Square Enix announced at this year’s Final Fantasy XIV Fanfest that the next expansion for the critically acclaimed Final Fantasy XIV will be called Shadowbringers and will be released in Summer 2019.
According to Naoki Yoshida, the Shadowbringers will finally take the fight to the Garlean Empire. In addition, players can also expect that more on the Ascians and the Warrior of Darkness will finally be uncovered.
As far as the new jobs that will be available, there has not been a confirmation thoug it has been hinted at the trailer about a character that can wield part gun and sword, similar to what Squall Leonhart of Final Fantasy VIII has been using.
Just before the expansion will be released, the Blue Mage job will be released when Patch 4.5 releases. It will feature a unique solo gameplay experience in which players will learn monster actions and advance through blue-mage specific content. The Blue Mage will begin with a level cap of 50 and will increase in the future with the addition of new content for the job.
Here are some of the highlights:
■ Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers
What awaits the Liberator?
Tension grips the land as six nations now stand allied against the Imperial armies of Garlemald.
With the threat of war on the horizon, the Warrior of Light comes face to face with an old enemy seemingly risen from the ashes—Zenos.
Could this impending conflict serve as a catalyst for an eighth and final umbral era?
It is time, once and for all…
To take down the Garlean Empire!
Key Plot Point No. 1
With the fall of the Scions, what will become of the Warrior of Light and the allied armies?
Key Plot Point No. 2
The First Emperor: Solus Zos Galvus
Elidibus: An Ascian with the Face of Zenos
Key Plot Point No. 3
The Warrior of Light must become the Warrior of Darness!
■ Version 5.0 Features
- Multiple new jobs
- A new level cap (from Level 70 to Level 80)
- Battle system maintenance
- Sprawling new areas
- New Area No. 1: The Rak’Tika Greatwood
- New Area No. 2: Amh Araeng
- New Beast Tribes and new Primals
- The Nu Mou
- Thrilling new dungeons
- Challenging new high-end raids
- Exciting new Alliance raids
- End-game content for Disciples of the Land and Hand
- Restoration of the Holy See of Ishgard
- NPC battle assist system: “Trust” – Similar to Final Fantasy XI, players will be able to party up with a story non-player character and do quests with them. This system will continually be updated with new non-player characters.
- New Game+ – Enables players to replay any of the old content.
- New System: World Visit – “Visit” worlds on the same data center via Aetherytes in Limsa Lominsa, Gridania, and Ul’dah. Progress through quests and other duties on the world of your choice. (Certain features are not available when visiting a different world.) Players can move freely between worlds on the same data center.
- New Playable Race – While the identity of the new race was not specifically stated, director and producer Naoki Yoshida hinted at it being Viera with the Bugs Bunny on the back of his t-shirt. Patch 4.5 will also hint at this race.
- More new information on Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers will be shared at the Final Fantasy XIV Paris Fan Festival on February 2.
■ Version 4.5 Features
- New Job: Blue Mage – Blue mage will be available to all players that own Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, have reached level 50 as a Disciple of War or Magic, and have completed the 2.0 main scenario. Taking inspiration from previous Final Fantasy titles, the blue mage job will provide a unique solo gameplay experience in which players will learn monster actions and advance through blue mage-specific content. Blue mage will begin with a level cap of 50, and increase in the future with the addition of new content for the job.
- Available at Patch 4.5
- The first “limited job” in Final Fantasy XIV
- Not connected with any class
- Monster actions are “learned”
- Blu-only Duty to be introduced
- Level cap set at 50 (will increase in the future)
- More details will be announced on November 17 during Naoki Yoshida’s Letter from the Producer Live.
Important Announcements
- End of support to Windows 32-bit operating systems
- World regrouping: The addition of new North America and European data centers
Check out some of the game’s trailer that was shown today: