Developer: Square Enix
Publisher: Square Enix
Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2
Tested on: Switch 2
Final Fantasy XIV Online (Switch 2) – Review
If you had told us a year ago that we’d be playing Final Fantasy XIV Online in handheld mode on our Switch 2 someday, we wouldn’t have believed you. Sure, the console was a step up from its predecessor, but surely it wouldn’t be capable of handling such a behemoth of an MMORPG, right? In this case, we’re happy to admit that we were wrong. FFXIV is here, and it runs like a dream, barring a handful of caveats. Whether you’re a newcomer to FFXIV or if you’re an existing player wondering if it’s worth double dipping, we’ve got you covered.
Story
Where do you even begin with this one? FFXIV’s story spans hundreds of hours and several expansions by this point. With the next expansion, Evercold, on the horizon for early 2027, the game shows no signs of stopping yet either. Perhaps the best place to start is, well, the beginning. FFXIV takes players to the land of Eorzea, where the expansionist Garlean Empire is threatening to overtake the city-states of the Eorzean Alliance. Against this backdrop of geopolitical tension, the goddess of light, Hydaelyn, chooses you to become her chosen champion and find six magical crystals to repel an approaching darkness. This serves as the foundation for the so-called Hydaelyn-Zodiark Saga, which is just the jumping-off point. Newcomers can play the game all the way up to the Shadowbringers expansion, adding up to 170 hours of content without having to pay up front. Needless to say, as newcomers, we’ve only barely scratched the surface of the story for our review.
Graphics
Some compromises had to be made here, with graphical settings, textures, and draw distance having been lowered compared to other platforms. DLSS is used to help smooth out performance, but even then distant objects display shimmer and aliasing is noticeable. Textures are occasionally muddy, and character animations are stiff, although it’s hard to tell whether this is the result of FFXIV being downscaled to run on Switch 2 or if the game is just showing its age in places. It is over a decade old, after all. Handheld mode is also capped at 30 FPS, and while this limitation is removed when docked, in practice it rarely ever hits 60 FPS, instead hovering near that same 30 FPS cap. Somehow though, we still couldn’t help but be impressed. Even on the relatively small screen of the Switch 2, FFXIV retains its impressive scale and vibrant world aesthetic, managing to instill that same sense of awe. It’s an inferior version compared to its bigger brothers, yes, but it performs adequately, and most importantly, gives you an option to play the game on the go (provided you have internet access).
Sound
Given the sheer amount of lore that is dumped on you in the opening hours of the game, it’s a bit of a shame that so little of it is actually voiced. When voice acting does occur, during cutscenes and in key dialogue, the performances are fantastic, although the audio quality definitely shows its age here and there. The music on the other hand is timeless, though given the series’ history, that’s hardly surprising. It’s hard not to crack a smile when you boot up the game and hear that familiar Final Fantasy theme playing.
Gameplay
Combining the classic Final Fantasy gameplay we’ve come to know and love with the scope and scale of a massive MMORPG, FFXIV is a game that can be overwhelming for newcomers, even if it sounds straightforward on paper. The core loop is that of a classic MMORPG, with your self-created character exploring an open world filled with main story quests and side quests. There are dungeons to be tackled and enemies to be defeated, allowing you to grind levels. Daily tasks and limited-time events incentivize you to keep coming back. In this regard, FFXIV sticks to a tried-and-true formula. As for those Final Fantasy mechanics, combat uses a cooldown-based action system that echoes the classic ATB mechanic, where classes have distinct gimmicks. You can level dozens of combat and non-combat jobs on your character, with non-combat crafting roles like goldsmithing or mining featuring intricate mini-game mechanics that balance durability, progress, and quality.
Graphical compromises aside, FFXIV translates wonderfully to the Switch 2 in terms of how the game plays. Cross-hotbar controls translate well to controller inputs, with the game giving mouse mode another chance to shine. Touchscreen interactions in handheld mode are fantastic for menu navigation as well, although UI elements can be a tad too small, requiring you to manually resize them to avoid accidental finger activations. We wouldn’t go as far as to say that this is the definitive way to play FFXIV, but it’s perfectly valid if you don’t have any other options. Given that this is still the full-fledged FFXIV experience, and because of the game’s account-based nature, it is definitely worth considering the Switch 2 port as a secondary platform, as you can continue playing where you left off on PC when you’re away from home (again, provided you have internet access). Or at least, it would be, if there wasn’t yet another small caveat, this time of a monetary nature.
Like any other MMORPG, FFXIV requires a monthly subscription fee if you intend to play it past the free content. And to FFXIV’s credit, the amount of content in the free trial is ridiculous. In terms of pure content volume, the game offers incredible value. However, being able to play the game on Switch 2 isn’t included in your subscription for other platforms, requiring you to buy so-called FFXIV Coins to be able to use its crossplay capabilities. Granted, you would get a 50% discount if you already have an existing subscription, but this dual-subscription structure is still an unnecessary barrier that reduces the port’s long-term value for multi-platform players. Those same players already know what to expect from the game, and whether or not they’re okay with paying Square’s “Switch 2 tax” comes down to an individual decision. If you’re not an FFXIV player yet, then the only thing that should hold you back from giving the game a try would be the game’s massive file size. It occupies upwards of 100 GB, which can be a hurdle to overcome given the system’s limited storage space and the prohibitive cost of a microSD Express card. If you have the space, then give FFXIV a go. First hit’s free after all.
Conclusion
Compromises and caveats aside, the Switch 2 port of FFXIV even existing is a small miracle in and by itself. The critically acclaimed MMORPG now literally fits in the palm of your hand, and runs like a charm. We probably won’t need to convince veterans that double dipping is worth considering, but if you hadn’t checked out FFXIV just yet, this should provide the perfect excuse to see what the fuss is all about.
No Comments