Content. Story: The entirety of 5.x is a side quest, it was not needed to be done. We could have marched for Garemald, instead we visited a different version of our world. 4.x obviously lead up    ShB has been around for one and a half year and we know what it is now, you can of course trust all day 1 reviews or the recent ones.

    Lets break this down in 3 Categories. Story, Gameplay and Content.

    Story:
    The entirety of 5.x is a side quest, it was not needed to be done. We could have marched for Garemald, instead we visited a different version of our world. 4.x obviously lead up to it with the spirited away plot they added but if not for that it came 100% out of the blue.

    The Story that was written for 5.0 was mostly fine, while the game says "Shadowbringers" and treats light as something that's not always good (that's a good idea) it fails to deliver the sentiment by ... making you defeat the final boss (dark based) with light. So i guess light as the ultimate "good" tool.

    5.1 nosedives the story, fetch quests and nothing of value, so does 5.2 to the point you wonder if those things even needed to be there. 5.3 did pick it up again but failed by giving the OG Warrior of Darkness a proper sent off while you defeat the being that has taken his body.

    Gameplay:
    Tanks: Enmity is now a joke as all enmity moves (cept for ranged) are removed, the Stance now offers so much hate that its impossible to lose threat. Warrior which was my main since 2.0 feels boring to play.

    Healers: Lost a lot of their dps spells and skills, Sch faceplanted with a fairy nerf, Ast lost its unique card buffs. Whm is further moved towards a full dps.

    Dps: Full rework on multiple classes, there is STILL not a mnk fix which was a problem in the last expansion.

    Content:
    And this is where ShB shows its NASTY face.

    Dungeons:
    We have cut down from 3 to 2 Dungeons in HW, and now from 2 to 1, they say it helps the quality, however there is a point were you can have the best food in the world and still starve.

    Deep Dungeon: Was fully removed, which was one of the most fun and random things.

    Deep Sea Fishing: Was dead 2 weeks upon arrival

    Bozja: Came out in 5.35 ... once again later then it should have. Eureka was added 4.25 and diadem 3.15, this was one of the big grind things and they keep pushing it further back.

    Relics: We could've used a long and nice grind now during Covid but ... you got the first step for free and the next one had you do fates in a lv 60 zone ... why?

    Recycling ... this is a big one.

    Lets go over the music first, which is a huge deal for this game.

    ShB Dungeons: all feature their own track but they all use the ShB boss theme ... thats okay i guess.
    Titania: Has her own track, nice
    Innocence: Remix of dungeon boss, bad
    Hades: ShB title music, fine
    Ruby Weapon: Remix of ultima, meh
    Memoria: ShB dungeon boss music, wtf
    WoL: Remix of title music, bangs tho

    Eden 1: FF8 Track
    Eden 2: FF8 Track
    Eden 3: Leviathan Remix
    Eden 4: Titan Remix
    Eden 5: Ramuh Remix
    Eden 6: Garuda/Ifrit Remix
    Eden 7: FF8 track Eden 8: Shiva Remix. Fights, almost the entire Eden right is recycled, we now have 5 Shiva fights. Also remember this is not "we are sorry we cant deliver because of covid" nah this is what was planed, every expansion we get less ... players don't realise on how much of a drop we are atm. The rating this game has is based on 80% of "first day impressions" which is shameful. If you believe you can rate an expansion that lasts 2 years on the first 2 months during the honeymoon period ... you are wrong.    … Expand
  55. Praxeti
    Sep 13, 2020
    10
    What am I meant to say, goddamn, finishing this was actually insane. Please, help yourself out, try this game.
  56. Rikori
    Sep 5, 2020
    10
    Absolute masterpiece, honestly the best MMORPG online I've ever seen. The story is the best thing about the game.
  57. MiriamW
    Aug 14, 2020
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The expansion that ruined the game.

    The remake was fine, an MMORPG, that worked, gameplay, story and so on, enough content.

    The first expansion was better, especially an story that took you more in, more content, some fresh ideas (some not so good ones, but it was oka).

    The third one started the downfall. Content got lesser and worse and the story too a bad turn, starting a full out war, an invasion, but making it feel and look like raiding a bandit camp.

    But even that was harmless in comparison to ShB. Content got even less, close to zero, if you don't care for raiding, which is always the same, an extremely scripted fight you have to learn the 'dodge dance' for.

    But what it killed it the most for me, was the terrible bad writing. It's one thing, when characters are shallow and one dimensional, when none of them ever shows any kind of developement. It's an MMORPG, No need for Shakespear or whatever. It's fine, that you, as the player will of course in the end always suceed somehow, since your death would end the game. That is something you have to work around as a writer and many do that okay or even well.

    Not FF14. FF14 is so utterly bland, that this plot armor is obviously known to all your allies and that you can't die and will win for sure is just the main plan of everything. Something that could destroy you and your whole appears? The reaction of all your allies is, that they have to clean this up like the dishes after food. And then the story bends around them to make just that true.

    It's not necessary to murder NPCs at all ends. But FF14 comes up with war and endtime scenarios and then you solve it like your homework.

    Even worse: they sell this as normal. (Heavy spoiler):
    The background of this game is, that there was one a real planet with its inhabitants. Something tried to murder them all, so a big part of them used their own life force to summon a soul for their planat, that it can defend itself and them. This worked. Since the planet was already ruined, more people gave this soul their life, to revive the planet. This also worked. But then, when life was back and able to recover, a very small minority summoned a weapon that (intended or not) shattered the soul, killed the planet and all inhabitans on it. Through this the planet was cut into pieces, just as all life, which now 'exists' on these pieces, driven by greed, hate, violence, because abominations of what life once was. And this is sold as good and right.

    The player character meanwhile is not even just one of these abombinations, of these raped soul fragments, but directly linked to these original inhabitans and so immensily powerful, that nothing can stand againt him (or her), while for some reason stoicly serving the summoned weapon to make sure it's genocide will not be undone.

    Because that's what the "bad guys" want. They want to heal the planet and return all life to its original, unshattered form. This is sold as evil in this game. Like in the Wolfenstein the Nazis are the good guys (because they have won and the world is theirs now), while those who fight against them are bad, since they don't accept this new world and want the old one back - right?

    Meanwhile the other plot around a more normal war is also going on. And of course war is easy and fun and murder is good, you just have to murder for the "right side". The player character side is maed out of despots and the story is full of sick atrocities (abusing civilians, other nations, mass killing of civlians for miliary purpose, plans, that risk the lives of thousands if not tenthousands of innocent people, spreading of chaos and death on CIA level as "distraction"). Sounds interesting, no? A good side, that acts that bad? Problem is, the game got no problem with it. All this is just fine and heroic in this game. And the other side (btw a giant high tech empire with an army at least on the level of the modern USA), is simply stomped all the time, by something around the size of maybe Luxemburg.

    War is good and easy, murder is fine, genocide is right - as long, as you stand on the right side of it.

    Oh, and if you fight against people who are tenthousand years old, masterminds who have already steered the fate of nations and worlds all the time and got all means to kill you in millions of way: no fear: they will just go to you, stand in front of you and let them beat you to death, what will also make them think, what a wonderful person you are and that you were right from the start.

    So... fascism is a good thing now. At least in this game.

    By the way: the community is one of the most toxic I've ever seen, simply because they also THINK they are so much better than others, while - pretty much like the NPC - are just full of themselves. Snowflakes by all the bad meaning of the word.

    You better never say anything bad against their game or just asking a question, because they WILL hate for that.    … Expand
  58. BugabooJones
    Aug 14, 2020
    10
    Just finished patch 5.3, this is without a doubt, the greatest Final Fantasy story ever told. And it sucks because most people wont ever experience it.
  59. wildinstict
    Jul 27, 2020
    10
    One brings shadows, one brings the light....enough said...just buy the game. Its story is extremely good
  60. Tonarestriga
    Jul 26, 2020
    9
    Only two content patches in and there has yet to be an end to the content. The dungeons are gorgeous, the raids are amazing, the crafting and gathering systems are still their own slice of annoying. I cannot wait to see what YoshiP and his team come up with next but one thing is for sure it is going to be action packed, content packed, and one heck of a ride that I cannot wait to go on.
  61. mokoantic
    Jul 20, 2020
    10
    Took me too long to start playing this game, and i loved everything about this game: the jobs, the combat, the dungeons, the raids, the community, the world, the story ........

    I played the base game and the three expansions and loved them all. But i think Shadowbringers is the best all around.

    Must play for mmo players.
  62. horsefontdead
    Jul 1, 2020
    3
    Expansion had a great start, welcomed us with a good story and after patches everything went downhills, content is cut left and right, nothing was improved much or made into a worse. Way to go SE, that's how you treat title that brings you most income of the year. Worshipers gonna worship until SE milks dry of this game.
  63. Aokana
    Jun 22, 2020
    5
    I've been playing FFXIV since 2.3 and I'll go over some pros and cons.

    Pros - • Amazing story once you hit Heavensward, Stormblood dips a bit but I liked it more than most and then While I loved Shadowbringers I still put it below Heavensward. • Great Soundtrack • Nothing on the base level is overly difficult, some of the savage/extremes and Ultimate provide good difficulty for    I've been playing FFXIV since 2.3 and I'll go over some pros and cons.

    Pros -
    • Amazing story once you hit Heavensward, Stormblood dips a bit but I liked it more than most and then While I loved Shadowbringers I still put it below Heavensward.
    • Great Soundtrack
    • Nothing on the base level is overly difficult, some of the savage/extremes and Ultimate provide good difficulty for advanced players.
    • Raids are Fun, especially the new Eden Series
    • Glamours allow for a good amount of customization
    • There is a lot of callbacks and references to other Final Fantasy Games.
    • The world is amazing and there are plenty of hidden gems and beautiful landscapes to find.

    Cons
    • Pre Heavesnward the game can be boring, especially if you've already done it once due to the extreme skill pruning to make room for more skills at higher levels.
    • Classes have been homogenized, Every Class feels like another class of the same role. Similar to a Lincoln MKX and Ford Edge being essentially the same vehicle.
    • Endgame feels barren, once you complete the story your left running the same few dungeons over and over again for months on end to cap your weekly tome limits. They used to give you variety but everything has been segregated so now you run the same 2 dungeons for an entire patch cycle getting you up in this endless gear treadmill tome grind that you really don't need to be on. There is little to no variety for months on end between patches.No dailies, no bonus events, just the same things over and over again, this is compounded with people ilv cheating the system so you get stuck with the same lv50 dungeons on alliance roulette 90% of the time.
    • Their is over 40 different currencies and collectible trade for gear items in the game, everything you do requires some form of currency or collectible item (for example to get raid gear you will need a specific amount of item drops from the raid to trade for the gear you want). The presented reason is that everything is set to limit your access so you can't get items "too fast" and to level the playing field between hardcore and casual players all while combating RMT. The real reason though it's just a way to extend the grind and keep you subbed longer.
    • Gear is continually made useless, almost no gear outside of Collector edition xp boost gear items hold any long term value unless you want it for glamour.
    • "Great community BTW" is a farce. The community is extremely toxic in a round about way. The unwritten rule is you never say anything about anyone's game-play otherwise your are to be reported for harassment. Even it its asking the tank to please separate from the the party during a mechanic that requires them to separate from the party, in a party finder party explicitly stating to know this mechanic because "you don't pay muh sub". The subreddit even has a weekly "Rage" thread in which people sit around karma jerking while **** about other players.
    • There is also a continual housing problem. There is never enough houses to go around but because everyone is so crazy about them the devs stop the auto demo timer over every little event that happens so nobody will be mad that they lost their house. They also force you to wait for the auto demolish if you want to get rid of your house otherwise you don't get that portion of your funds back. However suggesting any changes like updating the apartment system into instance housing is going to get you slammed and harassed. Actually the same can happen if you suggest any changes to the game, as part of the community you are supposed to worship Yoshi P like a god or face the communities wrath, this is even evident here as anyone that didn't rate the game super high is getting their reviews bombed.
    • The cash shop is a double dip in your wallet with minor Pay to Win tendencies. While everyone pays a sub fee you can buy cash shop items to make cosmetic changes then there are level boosts and exp boosting gear for sale so those willing to drop some extra $$$ can level faster and receive in game cash and gear. It's also a cash crab as many of the in-game gear will use re-use assets with a slightly different colour and dye scheme but all the gear in the cash shop is new designs. They re-used the same gunblade base for 3 patch gears in a row. Everyone's sub fee pays into the design and development but only those willing to pay extra get access.

    Overall FFXIV is a solid MMO but once you get past the shiny story and soundtrack your left with a dull, repetitive so called endgame, grind that you will quickly realize you don't need to be on because they have made the game so easy to catch up. Probably the worst tragedy there is no use of the actual beautiful world that was created instead pigeonholes you into the base cities and endgame hubs.    … Expand
  64. sacredsoil
    Jun 20, 2020
    10
    Absolutely gorgeous and well made. I just replayed the story in New Game+ and it was just as engaging and emotional as the first time(I actually enjoyed it more without the huge crowds of people at expac launch)

    I love that this game basically allows the main characters to feel like they like your character, no matter the gender of your player character. There's no changing of dialogue,    Absolutely gorgeous and well made. I just replayed the story in New Game+ and it was just as engaging and emotional as the first time(I actually enjoyed it more without the huge crowds of people at expac launch)

    I love that this game basically allows the main characters to feel like they like your character, no matter the gender of your player character. There's no changing of dialogue, no changing of interactions. It's just a wonderful touch, imo.

    Also make sure you do the role quests! They were amazing and added such a layer of depth to the Warriors of Light.    … Expand
  65. Mohammed-alsheh
    Jun 20, 2020
    10
    what an absolute win for square enix to have this be the start of their new future , this is without a shadow of a doubt a game worth playing no question about it and people won't know the true value of it for generations to come
  66. FiftyEightDK
    Jun 19, 2020
    10
    Отличное дополнение к хорошей мморпг, разработчики которой любят как своё детище, так и свое комьюнити.
  67. Shamsiel_
    Jun 17, 2020
    10
    I bought it whitout even finishing heavensward and never played cause i cant afford the subscription. 10/10, would buy again
  68. Nicnevin
    Jun 6, 2020
    10
    Final Fantasy XIV и её последние дополнение Shadowbringers - это потрясающая игра и невероятная история, которую я, наверно, запомню на всю жизнь.
    Редко в какой игре вы найдете такой уровень качества сюжета и такой глубокий взгляд на персонажей.
    FFXIV тихо приезжает в вашу жизнь на одинокой повозке запряженной чокобо и увозит вас, простого путешественника, в невероятное приключение,    Final Fantasy XIV и её последние дополнение Shadowbringers - это потрясающая игра и невероятная история, которую я, наверно, запомню на всю жизнь.
    Редко в какой игре вы найдете такой уровень качества сюжета и такой глубокий взгляд на персонажей.
    FFXIV тихо приезжает в вашу жизнь на одинокой повозке запряженной чокобо и увозит вас, простого путешественника, в невероятное приключение, которое изменит вашу жизнь как в игре, так и в реальности.
    Не ждите, начинайте играть, потому что эта игра стоит гораздо больше, чем эти 10 баллов.
    _________________________

    Final Fantasy XIV and its latest expansion definitely an awesome gaming experience and incredible story that I will remember for a lifetime.
    Its quite hard nowadays to find a game that would have such a great level of storytelling and characters writing.
    FFXIV quietly arrives in your life on a lonely carriage drawn by a chocobo and takes you, a simple traveler, into an incredible adventure that will change your life forever both in the game and in reality.
    Do not wait, start playing, because this game costs much and more than these 10 points.    … Expand
  69. Kiseki
    Apr 25, 2020
    6
    An outdated game with little improvement. Almost the entire time is spent running back and forth between NPCs to complete the main story quest with boring dialogues and cut-scenes that feels like time wasting. Evening skipping is slow. You go through so many clicks and load even if you try to skip.

    The game world is colorful but pretty blend, mostly empty and little variety. Enemy    An outdated game with little improvement. Almost the entire time is spent running back and forth between NPCs to complete the main story quest with boring dialogues and cut-scenes that feels like time wasting. Evening skipping is slow. You go through so many clicks and load even if you try to skip.

    The game world is colorful but pretty blend, mostly empty and little variety. Enemy design is quite uninspired.

    It feels like paying a subscription to waste time and feel annoyed. The game's mainly about never ending gear grinds. The newest and highest level gears and items will always require an near infinite grind to achieve.

    The raid boss fights is like a staged show with 100% fix script fireworks and aoe markers. Feel like a game for bots. The difficulty lies in high damage, short response time, unpredictable mechanics that are unforgiving.

    Feels like most people play it for vanity and bragging rights. There is very very little actual gameplay content to justify the subscription. Its just not worth it.    … Expand
  70. Strife_life
    Apr 20, 2020
    10
    Excellent exercution from yoshi p true legend and sme one who cares and takes are views as inportant 3 years I Ben playing ff14 gets better better not like **** ff7R ending ff14 u are my saving grace thank u yoshi p sampo
  71. rwisenor
    Jul 12, 2019
    10
    This represents the current zenith of the JRPG, and indeed, MMORPG experience; at least in how it brings balance to gameplay, story, and innovation. If A Realm Reborn was the miracle that saved the company in from ruin, an echo akin to Square Enix’s initial Final Fantasy, then Shadowbringers is the arrival of the series’ new Golden Age. Nothing but pride and praise.
  72. CainHighwin
    Mar 14, 2020
    10
    I played the previous expansions as a mean to cope with loneliness and a break up. This expansion made me mad and frustrated because after finding a soulmate and settling down in a new adult, functional life with a partner, I still got dragged into the unforgiving cycle of playing another expansion and it’s 5 patches. Shadowbringers dragged me back into the sad life of feeling for made-upI played the previous expansions as a mean to cope with loneliness and a break up. This expansion made me mad and frustrated because after finding a soulmate and settling down in a new adult, functional life with a partner, I still got dragged into the unforgiving cycle of playing another expansion and it’s 5 patches. Shadowbringers dragged me back into the sad life of feeling for made-up characters and world (this time they managed to make a whole fresh one) after I have managed to find happiness in real life. And guess what? My boyfriend got addicted too after seeing the overwhelming feedback from the game. How can it be that after all that time my life is still bound to FF14, a once failed game, the story of which only became such an effective PR tool. Maybe the game is just that good? PS: I managed to stay unsubbed for 1 month before Yoshi-P was like, hey your Viera ass can now carry a **** umbrella to show the world how much of a slut you are. Come back and build your new housing quarter!!! I need more money so my dumbass son can pay his Fortnite season pass.… Expand
  73. GalvusGalvoid
    Feb 13, 2020
    10
    Shadowbringers is one of the best stories in the entire final fantasy series (definitely the best since the merger of Square and Enix) and the best expansion of ffxiv. I'm not a fan of mmorpgs but this one is a must. While the initial story may not be the best (they will modify it in the near future to make it better and shorter) the expansions are incredibly good and have a lot ofShadowbringers is one of the best stories in the entire final fantasy series (definitely the best since the merger of Square and Enix) and the best expansion of ffxiv. I'm not a fan of mmorpgs but this one is a must. While the initial story may not be the best (they will modify it in the near future to make it better and shorter) the expansions are incredibly good and have a lot of content. (the base game is still good but heavensward and shadowbringers are just incredible)… Expand
  74. InfernusDead
    Feb 8, 2020
    10
    Sin duda alguna, uno de los mejores MMORPG superando al antes grande, WoW, Lo Recomiendo
  75. Sathona
    Feb 3, 2020
    10
    Best MMO Expansion like..ever?
    The Launch was smooth with barely any issues, the queue was long but it was to be expected.
    The story is as top tier as it gets, i doubt any other MMO will even come close to be equal or surpass it. The music is the best ive heard in an MMO, like it fits so well with the theme and its just perfect. The Nier: Automata raid and the gear are well done    Best MMO Expansion like..ever?
    The Launch was smooth with barely any issues, the queue was long but it was to be expected.
    The story is as top tier as it gets, i doubt any other MMO will even come close to be equal or surpass it.

    The music is the best ive heard in an MMO, like it fits so well with the theme and its just perfect.

    The Nier: Automata raid and the gear are well done and really fun and exciting ofc Yoko Taro was involved in it!

    FFXIV: Shadowbringers is probably the best FF story told in decades.

    Balance wise some classes have improved much better than when Shadowbringers launced so thats no longer an issue.

    The new trials and dungeons were amazing with most of them awarding a really good looking gear.

    Patch 9.3 which will release near Summer will have the base story of the game remade and shortend to fit better into the theme of the expansions going forward which will also make it less annoying for new players to get into as thats really the biggest drawback for new players atm.

    Overall a 10 out of 10. Really well done SE!    … Expand
  76. Mallow1144
    Feb 2, 2020
    10
    Absolutely love FFXIV. Each expansion has just been better and better. Can't really say that for most MMO's where you typically reminisce on how things were "back in the good old days".
    FFXIV continues to appeal to the fans demands and expectations and makes changes accordingly to remain loved by its consumers. The developers are passionate about their work and don't run the franchise as    Absolutely love FFXIV. Each expansion has just been better and better. Can't really say that for most MMO's where you typically reminisce on how things were "back in the good old days".
    FFXIV continues to appeal to the fans demands and expectations and makes changes accordingly to remain loved by its consumers. The developers are passionate about their work and don't run the franchise as if it was just a business trying to make money.    … Expand
  77. AshevonRosetta
    Feb 2, 2020
    10
    the team gets better every update , my only concern is when they hit the cealing
  78. artimis
    Feb 1, 2020
    10
    This is a really amazing expansion, to the story,characters, places, maps scenery, music, all so amazing, well worth the money and worth it, wont be dissapointed
  79. s3renity
    Dec 25, 2019
    8
    Story-wise, this is the best FFXIV expansion ever. The main plot is just superb, characters are interesting and distinct. Dialogue is great, locations and adventures are interesting. Instances are superbly designed, just like in SB and earlier expansions. You can clearly see the design improvements and progress from ARR and HB.

    Music and graphics are just a notch better than in SB, as    Story-wise, this is the best FFXIV expansion ever. The main plot is just superb, characters are interesting and distinct. Dialogue is great, locations and adventures are interesting. Instances are superbly designed, just like in SB and earlier expansions. You can clearly see the design improvements and progress from ARR and HB.

    Music and graphics are just a notch better than in SB, as expected. With a new theme of the expansion comes a completely new atmosphere and it's absolutely great. Terrifying and dark at times, sometimes playful and fun. It sometimes feels like the team is just showing off how well they can blend and mix seemingly distinct patterns, colors, and moods. It's a feast.

    The new races are OK, though I think they were unnecessary. The amount of energy it takes to redesign items in the game to fit these new models could have been put elsewhere, and one particular place comes to mind. Class design and lore.

    Class (Job) design is the only area I feel they could have done much better. They have redesigned or changed many classes in an effort to make them easier to play. The influx of players from other games, particularly WoW, seems to have caused them to reconsider and simplify job rotations. They probably called it "streamlining" or similar internally. In my view, this caused many jobs to lose their complexity or unique flavor. While still fun to play, some of them just seem to be missing that spark that initially drew me in.

    In addition to these mechanical changes, they also did not add any new class quests, instead opting for "role quests" - quests aimed at tanks, healers, physical and magical dps. While understandable (with new classes in every expansion, it's just more and more work), I feel it's a bad move. WoW team recently recognized that classes are the lens through which we experience the game, and I think this is true in FFXIV, despite the fact that you can change classes at will. I hope they will go back to class quests in the next expansion.

    All in all, FFXIV is still miles ahead any other game of this type. Every MMORPG fan should try it out.    … Expand
  80. Amarylis
    Dec 24, 2019
    10
    The is just the best extension ever and maybe... the best Final Fantasy game I've ever played until now. What a hell of a ride, it's just AMAZING !
    The whole plot is well written, full of drama and hope.

    If you're still wondering if you should play it, don't hesitate. Go for it.
  81. otterone
    Dec 15, 2019
    10
    Amazing expansion to an amazing MMO. Shadowbringers brings the stakes to a whole new level and easily manages to outdo the previous expansions. Incredible soundtrack, beautiful new areas and the always so captivating storyline.

    Shadowbringers has also brought heaps of QOL changes concerning the gameplay (especially when it comes to crafting and gathering), so in case you have previously    Amazing expansion to an amazing MMO. Shadowbringers brings the stakes to a whole new level and easily manages to outdo the previous expansions. Incredible soundtrack, beautiful new areas and the always so captivating storyline.

    Shadowbringers has also brought heaps of QOL changes concerning the gameplay (especially when it comes to crafting and gathering), so in case you have previously found the game too convoluted, it is now easier than ever for both new and old players to jump in.    … Expand
  82. Pat1711
    Dec 12, 2019
    10
    As a long time WoW fanboy, all I can say is that Shadowbringers sets a new bar for the MMO Genre.

    WoW really has some work to be done to rise to the level of Shadowbringers.
  83. OmniSteve
    Nov 15, 2019
    10
    Not the most noob friendly game out there. But once get over the steep learning curve, this becomes a legendary MMO!
  84. kaime
    Nov 14, 2019
    10
    Great story
    Strong sense of substitution
    pleasant music
    Character shaping is very successful
  85. kira84
    Oct 30, 2019
    10
    This mmo is amazing, best main story, best soundtrack, best combat system (old shcool), best dungeon and raid mechanics. The game runs flawlessly on my 1080 Ti and 8700k at max setting at 1440p.
    great work optimizing it, thank you Yoshida san.
  86. smahlt
    Oct 30, 2019
    9
    Best FF14 expansion yet. The new locations, music, characters, and story are all fantastic. I think the story itself could contend with some of the all time JRPG story greats were it a standalone game (with the necessary backstory to fully appreciate it, of course).

    Dropped it down to a 9 because I'm not into some of the job changes, and I'm not a fan of them dropping the job-specific    Best FF14 expansion yet. The new locations, music, characters, and story are all fantastic. I think the story itself could contend with some of the all time JRPG story greats were it a standalone game (with the necessary backstory to fully appreciate it, of course).

    Dropped it down to a 9 because I'm not into some of the job changes, and I'm not a fan of them dropping the job-specific questlines. Also, really not interested in the announced Nier raid.    … Expand
  87. TempestAOC
    Sep 25, 2019
    10
    Great and amazing. Carrying on the FF legacy. Story, gameplay music and everything are all on point.
  88. Legolas98
    Sep 25, 2019
    10
    VII has a semi-cyberpunk industrial aesthetic, whereas IX has a medieval one. XIV is both.
  89. yopman69
    Sep 25, 2019
    10
    Great great great. Squaresoft level. Very good. Best MMO out there. Recommend to everyone. Amazing game.
  90. Joseph134
    Sep 25, 2019
    10
    Great great great. Squaresoft level. Very good. Best MMO out there. Recommend to everyone. Good.
  91. WolfofMiibu
    Sep 25, 2019
    10
    Must play. Square Enix are on it. GOAT. Very good. Best MMO out there. Recommend to everyone.
  92. Nahiddd98
    Sep 25, 2019
    10
    Great great great. Squaresoft level. Very good. Best MMO out there. Recommend to everyone!!!
  93. NateDrake123
    Sep 25, 2019
    10
    Great great great. Squaresoft level. Very good. Best MMO out there. Recommend to everyone.
  94. GlidingFalcon
    Sep 25, 2019
    10
    Great Ff game. Recommend. Best since X. Squaresoft level. Great story. Music. Best MMO.
  95. Sethorus
    Sep 23, 2019
    9
    Shadowbringers is one of the best expansions for Final Fantasy XIV. The Campaign storyline, although it can feel lengthy, delivers a great villain with understandable motivations and explores its new setting very well. A great improvement over Stormblood's Zenos, which felt like a one dimensional fighting machine written by a Deviart fanfic artist.

    Most of the jobs were revamped and    Shadowbringers is one of the best expansions for Final Fantasy XIV. The Campaign storyline, although it can feel lengthy, delivers a great villain with understandable motivations and explores its new setting very well. A great improvement over Stormblood's Zenos, which felt like a one dimensional fighting machine written by a Deviart fanfic artist.

    Most of the jobs were revamped and useless skills were removed from the game without making each lose it's identity from one another, although some might feel it's way too simplified now.

    The music for this expansion is phenomenal and the soundtrack can be enjoyed even out of the game, The graphic and environment also looks superb and each zone is vastly different from one another.    … Expand
  96. Snowlight
    Sep 19, 2019
    10
    The story in Shadowbringer is leagues above other MMOs, really putting the RPG in MMORPG. The job system allows you to play any job you want without having to start a new character and going through the story all over again to do so. The community are overwhelmingly positive and helpful most of the time. If i had to pick only one MMO to play it would be FFXIV!
  97. Lightwing_Theo
    Sep 17, 2019
    10
    Shadowbringers очевидно можно назвать лучшим дополнением к Final Fantasy XIV!
    Подача истории, атмосфера, музыка. Square Enix продедали огромную работу! С момента выхода A Realm Reborn прошло много времени! И я вижу прорыв в разработке игры! Shadowbringers это то, чего мы ждали в 2019! Спасибо Вам, Square Enix за шедевр!    Shadowbringers очевидно можно назвать лучшим дополнением к Final Fantasy XIV!
    Подача истории, атмосфера, музыка. Square Enix продедали огромную работу! С момента выхода A Realm Reborn прошло много времени! И я вижу прорыв в разработке игры! Shadowbringers это то, чего мы ждали в 2019! Спасибо Вам, Square Enix за шедевр!
  98. FF14er
    Sep 11, 2019
    10
    FF14 is a perfect MMO!
    YOSHIDA is my papa!
    YOSHIDA is my papa!
    YOSHIDA is my papa!
    YOSHIDA is my papa!
    YOSHIDA is my papa!
  99. ChseeFwal
    Sep 7, 2019
    10
    The story is easily one of the best final fantasy ever had in it’s 30+ years. Can’t wait for the Nier themed raids!!
  100. fuuretsu
    Sep 4, 2019
    9
    The aesthetics of SHB are amazing. Light = bad and darkness = good isnt too unique a concept but the execution was great. The sin eaters feel unholy and the bright sky looks sickly. Darkness is worshipped and the night sky becomes a cause for celebration. The scenery is gorgeous, and each zone, with a counterpart on the Source, is feels far more memorable than in previous expacs. SokenThe aesthetics of SHB are amazing. Light = bad and darkness = good isnt too unique a concept but the execution was great. The sin eaters feel unholy and the bright sky looks sickly. Darkness is worshipped and the night sky becomes a cause for celebration. The scenery is gorgeous, and each zone, with a counterpart on the Source, is feels far more memorable than in previous expacs. Soken outdid himself with the OST yet again. The new songs are memorable and/or fitting ambiance. There are new twists on old themes as well as completely new bangers. In terms of story, SHB is the best expac so far. It really made me come to appreciate and like characters that have been in the game since the beginning. Many new minor npcs that were more likeable than major characters from previous expacs. The overarching villains become people to sympathize with, and the WoL felt more involved in the story. Unfortunately, with how good the world of Norvrandt is, I am no longer interested in the events happening in Eorzea. Every time they showed us Estinien or Gaius or Zenos back on the Source, I didn't care. Of course the story had some problems, with more death scares for characters they would never kill off and Ranjit, the OP reoccurring villain who is barely a character. SHB made me appreciate how tasteful this game is (even with Viera) compared to others. I dont recall any "lewding," or even suggestive jokes made towards the kiddos, which is a relief. Dulia Chai didn't get reduced into a fat joke, even though she very easily could have been. There is a transgendered npc that is treated respectfully. The fairies don't have specified genders, except for maybe Feo Ul who uses feminine pronouns. Yoshi-P said he was considering more inclusive values in the game, and it's nice to see that he hasn't forgotten that. The grinding that we needed to do between every set of msq was offputting. I never had to deal with that before. I barely touched the trust system, but that's because I was playing with my friends through the msq, but I was disappointed to find that you get barred from using certain characters after msq. And then you have to level trust characters manually, which seems pointless. Thankfully, a recent update made them easier to level up. I'm not completely expecting the trust system to expand to the whole game, since expac specific characters with custom AI/skills, but they at least need to make an update to squadrons to make them vaguely comparable. SHB's launch seemed to go smoothly (ignoring the obligatory ddos attacks) compared to what I've heard of SB. Overall better server stability due to the data center split as well a new instance system prevented a new Raubahn EX. The instance system is somewhat inconveniencing, and combined with world visit, hunt trains are very different than from what I experienced in SB. (Luckily on Primal theres a diligent group of people who work to make trains as smooth as possible, but even so, it's brutal how nonstop they are.) The instances were said to be temporary, but with how many people use one train to cap their weekly tomes, I can only imagine the outrage. Cross-world sniping would come back with a vengeance. The instancing system would be a lot better if teleporting (not at the aetheryte) gave the option to pick specific instances and also if the flag command also added the instance. The new areas are easier to navigate, even without flight (barring the final zone). Previous expac maps were bad for a variety of reasons. They havent improved the misleading map though. The gameplay hasnt changed too much overall. The new dungeons are really fun and engaging. They use interesting mechanics and I like getting them in queue. The class changes did a lot of simplification that was good some ways and bad in others. I no longer have to manage TP, which provided nothing but irritation, and my hotbars are less cluttered now. I mostly play WAR so I cant verify everything from personal experience, but I think the classes/roles are getting homogenized in a worrying way. Tank stance is purely for aggro, they can no longer pull aggro without it (which admittedly makes it easier). No longer does it give a boost to health or defense, that's a passive ability between all tanks. Tank classes filled certain niches but now the feel like axe-flavored or shield-flavor. ASTs unique card system was gutted. SCHs fairies are interchangeable now. BRDs unique supports/buffs system was taken and basically given to DNC.

    I've played a lot of MMOs before, but I've never enjoyed them as much as this one. FFXIV isnt perfect. The combat is still lacking. The community may not be as good as people say it is, but I have made many friends and good experiences through this game. The story might be cliched, but I've never felt as attached to my character before. In terms of what I was looking for, SHB is really good, GOTY-worthy even, but it won't be everyone's cup of tea    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best PC Game of 2019
23
#23 Most Discussed PC Game of 2019
9
#9 Most Shared PC Game of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Cubed3
    Mar 27, 2020
    70
    The active story events of ShadowBringers are good fun, but due to the grinding nature of the genre, it suffers from some terrible pacing issues. If you are invested in FFXIV, this DLC will probably excite and please you. It's a fun but forgettable romp that runs just the wrong side of boring during its hours-long retelling and bland A-B mission style. If this tickles your fancy, be sure to start and play with a team of friends - it will easily be 10 times more enjoyable, if infinitely longer.
    Read full review
  2. Multiplayer.it
    Sep 15, 2019
    90
    Shadowbringers is not just a fun and juicy MMORPG thanks to some intuitive design choices and amazing dungeons and encounters, but also a different take on the overindulged "hero saves the world" story with lots of twists and turns.
    Read full review
  3. Game Informer
    Aug 15, 2019
    90
    Shadowbringers is the best expansion yet for Square Enix’s MMORPG, a world that comes alive in the player’s hands, with weight and gravitas moving you through every whimsical corner. Old-fashioned quest design and color-dodging combat add a dull tinge to a truly magical landscape, but those imperfections can’t keep down the scale and scope of excellent environments, grandiose bosses, and majestic music.
    Read full review
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