FFXIV Dawntrail review: A vision reborn

I don’t envy the narrative team in Square Enix’s Creative Business Unit III, tasked with creating a fresh, new start for the decade-old, critically acclaimed MMO Final Fantasy XIV. Contrary to what we see in the modern media landscape, it’s okay (and necessary) for stories to end when the time is right, and I eyed Dawntrail, FFXIV’s new expansion, with some trepidation, wondering if there’s really room for a new story or even a need for one. Whether FFXIV needed Dawntrail depends on how Square Enix builds on it in the future – but for now, I’m glad it exists. Despite some pacing issues and a bit of idealism, Dawntrail is a strong new start and a fresh narrative vision dense with meaningful, relevant themes and ideas. Dawntrail picks up where the final Endwalker quest left off. The Warrior of Light (you) and a few of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn leave Sharlayan with Wuk Lamat, a Hrothgar from across the sea who enlists your aid in her bid to become leader of her people. You’ll want to brush up on your in-ga