Final Fantasy XIV Free Trial Expanded To Entire Base Game Plus First Expansion

Square Enix released more details on Final Fantasy XIV’s upcoming 5.3 patch titled ‘Reflections in Crystal’ and this particular patch will also include an update on the game’s free trial as it will soon allow free trial players to play the game all the way up to Heavensward, the game’s first expansion.

The expanded free trial of the game will be available once patch 5.3 goes live on August 11, so players still on the fence will see it more enticing to give the game a shot as you can level up classes up to level 60 and play all the base game’s content plus the Heavensward expansion without buying or subscribing to the MMORPG that currently surpassed the 20 million players milestone.

The 5.3 patch also comes with a rework of the main scenario questlines found in the base game. The ‘ARR Wall’ as players describe it, is a series of taxing questlines that eventually lead up to Heavensward, and this rework is meant to streamline the new player’s experience leading up to the first expansion.

Full features of patch 5.3

Just like past major patches for Final Fantasy XIV, there are tons of new content coming for all sorts of players from those that like raiding, crafting, to those that want to know what happens next in the main story.

Here’s an outline of what to expect on August 11.

• New Main Scenario Quests – The curtains rise for the final act of the FINAL FANTASY XIV: Shadowbringers main scenario questline.

• Main Scenario Questline Update: A Realm Reborn – The A Realm Reborn main scenario questline will be reworked to give new players a more streamlined experience as they progress through the story leading to Heavensward. Additionally, players will be able to use flying mounts to take to the skies in A Realm Reborn areas upon completion of The Ultimate Weapon quest.

• Expanded Free Trial – The free trial will now allow players to enjoy unlimited playtime up through level 60 and will also include access to Heavensward content, an additional playable race (Au Ra), and an additional three playable jobs (Dark Knight, Astrologian, and Machinist).

• New YoRHa: Dark Apocalypse Alliance Raid – The white-robed android 2P awakens at last, but so too does an unforeseen danger to Komra in the next chapter of this NieR-inspired alliance raid, The Puppets’ Bunker.

• Save the Queen Questline Updates (Patch 5.35) – Players can further enhance weapons obtained in the first chapter of this quest series as they explore The Bozjan Southern Front, a new area where the Bozjan Resistance has begun Operation Eagle's Nest in a bid to regain Alermuc Fortress from the Empire.

• New “Chronicles of a New Era” Quest: The Sorrow of Werlyt – Part of the ‘Weapon Series’ questline, players can enjoy a story-focused experience culminating in a special event battle.

• New Dungeon: The Heroes’ Gauntlet – The whole of Norvrandt becomes a battlefield across which the Warriors of Darkness must fight their way. Players can tackle this new challenge alongside fellow adventurers, or a party of non-player characters, using the Trust system.

• New Trial: A fearsome new foe possessed of immeasurable might shall arise to test Warriors of Darkness in both normal and extreme difficulties.

• New Beast Tribe Quests – A new crafter-focused questline featuring the dwarves.

• New Game+ Updates – The updated A Realm Reborn main scenario and other quests will be available for players to revisit while retaining their current character and level.

• New Battle Content: Unreal Trials – Players will be able to challenge powered-up versions of existing primals that are prepared to battle against level 80 heroes. Unreal Trials will feature one primal fight which will change with each patch, beginning with Shiva in Patch 5.3. Defeating the primal each week gives players the chance to complete a new mini-game, with those who emerge triumphant receiving tokens to exchange for prizes.

• Ishgard Restoration Update (Patch 5.31) – The third phase of restoration begins following the efforts of the Skybuilders. Skybuilder Rankings return, with new items for players to craft and new achievements for top contributors to the restoration efforts.

• Crafter and Gatherer Updates – New custom deliveries, updates to Rowena's House of Splendors, and an update to the Skysteel Tools questline headline several crafter and gatherer updates. Additionally, recipe search functionality will be improved for ease of use.

• YO-KAI WATCH Collaboration Returns – The YO-KAI WATCH collaboration event, Gather One, Gather All returns to FINAL FANTASY XIV Online beginning August 19th and includes new rewards in addition.

• Job Adjustments for PvE and PvP, System Updates, and more.

A new trailer for the 5.3 patch also dropped and you can watch it here. It contains HEAVY SPOILERS and is highly recommended to only players that have finished the latest main story content available today.

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