Fans of both MMOs andFinal Fantasymost likely have heard and at some point playedFinal Fantasy 14and its expansions. As expected from aFinal FantasyMMO, thisSquare EnixRPG has fan-favorite signatures such as the iconic Job System, memorable characters, captivating storylines, and an outstanding soundtrack.
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Overall, fans considerFF14one of the best things to have come out of both Square Enix and the MMO space. However, with one reboot, three expansions, and a fourth expansion underway, how would fans rateFF14’s many iterations?
Updated on Jul 09, 2025, by Rhenn Taguiam:With theEndwalkerexpansion finally hitting gamers’ screens last December 7, newcomers and veterans ofFinal Fantasy 14might appreciate a quick look back at the previous expansions of the critically-acclaimed MMORPG. WithEndwalkerheralding a lot of changes to the future of the world of Hydaelyn and the Warriors of Light, players might not realize just how much the game changed since its previous expansions. However, just whichFF 14expansion provided the best changes to the game since its re-release asA World Reborn?
10A Realm Reborn: Self-Aware And Into New Life
Essentially,A Realm Rebornformally “corrects” the underwhelming originalFF14release. The story begins at the end of the Sixth Astral Era, back when the Garlean Empire launched a full-scale assault that culminated in the use of an ancient magic Meteor. This magic would force the moon Dalamud to descend and release its prisoner, the Primal Bahamut, that will purge all life in Eorzea.
Unfortunately, it would take the life of almost all heroes (NPCs) in1.0to stop Meteor. As such,ARRofficially starts when the player wakes up in a new Eorzea and soon discovers their true identity as the Warrior of Light.
It’s noteworthy to give credit to Square Enix’s handling ofARR’s story. Instead of simply “restarting” the game, the team managed to salvage the originalFF14story and segue a meansto add a restartwhile at the same time paying homage to players of1.0.
9A Realm Reborn: Square Enix MMO Done Right
In the context of 2013,ARReasily bests the other expansions with its highest achievement: redeeming the disastrous reception ofFF14 1.0. However, in the context ofFF 14today,ARRsimply provides the framework of patch upon patches of its unique MMO formula.
Players gain access toeight Classes that can evolve into Jobs. Additionally, players can switch Classes (and carry over special skills) at any point. Moreover,ARR’s combat shuffles the traditional MMO formula by focusing on juggling resources, CDs, and combos.
At this time,ARRalsocaptures player interest with its console compatibility. Despite the intensive nature of its combat mechanics, players can perfectly enjoyARRwith a controller. As such, aside from the story overhaul,ARR’s console-compatible, high-attention MMO gameplay easily makes it a standout game for its time.
8Stormblood: Enter The Morally Grey
Unlike the other expansions,Stormbloodgets praise for its focus on the morally grey. Its story revolves around rebellions within the Eorzean state of Ala Mhigo and the Far Eastern Doma against a conquering Garlean Empire. However, instead of being a standard “resistance good, empire bad” story,Stormbloodtackles more of the human condition that revolves around this tale.
As such,Stormbloodhas a delightful cast of characters with equally-valid personal stakes in the expansion. Additionally, players would loveStormblood’s slate of villains equally-invested in their goals. Sadly, despite its solid ending,Stormblooddid drag the story too often for players to properly enjoy the experience as a whole.
What’s New in Stormblood?
Stormblood, dubbed 4.0, will have players liberate Doma and Ala Mhigo after two decades of subjugation under the rule of the Garlean Empire:
7Stormblood: PVP Focus, Swimming Became Underwhelming
Being the “second” expansion afterARR, it makes sense forStormbloodto ease on rapid innovations. As such, aside from the underwhelming swimming mechanic, its biggest gameplay changes come in two categories. Firstly, the Samurai Job makes a welcome additionfor a fairly balanced melee DPS. Additionally, the Red Mage finally gives much-needed mobility to magic users.
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However, players do criticizeStormbloodfor its revamp on major combat mechanics. Essentially,Stormbloodmajorly “simplifies” combat and PVP by combining some interrelated abilities. In turn, others would sayStormblood’s PVP focus made combat more repetitive and less challenging for overall PVE.
6Heavensward: Take To The Skies
Of all earlyFF14expansions,Heavenswardeasily trumps the others for its robust improvement onARRaside fromstylish outfits. Essentially,Heavenswardsends the Warrior of Light to find refuge in the icy lands of Ishgard where they get involved in an ancient feud between humans, beastmen, and dragonkin. Without spoilers, this deep dive into a new region of Eorzea is standardFinal Fantasyat its core.
However, despite its attempts at innovation,Heavenswarddoes falter in terms of player experience. For instance, to ensure players become familiar with major players in the story, Square Enix did require all players to finish all content prior toHeavensward. Additionally, even the Jobs had to grind in previous story zones to meet the level cap requirement to take onHeavenswardand its quests.
What’s New in Heavensward?
Dubbed 3.0,Heavenswardintroduces the Dragonsong War - a millennium-long conflict between the Ishgard and the Dravanian Horde. Alongside this story comes new features:
5Heavensward: Testing Ideas, Innovation
As with other “first” expansions,Heavenswardtook stride in a lot of ideas for its mechanical and visual changes. First, the new race Au Ra corresponded to the dragon theme of Heavensward. Additionally, the new Astrologian, Dark Knight, and Machinist Jobs added much-needed versatility for Classes in terms of skills and visuals. These new Jobs do come with drasticrotation changes across the existing roster of Classes, forcing players to switch up their playstyle to adapt.
Additionally,Heavenswardboasted a new flying mechanic that fits well with the stunning visuals and depth of new areas such as Sohm Al and Ishgard. As such, the vast spaces of these zones also accommodated new dungeons players had to traverse in the grind from Level 40 to 50 inHeavensward. Despite criticisms towards this grind, others praised this change as a breakaway from immersion-breaking reliance on FATE events inARRto progress to the endgame.
4Shadowbringers: A Worthy Climactic Game-Changer
Of allFF14expansions,Shadowbringersboasts its heaviest story yet. After the events ofStormblood, the game ups the stakes when the evil immortals Ascians begin their plan to revive their dark god by plunging the world of Hydaelyn into chaos. In order to do this, they need a cataclysm in a dimension of darkness that would spill over into Hydaelyn. As such, players have to go to this dimension, called the First, to stop the eternal light from dominating the darkness - to restore balance.
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At its core,Shadowbringerscombines the intricate storytelling ofHeavenswardwith the personal stake ofStormblood. In turn, all plot points theoretically diverge inShadowbringers. Most characters introduced in the previous expansions settle their stories inShadowbringers, much to the joy and devastation of players. In the end, the story concludes with a climactic finish that sets up a new status quo forEndwalker.
3Shadowbringers: A Set Up For The Future
Given the criticisms withStormblood’s gameplay changes,Shadowbringersonce switches up overall mechanics. Essentially, the expansion reworked almost all Jobsto boost the efficacy of most kits. This change is a welcome one, considering the challenging nature of the expansion’s new dungeons. Sadly, players have qualms over the White Mage and healing, as most Healers seem to have very similar kits in the expansion.
Regardless,Shadowbringersboasts endgame content that continues to challenge the existing meta. In turn, players can feel satisfied in both training forEndwalkerand the sheer grind for new loot.
What’s New in Shadowbringers?
Shadowbringers serves as 5.0 of the game, players venture into the dying region of Norvrandt in the First, where everything is overrun with Light. Players dwell within the haven city of Crystarium while Eulmore is the home of the elite and wealthy. Here are other features:
2Endwalker: Building To A Crescendo Across 10 Years
Unlike other MMOs, it seemsEndwalkerwill put an end toFF14’s ongoing 10-year storyline. Granted, Square Enix made no news thatEndwalkerserves as the final expansion for the game. However, director Naoki Yoshida did emphasize that this expansion provides an “end” that other MMOs can’t provide.
This sense of foreboding further adds to the excitement and thrill thatEndwalkerteases into its story. As per the trailer, players find themselves at the dawn of yet another end of days. This time around, the game now takes players to Hydaelyn’s remaining Moon, the Garlean capital of Garlemald, and its neighbor state of Radz-at-Han.
What’s New in Endwalker?
Endwalker, dubbed 6.0, is the climax of the story between Hydaelyn and Zodiark, wherein the Final Days receive a return alongside a new threat. Here are other new features:
1Endwalker: Enter The Sage, New Mysteries
Granted, Square Enix has yet to reveal the full extent of changes toEndwalker. However, players know enough to feel optimistic about the expansion. For instance, players can expect a new healer in the form of the Sage. This addition merits a balance change across healers, which will make the Scholar focus on shielding while the Astrologian becomes healing-oriented.
Meanwhile, players can expecta new melee DPSto appear as well. Outside combat, it seemsFF14will let players enjoy life not just in player housing but also in an island sanctuary.
Final Fantasy 14: Endwalkerwas released on June 12, 2025, for the PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and macOS.
