The time has finally come for the highly anticipated Patch 5.3 for Final Fantasy 14. The latest update Reflections in Crytal launched yesterday, bringing with it a slew of exciting changes to the massively successful MMO. Alongside the conclusion to the critically acclaimed Shadowbringers, 5.3 is also expanding the Free Trial length.
Patch 5.3 offers up a sizeable chunk of content for new and old players alike. For those returning to the game to finish off the Shadowbringers storyline, they will have access to a new main scenario quest.
In this final act, the Scions set out to bring light to the dark plot being concocted the Ascian Elidibus (words that I am sure make sense to those who have played this latest content). In addition to the new scenario, existing Shadowbringers content has been streamlined with changes to the overall length and EXP rewards.
Final Fantasy 14
On the other end of the spectrum, if you’re a new player who is interested in trying out Final Fantasy XIV for the first time, 5.3 has brought new changes to the Free Trial mode. The trial content now includes everything up to and including the game’s second expansion, Heavensward, a massive amount of content for free. You’ll be able to level up your character to level 60 also and have access to an additional playable race and new roles.
This is just scratching the surface of what is on offer in 5.3 too. Alongside the new story content, it also brings a new dungeon and a new trial for players to test their might against. There have also been a string of minor updates made to roles, older story content and New Game +. The patch also adds more brand synergy content to the game, including cross over content with the Nier and YO-KAI-WATCH franchises. It’s an exhaustive list of content but you can check out the full list right here in the official patch notes.
Then there’s the much-touted changes being made to the base content of the game. 5.3 brings a decent overhaul to the main scenario content, aiming to streamline it for new players to better their first hours with the game. Just how well this is implemented remains to be seen but keep an eye on PowerUp! for ongoing coverage of how a new player feels coming into Final Fantasy 14 in 2020.
If you’re after a more comprehensive look at 5.3 and beyond be sure to check out our extensive chat with the game’s director Yoshida Naoki. We had the chance to talk to the man often credited as the saviour of the game about a wide variety of topics including how 5.3 was designed and why it matters to draw new players in. Of course, we couldn’t not ask about the game’s future on next-generation consoles and his answer was hopeful.
