Make way for the latest MMORPG to arrive in the scene, Final Fantasy XIV:Dawntrail. This expansion has arrived to usher in a new era for the beloved franchise. Dawntrail will have to fill bigger shoes after following the epic conclusion of Endwalker. While opinions are mixed on whether it surpasses its predecessor, Dawntrail stands tall as an exceptional expansion that pushes FFXIV to new heights in many ways. But, is Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail truly the best expansion ever?
A Fresh Start in a New Land
Dawntrail takes players on a journey to the western continent of Tural, framed as a “vacation” for the Warrior of Light after saving multiple worlds. This new setting allows the story to reset and build up a cast of new characters, centered around Wuk Lamat – the adopted daughter of Tural’s current ruler, who is competing to become the next Dawnservant.
The narrative takes a different approach compared to previous expansions, positioning Wuk Lamat as the protagonist with the player character in more of a supporting role. While the pacing in the first half is slower as it establishes the new setting and characters, the story picks up significantly in the latter portions. It interweaves with past plot threads in surprising ways while tackling themes of understanding and coexistence.
Gameplay Reaches New Heights 
Where Dawntrail truly shines is in its gameplay improvements and content. The dungeons and trials offer exciting new challenges with fresh mechanics that keep players on their toes. Quality of life updates like dungeon shortcuts are much appreciated. The two new jobs, Viper and Pictomancer, are fun additions to the lineup.
Visually, Dawntrail takes full advantage of FFXIV’s graphics update. It’s a feast for the eyes as stunning new zones, from lush jungles to arid deserts, add variety to the gameplay.
The expansion’s content goes beyond just the main scenario quests. Side activities, crafting, and collecting all received meaningful updates that will keep players engaged for a long time to come. The sheer variety of things to do makes Dawntrail feel like the most robust expansion yet.
Music and Voice Acting Impress
As expected from FFXIV, the soundtrack does not disappoint. From catchy battle themes to atmospheric area music, the compositions perfectly capture the essence of each new location and story beat. Some surprising genre choices later in the expansion showcase the audio team’s range.
The voice acting is generally strong throughout, with Sena Bryer’s performance as Wuk Lamat being a particular standout. Her charming portrayal brings the naive but determined character to life.
Room for Improvement
While Dawntrail excels in many areas, it’s not without flaws. The pacing of the main story can feel uneven at times, especially in the early portions. Some players may find Wuk Lamat’s character development repetitive. The final act of the story, while exciting, feels somewhat disconnected from earlier events.
There are also lingering technical issues that fans have been hoping to see addressed. The lack of hat options for Viera and Hrothgar races remains a sore point. Female Hrothgars, in particular, have very limited customization options at launch.
The Verdict
Maybe the bars are set too high for this anticipated expansion to reach. However, Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail continues to reinvigorate the MMO in many ways, despite its shortcomings. What makes it a joy to play is its gameplay improvements, stunning new areas, and impressive amount of content. Although the story may feel lacking in comparison to the epic heights of Endwalker, it still sets up an intriguing foundation for new adventures. With these amounts of engaging content to explore, it pushes the boundaries of what players can expect from an FFXIV expansion.
Whether it is truly the best expansion ever is something that is ultimately subjective and up for debate among the community. With its strong point of delivering a massive number of high-quality contents, it will surely keep you entertained for years to come. You’ll probably see yourself playing this game if you like indulging yourself in long hours of gaming. However, the game poses no limitation, as even if you are just a casual gamer, Dawntrail is still absolutely worth experiencing.