I’m considering starting Final Fantasy XIV from scratch and I’m curious about a few things. Will I end up out-leveling older content quickly, making it too easy to enjoy? How engaging is the combat for solo players? Are the bosses challenging like you’d find in single-player games? I’ve heard that it can take a long time, like 10 hours or more, before reaching the ‘good stuff.’ Is the early story really that bland? If so, can I skip those slower parts without missing important context for the later story? As a Final Fantasy fan, I’m excited, but I’m worried about sinking 60 hours before getting to the fun content.
3 Answers
The game’s combat is enjoyable and does get more demanding as you reach endgame content, but the MSQ itself is accessible and often easy. It goes through certain stages where the story builds up and can feel basic, but fans agree it’s all worth it. If you prefer a solo experience, absolutely focus on crafting or gathering too; there’s tons of solo content! Plus, you can watch cutscenes you’ve skipped later on, so you can stay engaged with the story as well.
You’ll generally keep pace with your levels while progressing through the Main Story Quest (MSQ), so you won’t feel overly powerful for long. The game allows you to solo most of it with helpful NPCs who take on roles like tank or healer alongside you in dungeons. Bosses start off simple so you can learn the ropes, but they do increase in challenge as you advance. If you’re patient, you’ll find the community is super friendly, and asking for tips is encouraged! Plus, there’s a free trial up to level 70, which gives you a chance to explore the game without commitment.
Definitely try the free trial first! It gives you a good feel for the game, and the MSQ is mostly solo-friendly, plus there’s plenty of content to keep you busy.
You might find yourself out-leveling the content, but FFXIV has a level sync feature that keeps things balanced when doing dungeons, so it’s not a total breeze. It’s mostly smooth sailing in the early MSQ, but it does ramp up later. Skipping the base game can lose you some important context, especially for characters and lore you’d encounter later. If you’re someone who values story, I recommend giving it a shot instead of skipping parts!
Good point! I’ve played other MMOs that let you skip, and it always led to confusion later on. I think taking your time with the story is worth it.
Exactly! You can use the New Game Plus feature to revisit the story if you want to catch up later. There’s so much to do, don’t rush through it!