Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail rises to a mixed reception in its opening weekend, though I don't think the sky's falling just yet

GamesRPGFinal FantasyFinal Fantasy 14Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail rises to a mixed reception in its opening weekend, though I don’t think the sky’s falling just yetWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

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(Image credit: Square Enix)

Erenville, a side character in Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail, stands proudly on a ship with the sea breeze in his hair.

Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail released into Early Access last week, and while its servers have miraculously (bar one brief hiccup)held up, Dawntrail’s reception has been decidedlydivisiveso far.

First off,the expansion has “Mixed” reviews on Steam. I don’t think this is an indication of anything, though, since said reviews are only 600 strong, and FF14 has many, many more people playing it. The only real takeaway you can pull from this information is that, well, very few people bother to review FF14 expansions on Valve’s platform.

We can see far more controversy in discussion hubs, though. The official forum is ahive of complaints, with some calling its storyunderwhelmingand a"disaster and a waste of potential".

Dawntrail, in contrast, is literally a new dawn for the old MMO. It has agame-changing graphics update strapped to the side, sure, but it’s also a reset on the game’s dramatic stakes. We went from saving quite possibly the entire universe to being a chaperone for a cat princess. Even a fresh start needs to, well, startsomewhere.

Just to get my Apkallu in a row going forward—this will contain spoilers for Endwalker, and minor-to-moderate spoilers up until level 94 in Dawntrail’s main scenario quest.

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I, for one, have been having a grand old time. In the interest of fairness, though, I’m going to lay out the two main gripes I’ve seen in the most even-keel way I can—let’s don our twin Viper blades and cut through some noise.

A Realm Reborn, again

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Alisaie, a side character in Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail, folds her arms with a confident smirk on her face.

Dawntrail inherits this legacy, but also has the unfortunate task of resetting the overall narrative’s stakes. There’s a double-up effect going on, here: the Main Scenario Quest (MSQ) suffers from a long legacy of slow-burn worldbuilding, while also having a chronic lack of urgency. So far, this has produced something that’s very saturday morning cartoon.

It’s not until the second dungeon that Dawntrail’s MSQ actually seems to pick up.

Even as someone who is generally enjoying themselves, I can see where these complaints are coming from. FF14’s MSQs have always been cutscene and dialogue-heavy, but you really start to feel it here—unless you’re doing side quests like I am, of course, but I don’t think optional content should be mandatory just to preserve a game’s pacing.

(Image credit: Square Enix)

The king of Tural in Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail rests, imposingly, upon his throne.

Your Warrior of Light is taking a major backfoot, too. I personally don’t mind this, but I can see why it bothers people, and there have been several cutscenes where I’ve asked myself: “I get that I’m new here, but surely I’m justified in just kicking this guy’s butt.” I got to do so eventually, but in the shoes of an NPC while my dearest OC literally watched from the sidelines. I was invested enough in said NPC to have a blast, but I can see why it’d be a straw that breaks the chocobo’s back for others.

Speaking of watching from the side lines, let’s talk about Wuk Lamat.

Dawnservant-in-training

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Wuk Lamat, one in line to become Dawnservant, grins widely as she rides a parade float through one of FF14: Dawntrail’s earlier zones.

Wuk Lamat, depending on who you ask, is either the most precious creature to have tumbled out of Square Enix’s collective brain trust, or an annoying whiny anime protagonist we’re forced to play second fiddle to. I really like her, myself, but let’s talk about why people don’t, as the truth of the matter is (as always) more complicated.

Throughout the early MSQ, Wuk Lamat is generally well-intentioned but out of her depth. There’s a running joke about her getting sea-sick (that’s a touch overplayed), she has to catch herself up on local traditions, and she has a hard time controlling her emotions. Whether you find this endearing or not is going to be to personal taste, but if you find her grating, tough luck: You’re joined to her at the hip. It’s the Wuk Lamat show.

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Wuk Lamat, next in line for the throne in Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail, shares her disinterest in her past next to a campfire.

Even your Warrior of Light’s assessment of Wuk Lamat is “she shows promise, but isn’t quite there yet” or “she’s not ready”. The story knows she’s unprepared, that’s the entire premise, it just doesn’t convey it early enough.

The story knows she’s unprepared, that’s the entire premise, it just doesn’t convey it early enough.

I’m already starting to watch Wuk Lamat develop in some really endearing ways, but first impressions do matter—and unfortunately, I think the MSQ leans hard enough into her comic relief early on that those already tired of her will only grow more exhausted. I was still whooping and hollering when she finally grew a spine in a quest late last evening, myself.

There’s also her voice actor, who has been drawing some criticism for her performance. I personally think it’s been fine. I will concede that there have been some lines where the delivery’s been confusing, though I’ve also noticed this happening with other characters as well. Which is an issue ofdirection,not acting—on the whole, I think Wuk Lamat’s been appropriately charming, joyful, and excitable. The puss fits the boots.

The happy stay quiet

(Image credit: Square Enix)

A cute critter in a mountain range dungeon featured in Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail floats, surrounded by magic crystals.

Now we’ve been over the bad, here’s the good so far.

I’ve already waxed lyrical about the graphical upgrades, but Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail’s zones are such a massive step up from its predecessors it’s absurd. The world feels much larger, its vistas are breathtaking, and part of my enjoyment has been simply soaking in its ambiance like a piping hot bath. It’s not just a touch-up—Dawntrail’s concept and environmental artists have popped off with their new toys.

Image1of3(Image credit: Square Enix)(Image credit: Square Enix)(Image credit: Square Enix)

Image1of3

(Image credit: Square Enix)(Image credit: Square Enix)(Image credit: Square Enix)

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Several screenshots from Dawntrail, displaying the gorgeous vistas held within - rocky alpine terrain and verdant forests with beautiful waterfalls.

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Several screenshots from Dawntrail, displaying the gorgeous vistas held within - rocky alpine terrain and verdant forests with beautiful waterfalls.

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Several screenshots from Dawntrail, displaying the gorgeous vistas held within - rocky alpine terrain and verdant forests with beautiful waterfalls.

The game’s encounter design has been massively improved as well. For years, Creative Business Unit 3 has been using the same telegraphs over and over, and now it’s actuallyplayingwith them. Dawntrail’s slow, ponderous story isn’t enough to showcase this right away, but I think we’ll all start reaping the benefits when we hit endgame.

I will also say that my boots-on-the-ground experience hasn’t been nearly as terrible as the discourse would have you believe. What I see are most people having a jolly old time—running around, doing quests, and laughing at the funny orange cat girl. Most people, when they’re enjoying a game, aren’t going to take to the forums to complain. Even Endwalker had its detractors early-on.

Most people, when they’re enjoying a game, aren’t going to take to the forums to complain.

Moreover, though, I think Dawntrail has produced a very strange phenomenon: Its MSQ is a drink best sipped, not chugged. Its slower pace benefits a more holistic approach to the expansion’s content: Taking routine pit-stops to do side quests, fates, or level crafters vastly improves the entire feeling of the journey.

This means that anyone far enough in to have opinions right now is, coincidentally, the least likely to enjoy what Dawntrail’s aiming for. They’ve spent 48 hours digging for a thrilling plot in the story mines, and their arms are sore. I don’t think they’re wrong to engage with the game’s story in that sort of way, and I think the MSQ should be well-paced enough to stop that from happening, but Dawntrail was never going to reward that kind of industriousness like Endwalker did.

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Forchenaut sees off his children and the Warrior of Light as they depart from the docks in Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail.

In a way, Dawntrail mirrors the “worst” expansion, Stormblood. We’re taking a back-seat to the problems and politics of other cultures, we’re exploring a new and foreign landscape, and there’s a central protagonist who is well-meaning but a little bone-headed—one who is in a love-or-hate relationship with the fanbase writ large.

But it’s also mirroring thegoodof Stormblood, as well—with great visuals, textured worldbuilding, and some excellent battle content. I think people are going to grow fond of it when the expansion gold-rush fades, but who knows. Maybe Wuk Lamat’ll do something unforgivable in my next six levels, but for now I’m excited to see her through her journey to the throne—even if I sometimes feel like a sidekick rather than the hero.

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Alisaie, a side character in Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail, folds her arms with a confident smirk on her face.

Final Fantasy 14 communities panic as it turns out change to blacklisting, meant to help reduce stalking, also lets players use mods to track their alts

An image of Alphinaud and Alisaie sitting together at a table. Alphinaud, a studious young elezen, takes a sip of his tea while Alisaie sulks into her chair.

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The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals#

A Realm Reborn, again#

Dawnservant-in-training#

The happy stay quiet#

The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals

A Realm Reborn, again

Dawnservant-in-training

The happy stay quiet