In its fifth main enlargement, Dawntrail, Remaining Fantasy XIV is going through its greatest existential disaster but: the place does your story go now that its 10-year A-plot is over? Dawntrail forges forward with an pleasing summer season journey to the land of Tural, doubling as a computer virus for what lies in retailer for the way forward for the long-running MMO’s story. Dawntrail doesn’t match the narrative highs of the earlier pair of expansions and is flawed in a number of methods, however its themes of legacy, the significance of tradition, and accountable use of expertise ring all through.
Feeling extra like a Shonen anime than a fantasy epic of previous expansions, Dawntrail has a completely completely different really feel from the a whole lot of hours I’ve poured into FFXIV to date. It begins with a event of kinds, the place 4 claimants are vying for the title of Dawnservant, changing the retiring beloved ruler of the brand new continent of Tural. As an alternative of being the focal point, I’m helping this enlargement’s most important character, the energetic and passionate Wuk Lamat, in her bid to ascend to the ruler of her individuals, competing in a ceremony of succession by finishing trials.
Fairly than being pushed by battle, these refreshing trials are management classes, proving whether or not every competitor is worthy of the Dawnservant’s throne. I want the act of finishing these quests have been greater than menial duties, however Dawntrail’s masterful worldbuilding significantly outweighs my boredom from the dearth of motion within the early hours. On the core of every trial are fascinating classes in regards to the various cultures and areas of Tural based mostly on Latin American nations. I’m in awe of how a lot I linked with the mercantile trade-centric Pelupelu and located pleasure in reconnecting the colourful chicken people known as Hanuhanu with the significance and magic of their harvest rituals. Making me care in regards to the individuals of Tural goes a good distance towards bolstering my need to make issues proper for them when issues inevitably go south later within the enlargement.
Regardless of its easy premise, Dawntrail tackles some heavy topics throughout the ceremony of succession and past. Wuk Lamat goals to take the throne to retain the present peace her father has constructed for Tural over many a long time. Nevertheless, she isn’t alone in vying for the title of Dawnservant. Her brother Koana favors bettering society with overseas science. One other brother desires to grab peace by conquering every little thing, whereas the highly effective and ruthless Bakool Ja Ja envisions returning to the previous methods the place the strongest rule and the weak serve beneath them. Via every of their actions, Dawntrail explores how we cope with grief, the legacy we depart when our time on this mortal coil ends, and the perversion of the pure order by using superior expertise. The deeper down the philosophical rabbit gap Dawntrail goes, the extra invested I grew to become and extra forgiving of a few of its exhausting tonal shifts and occasional character inconsistencies.Whereas I like her anime most important character vitality, it’s generally exhausting to have the again of Wuk Lamat as a super ruler of her nation. Her ardour is infectious, and her curiosity and willingness to hear and be taught are admirable, however her actions usually battle along with her religious beliefs. Whereas striving to be a beacon for justice and peace, Wuk Lamat generally sacrifices her convictions and sweeps quite large atrocities below the rug that she would in any other case demand accountability for. It’s disappointing that these aren’t the moments she learns her greatest classes from, however quite breaking factors, swerving away from intriguing and sophisticated interactions that ought to have been explored.
Dawntrail’s dungeons and trials are persistently a delight, serving nice fight situations paired with one of the best tunes on the enlargement’s catchy soundtrack. Every boss struggle sports activities distinctive mechanics which can be intuitive to be taught and construct on each other, forming advanced and satisfying fight puzzles to unravel in the event you’re paying consideration. After taking part in an MMO for a whole lot of hours, it’s good to have difficult content material that assessments what I’ve discovered and introduces new methods to maintain me on my toes.
Dawntrail doesn’t attain the height of earlier Remaining Fantasy XIV expansions, however its path is completely different. Its mission is to start a brand new grand story, and it completely succeeds in inserting the threads for the longer term whereas weaving an efficient story about legacy and loss. Though I’ve grievances in regards to the tempo of questing and the primary character’s contradictory actions, I’ve beloved my time exploring Tural and might’t wait to see what the following chapter of the story brings.
