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Final Fantasy XIV left beta testing and launched its full build today on Xbox Series X|S, ushering in a whole new group of players ready to explore the length and breadth of Eorzea and beyond. These Xbox players, however, have one extra obstacle the rest of us don’t — FFXIV Coins. FFXIV Coins are the new currency introduced with the debut of the Xbox version, available from the Microsoft platform’s store. They’re only redeemable on Xbox, and players need them for purchasing items in the Online Store, paying their…

With Dawntrail on the horizon, though still with no confirmed release date, Final Fantasy XIV players are waking up to the last patch of the 6.5x era. It’s the bookend on the Anabaseios raid tier, and likely the version of the game you’ll spend the most time with leading into FFXIV 7.0. FFXIV Patch 6.58 doesn’t have a lengthy list of notes, but what the patch lacks in size, it makes up for in importance. There’s noteworthy changes to the Duty Finder / Raid Finder, adjustments to best-in-slot gear rewards, a new…

I’m a firm believer that the music of Final Fantasy XIV is among its biggest selling points and you don’t even need to play the game to appreciate just how good it is. The, frankly genius, Sound Director and Composer Masayoshi Soken is someone who I have endless respect and praise for, but we’ll get into the reasons why later. Until then, in the spirit of celebrating Soken and the FFXIV sound team’s work, I’m narrowing down a list of favorites. As we await a new era of bangers in Dawntrail, let’s look at my personal top…

Square Enix This article contains spoilers for Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Midway through 1997’s Final Fantasy VII, Cloud Strife walks up a small staircase and finds his companion, Aerith, kneeling on a small platform. She’s locked in prayer as holy-looking light streaks in through the windows around her. That serene moment gives way to a shocking tragedy. Aerith looks at Cloud and calmly smiles before the camera pans above her head. A black shadow bursts out of the light above her; it’s the…

Over the last nearly 40 years, Moogles have undergone a lot of changes. In every game of the Final Fantasy franchise, artists have tweaked the design of the fluffy, flying mailmen and each design is usually well received by players. This time, though, something is amiss. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth features, as you’d expect at this point within the franchise, Moogles. But these Moogles, in the words of more than one player, “look like cursed Koalas.” I have to admit, that was my first thought upon seeing them, too. If…

While there’s no shortage of ways to distract yourself while playing Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, one of the most unexpected minigames is the surprisingly deep piano system. In most of the major hub towns you encounter across the expansive world, Cloud can find a piano to sit down at and tickle the keys. You’re free to play any song you want in free play, but you can turn this system into a full-on rhythm game, almost like Guitar Hero, by collecting sheet music of some of the game’s most iconic tracks. There’s even an…

With reports that Embracer Group allegedly cancelled an upcoming Deus Ex game, hopes of a return to the series have been fading. The industry is in a sad state now, so if you want to cheer yourself up with a dose of Adam Jensen, you can pick up Mankind Divided for free next week. That’s one of the titles being given away over on Epic Games Store. The other is an indie puzzle from 2013 called The Bridge. Both will be available between March 14 and March 21. They will be replacing the sci-fi combat game Astro Duel 2. Deus…

The virtuosic symphonies of the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth soundtrack will bless our ears once again with the announcement of the Orchestra World Tour this year. The RPG’s reimagined score can be experienced live later this year (can I put a request for Sephiroth’s theme?), and with tickets on sale as early as this month. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Orchestra World Tour begins in Los Angeles, California, on August 10, 2024. Setlists include arrangements from notable Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu, the lead behind so many…

With the sad passing of Dragon Ball Z creator Akira Toriyama, Final Fantasy XIV players have come together across the world to pay tribute to a hero and legend of the anime sphere. Since news of Toriyama’s passing broke, players have gathered outside the Pugilist’s guild in Ul’dah, many dressed as some of the creator’s most beloved characters. Although best known for creating the foundational world of Dragon Ball Z, Toriyama was also renowned for his work on much-loved RPGs. From his character designs in Chrono Trigger…

Square Enix Among its many highlights, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth makes simple sidequests a lot more engaging than I had expected. Take an early-game sidequest called When Words Won’t Do. On a surface level, it’s a simple escort mission where players must get a dog from Under Junon to Crow’s Nest unscathed. I did not initially have high hopes for this sidequest due to the poor reputation of escort missions; thankfully, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth defied that fate. To make this optional content more worthwhile, Square…