Good God, where do I even start?

FFXIV 1.0 was a disastrous launch, I was fortunate enough not to be there. There are documentaries about what happened to this game, and I would recommend them if you are at all interested in this game's incredible history.

I started playing in the beta for FFXIV: A Realm Reborn, the 2.0 version of this game. The game was completely overhauled thanks to an in-universe apocalypse event.

The story starts small, you're a brand new adventurer and you travel the local area solving some problems with a few NPCs you meet. Eventually, you learn that this local threat is affecting the whole nation and you're inducted into a society of scholars who mean to put an end to it once and for all. These characters will become your companions for a very long and epic journey full of twists and turns that will take you from a hometown hero to a savior at the edge of creation.

The OST is simply fantastic. Masayoshi Soken is simply a legend, there is no other way to put it. The OST contains arrangements of FF classics like Battle on the Big Bridge and Eternal Wind as well as original tracks that literally bring me to tears. Seriously, I can't even think of "Close in the Distance" without starting to cry.

That time played is as of 08/03/22, and is not an exaggeration. There is so much content in this game and I haven't even done it all! Plenty of challenges, from lighthearted boss fights referencing previous FF titles to extremely grueling end-game battles that will test you and 7 of your closest allies... there is just so much to do and see.

If playing with others isn't your thing, they are activiely working on making the game more solo-friendly, too! What used to be instanced content for 4 players is now capable of being a solo affair. If you want to run this old content with players, though, don't fret! There are systems in place to ensure that even if you are queuing up for the very first dungeon in the game (that came out 9 years ago!) you won't have to wait very long for a group of players to join you.

Seriously, try this game. I'm sure you've heard by now but it has a very comprehensive free trial that includes everything up through the first expansion. Seriously, hundreds of hours of playtime without spending a penny. Try it!

This is my favorite 4X game, and possibly my favorite game of all time. The ENDLESS universe has inspired me greatly, and Endless Legend is without a doubt my favorite entry in the series (shoutout to Endless Space 2, though!).

There are a dozen or so unique factions (each with a wildly different playstyle from the others) and a whole bevy of options for customizing the map and game settings. There's always something new to try, and there are tons of mods on the Steam workshop as well. I will never be done playing this game.

I highly recommend downloading the community patch!

Something that really stands out to me is how much lore there is, and how well-crafted it is. Amplitude has even created a canon map of Auriga to play on, if you want the REAL experience. Also, the OST is simply superb. I honestly could gush for hours about it, but it's best you just go listen to it yourself!