Final Fantasy XIV released on the Switch 2 as of a few weeks ago (depending on date of publication). I bought the Complete Edition, which gives access through Dawntrail… without knowing about the impending free trial version due out on August 4th. Still, I got 2 months+ worth of playtime to work with before having to get a Switch 2-specific subscription. So, how does it fare so far just after the A Realm Reborn expansion? Let’s find out!
The Story so Far…
Now, if you’re a Switch 2 newbie (like I am), then a lot of what is mentioned here will appear overwhelming to you, especially the plot of A Realm Reborn. Though, don’t worry, you do not need to play FFXIV 1.0 to understand FFXIV: A Realm Reborn’s story, though having prior knowledge will help in understanding the context of certain flashbacks.You see, those masked individuals working with the Ixal (if your hometown is New Gridinia, more on that later) and in mysterious flashback cutscenes detailing the Primal Bahamut Dalahmud Moon that brought about the end of 1.0 are Ascions, aka: Paragons.
Their ability to summon creatures and possess people comes into play throughout A Realm Reborn and later expansions, and if you stick with it through all this story (there’s so much and constantly more coming into 2027 and beyond with Evercold), you’ll discover the conflict between the Ascions and the Scions of the Seventh Dawn, with so many implications and events following these that I DARE not spoil. Yda and Papalymo are the first two story-significant characters you’ll meet, as a heads-up.
Lots of Gameplay but Maybe Too Much
- Limsa Lominsa (Maritime/Island nation): Starts Marauder (MRD) or Arcanist (ACN).
- New Gridania (Forest nation): Starts Archer (ARC), Lancer (LNC), or Conjurer (CNJ).
- Ul’dah (Desert/Wealth nation): Starts Gladiator (GLA), Pugilist (PGL), or Thaumaturge (THM).
One of the downsides of Final Fantasy XIV: Complete Edition on Switch 2 is the need to pay a separate subscription fee entirely separate from the NOT-REQUIRED Switch Online. Yeah, in addition to needing any version of the game to play, nearly 150 GBs on space on your internal storage or MicroSD Express card, you also need a SEPARATE subscription to play the game past the free month grace period on Switch 2!! Yes, it’s annoying. Does it take away from the fun I am having right now? Hmm… a little. Thankfully, paying that fee is a bit easier than I thought. Just use the Nintendo eShop.
Combat Is Similar to Xenoblade Chronicles
The game shines with its Xenoblade Chronicles-esque approach to combat. Each attack is on a cooldown after use. The more beneficial an attack or buff is, the longer it takes to recharge. Which attack you follow up with in combat after the previous one can offer benefits like increased damage to an enemy, for example, with the Lancer\Dragoon’s True Thrust following the use of a vorpal blade.
On the performance side of the gameplay, when dealing with less than 8 NPCs in one area at a time, like in a city or overworld, the FPS is generally 60, for BOTH docked and handheld (I don’t care about FPS as long as it’s stable and PLAYABLE). In the city or certain intense areas, the FPS is at a steady 30.
The music as always is excellent. the theme that capped off 1.0, known as “Answers”, is the most beautiful and best song in the entire franchise. Playing mainly in the raid dungeon known as The Unending Coil of Bahamut (Ultimate)’s final battle against Primal Bahamut, this song is masterclass in orchestral majestic bliss, and so on and so forth. I have listened to it about 50 times so far, with each time better than the last. It also plays at one other important point in the expansions that I, again, DARE not spoil, by the way.
And there’s so much more I even haven’t gotten into. Side quests, Raid Battles, FATE Battles, Team compositions for Raid dungeons, Parties, etc. AND, lastly, did I mention I’m STILL on the first expansion (A Realm Reborn)?! I’m just now checking out the other two towns and their overworlds as part of the larger quest. AND I still have SIX more expansions after this to get through! There’s certainly a LOT of content here, which I can appreciate, but there might be TOO MUCH for me to do in such a short time.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a Xenoblade-type MMORPG with memorable characters and plenty of engaging story beats to keep you interested, this game will scratch that itch, and then some.
My one complaint is the number of expansions and the amount of story/side content is a bit too overbearing and hand-holdy at times. Other than that, I enjoyed my time with FFXIV and the realm of Eorzea, and I can’t wait to come back for another adventure with the Evercold expansion in 2027.
If you liked this review, be sure to check out my review on Legacy of Kain: Ascendance. Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you next time.
Developers: Square Enix
Publisher: Square Enix
Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2
Release Date: 4th August 2026
