Is Final Fantasy XIV better than World of Warcraft? Final Fantasy XIV has been the hot topic of the day within the World of Warcraft fandom. We’ve entered a content drought reminiscent of the Warlords of Draenor days. Speculation is that we won’t receive patch 9.1 until eight months after Shadowlands release. So it’s no surprise that fans are looking elsewhere to scratch their gaming itch.
Well, there’s no better place to look than Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. World of Warcraft’s biggest competitor recently had its fan fest. Final Fantasy fans’ jubilation and excitement for the announcement of the next expansion titled Endwalker could be felt in every corner of the internet. So it’s no surprise that World of Warcraft fans want to know what all the fuss is about.
I’ve been playing Final Fantasy XIV for a month now. So I’m such a traitor, but you can’t blame me when the Final Fantasy XIV free trial goes up to level 60. I was originally introduced to the game by my godmother last year before she passed away. After she was gone I stopped playing the game because it didn’t feel the same. Now that time has passed and World of Warcraft is experiencing an epic content drought I decided to dust off my old Final Fantasy XIV account and give the game another try.
Square Enix also presented new Final Fantasy games at E3 2021. So, let’s compare World of Warcraft and its biggest competitor Final Fantasy XIV.
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Is Final Fantasy XIV Better Than World Of Warcraft?
What Is Final Fantasy XIV?
Final Fantasy XIV is the second MMORPG in the popular Final Fantasy series. The game is as famous for its successes as it is for its failures.
When Final Fantasy XIV was originally launched in 2010 it was terrible. Legacy was so bad that Square Enix began losing money. To save both the game and the company a restructure of the Final Fantasy XIV team was imminent.
Enter Naoki Yoshida (Yoshi-P) into the picture. Square tasked Yoshi-P with saving the sinking ship that was legacy Final Fantasy XIV. As the game director, he implemented the Fall of Dalamud storyline. Players who suffered through legacy fought to save Eorzea (continent on Hydaelyn). Dalamud was an artificial satellite (moon) that orbited the world of Hydaelyn. As you can see in the trailer below, Dalamud was dropped onto Eorzea and the primal Bahamut burst forth.
Bahamut unleashed chaos. Eorzea never looked the same after the calamity. This was a blessing because the original maps of legacy were copy and pasted atrocities. What makes Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn better than World of Warcraft is that Square Enix learned from its mistakes. Activision Blizzard is currently heading down a similar road. Arrogance and disrespect towards fans could’ve destroyed Square Enix. Hopefully, Blizzard Entertainment can figure things out before it gets that far.
Check out the trailer for Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn below!
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Why Final Fantasy XIV Might Be Better Than WoW?
Is Final Fantasy XIV better than WoW? Well, both games are MMORPGs. The genre is known for epic fantasy worlds and death-defying adventures. Both games allow you to create a player character. This “adventurer” travels the world to save it.
Dungeons, raiding, and PvP (player vs. player) combat make up the bulk of group play. Questing is how you learn about the story and level. But, these are how the games are alike. We need to discuss what makes them different.
Community is what makes the biggest difference. The Warcraft fandom has earned a reputation for toxicity. Blizzard Entertainment used to enforce a more civil environment back in the day. Honestly, most WoW players can’t tell you the last time we’ve seen a game master (GM) in-game. Final Fantasy XIV excels at keeping their community safe and inclusive.
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What Makes Final Fantasy XIV Better Continued
When I first created a black character in Shadowlands there was an uncomfortable spotlight on me. Some WoW players would literally stop and back-track to gaze at my character.
Final Fantasy XIV has been a breath of fresh air. Not only is my player character black within the game, but the community is so kind and accepting. I’ve been playing the game for about a month. So far I’ve yet to see any derogatory language toward marginalized groups.
Also, Final Fantasy XIV is incredibly kind to new players. All new players are placed within the Novice Network upon joining. The Novice Network is a helpful group of experienced players. Dungeons and raids have no pressure. In World of Warcraft if you don’t know the fight rest assured you will be reprimanded. It’s not uncommon to be cursed out because you died in a raid. The Final Fantasy XIV community doesn’t tolerate that type of rude behavior to new players. So you can feel comfortable learning the fights and your class (job).
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What Else Sets Final Fantasy XIV Apart From World of Warcraft?
The story is a huge deal in Final Fantasy XIV. Great care was taken by the development team when creating the lore. Within the world of Final Fantasy XIV, your player character becomes the Warrior of Light. So immersive is the storytelling that I’ve cheered and cried over the game’s non-player characters (NPCs).
Rushing to the end game within Final Fantasy XIV means that you never played the game. World of Warcraft used to remember that the journey is what mattered within an MMORPG. I’m glad that Final Fantasy XIV hasn’t lost sight of that.
Final Fantasy XIV feels like a modern MMORPG. World of Warcraft is showing its age. It took WoW 15 years to add diverse customization to the game. Azeroth is a fascinating world, but it might look better in an updated engine. Lately, the WoW developers have taken a tone-deaf approach to feedback from the WoW community. They appeal to hardcore players and raiders.
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What Else Sets Final Fantasy XIV Apart Continued
I have a physical disability because of arthritis in my hands. So being able to play Final Fantasy XIV on my PC and PS4 has been a godsend. I’m able to choose whichever system feels the most comfortable for my pain level.
The game is available on PC, PS4, and PS5. I don’t feel as if Final Fantasy XIV is subliminally telling me that I’m not playing the game correctly by not raiding.
My reactions are slower. So I’d be a liability to a raiding team. In Final Fantasy XIV, you are required to complete dungeons and raids in the Duty Finder, but I’m able to do them when I want. Also, as previously mentioned the fandom is kinder to new players and those with disabilities.
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More Examples Of What Makes Final Fantasy XIV Great
I also have severe depression and anxiety. Even though I know the Final Fantasy XIV community won’t be cruel in group content my anxiety rises.
These negative feelings are from years of playing WoW. It saddens me that I’ve harbored fears of doing group content for a long time. Every time I participate in a raid within WoW I’m nervous. I can proudly say that my anxiety is less when playing Final Fantasy XIV.
Playing Final Fantasy XIV has helped my anxiety. The game is relaxing to play. Questing has always been one of my favorite things to do in MMORPGs. The story has me glued to my seat. My character is at the end of A Realm Reborn. She’s currently level 53 and counting. I’m excited to explore the rest of Eorzea and Hydaelyn in the future.
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Examples Continued
Within Final Fantasy XIV you can learn all of the jobs (classes and professions) on one character. In World of Warcraft, you have to create alternate characters to learn different classes and professions.
Final Fantasy XIV considers all classes and professions jobs. So you can visit the guild of the respective job and train. So far I’ve only learned how to play Arcanist and Summoner. I’ve tried Thaumaturge and I enjoy the job. I’m hoping to learn more jobs in the future.
Staples of the Final Fantasy franchise are also prominent within the game. Cactuar roams throughout the deserts of Thanalan, and Chocobos are rideable. You can also teach your Chocobo to fight by your side.
Adorable carbuncles are available as summons and pets. Famous Final Fantasy villains called primals are a constant threat to Eorzea. So your character and the Scions of the Seventh Dawn fight to control the primal threat. Primals include beasts like Bahamut, Ifrit, Leviathan, and more. Fighting the primals is exciting and rewarding. As an Arcanist, my character learns how to summon mini versions of the primals to fight by her side.
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Welcome To Eorzea!
Final Fantasy XIV might look strange to the uninitiated. Bunny girls and cat people are abundant. If you’re able to get past the unique look of the game, then give it a shot. You can try Final Fantasy XIV for free until level 60.
The free trial is risk-free and generous. Guilds exist within the game, but they’re referred to as Free Companies. These Free Companies offer the same companionship and help as any guild.
Player housing is also available within Final Fantasy XIV. The housing market is competitive though. So getting a house or an apartment can be difficult. If you’re in a Free Company sometimes they own a house for their members. You can attempt to get a room within the Free Company house. Player housing is a topic of contention within the WoW community.
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Welcome To Eorzea Continued
World of Warcraft players has requested player housing for years. Blizzard Entertainment’s response was to give us garrisons in Warlords of Draenor instead.
The garrisons weren’t the same as housing, and it made the game world feel barren. WoW developers also included a little joke in the garrisons to let us know that creating them costs players a raid tier. Interestingly enough, Warlords of Draenor was also an expansion that featured a content drought.
Lastly, there isn’t a debate about flying in Final Fantasy XIV. The game includes flying, but the developers aren’t against it, and players don’t argue over it. Player vs. Player combat exists without issue in battlegrounds.
Try the Final Fantasy XIV free trial until level 60. The game is certainly worth trying if you’re looking for a new MMORPG to play. If you’d love to learn more about Final Fantasy XIV’s rise and fall then check out the Speakers Network below.
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Final Fantasy Franchise At E3 2021
Besides Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker the fandom has more to look forward to. The annual gaming expo E3 has been taking place this weekend. During the Square Enix Presents showcase several Final Fantasy games were mentioned. These included Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origins and the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster.
Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origins is a new direction for the series. Square Enix worked on the game in collaboration with Team NINJA at KOEI TECMO GAMES. Head of Team NINJA, Fumihiko Yasuda had this to say about the new title.
“I’m truly happy to be involved with a new FINAL FANTASY, and a title connected to its origin at that,” said Fumihiko Yasuda, Head of Team NINJA at KOEI TECMO GAMES. “Using the feedback that the players provide after playing the trial version, all of us at Team NINJA will work to make this a title that meets the expectations of not only action game fans, but also FINAL FANTASY series fans around the world!”
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Final Fantasy Franchise At E3 2021 Continued
Popular game director, character designer, and producer, Tetsuya Nomura, is producing the new game. Nomura is most famous for directing the KINGDOM HEARTS series.
The Kingdom Hearts series is a unique blend of Final Fantasy and Disney. So it’s basically an epic mashup of western and eastern ideas. Nomura released a statement that was posted on Stranger of Paradise’s official Twitter account.
“While it is FINAL FANTASY, it feels different—but there’s no doubt that the blood of FINAL FANTASY runs through its veins,” said Tetsuya Nomura, Creative Producer for STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN. “We’ve undertaken the challenge of finding this difficult middle ground for this mature and stylish title. We need a little time until we’re able to complete it, and while the battle system is a bloody one, it does link to the story, so I hope you’ll use this opportunity to give it a try.”
Nomura is asking Final Fantasy fans to try the free demo which is available on the PS5. The demo for Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origins will be available until June 24th.
“The announcement may have come as a surprise to you. Much of it is still shrouded in mystery, nonetheless this is an action game, so I suggest you play it to see what it’s like. The trial version will be released shortly for a limited time. I hope you enjoy it.” – Tetsuya Nomura
— STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN (@fforigin) June 13, 2021
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Final Fantasy Franchise At E3 2021 Cont: Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster And More
The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster brings the classic games to mobile and steam. Included within the remaster are Final Fantasy I, Final Fantasy II, Final Fantasy III, Final Fantasy IV, Final Fantasy V, and Final Fantasy VI. More information will be revealed at a later date. The Final Fantasy series has delighted gamers for over 30 years.
Now is a great time to check out the original games which are built upon benchmarks of spectacular visuals, highly imaginative worlds, rich stories, memorable characters, and technical gameplay which leads the gaming industry in innovation. Each mainline game in the series is a new experience so you can jump into the series at any point. The Final Fantasy series has sold over 161 million units worldwide and has delighted generations of gamers.
Also, Square Enix featured several other games at their showcase. These games included Legend of Mana, Babylon’s Fall, Life is Strange: True Colors, and Save the Universe (Probably) With Marvel’s Guardian’s of the Galaxy.
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Final Fantasy Franchise At E3 2021 continued
Legend of Mana revealed a new opening cinematic. This is the remastered version of the fourth installment in the classic Mana series.
Babylon’s Fall was developed in partnership with PlatinumGames Inc. (NieR: Automata). The game features fluid co-op combat, powerful weapons, and a unique and striking art style. The game will be coming to PS5, PS4, and Steam. Parties of four can play the game together. Sign up for Babylon’s Fall closed beta here.
Life is Strange: True Colors introduces a new protagonist Alex Chen. She will use her psychic power of empathy to solve a mystery that will make her question everyone and everything in the small town of Haven Springs. The game was developed by Deck Nine Games.
Lastly, Square Enix presented Save the Universe (Probably) with Marvel’s Guardian’s of the Galaxy. The game is a bold third-person narrative action-adventure game. Original storytelling with electrifying single-player gameplay makes this game unique. Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy was developed by Eidos-Montréal in collaboration with Marvel Entertainment. The game will release on PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One consoles, and streaming via GeForce NOW on October 26, 2021.
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Is Final Fantasy XIV Better Than World Of Warcraft?
Are You Ready To Become The Warrior Of Light?
Is Final Fantasy XIV better than World of Warcraft? The game gives WoW a run for its money. I don’t intend to stop playing WoW. Also, I haven’t had the chance to try the end game yet in Final Fantasy XIV. If you’re a hardcore raider then our opinion could differ. Again, it doesn’t hurt to try the Final Fantasy XIV free trial and see how you feel.
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If you’re bored with Shadowlands then don’t forget that the Burning Crusade Classic has gone live. Experience World of Warcraft as you’ve never done before as you cross the Dark Portal. Challenge Illidan Stormrage at the Black Temple, and face the Burning Legion.
Of course, the Burning Crusade Classic launched with controversy. Within the World of Warcraft, fandom controversy has reigned supreme. Don’t let it ruin your enjoyment of the game. But, don’t allow rose-tinted glasses to blind you to WoW’s faults. Hopefully, World of Warcraft is going through a rough patch and will soon come out on top.
Activision Blizzard will have to shift focus to player satisfaction instead of metrics and money-making ideas. Square Enix learned that lesson the hard way with legacy Final Fantasy XIV. Maybe Blizzard Entertainment needs a wake-up call too.
Thank you for hanging out at my hearth.
Happy Hunting,
Spyells