Patch 3.1 for Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn launches tomorrow, marking the first large batch of additional content since Heavensward released in June (discounting the Alexander raid and Seal Rock PvP encounter, which were held back until July).
Poetically named As Goes Light, So Goes Darkness, the patch will feature a continuation of the main scenario campaign in Ishgard, new group content, and a number of updates and new features outlined below:
· The Void Ark, a new Alliance raid dungeon which takes place on a derelict sky ship (keep an eye out for upcoming video content on PSU)
· Two new dungeons, each featuring new enemies and gear sets:
-Saint Mocianne’s Arboretum, a garden stronghold overrun with rampant beasts and plant life
-Hard mode of Pharos Sirius, in which players must stop a new Kobold threat
· The chance to revisit your Heavensward boss battle against Archbishop Thordan VII
· The Diadem, a new area set in the Sea of Clouds, abundant in resources, items and creatures
· Two primal fights, Limitless Blue (Extreme) and Thok ast Thok (Extreme), added to Duty Finder
· New Beast Tribe Quests and story involving the Vanu Vanu tribes, the Sea of Clouds, and the primal Bismarck
· New hairstyles for character creation and the aesthetician
· Several mounts, including the recruit-a-friend draught chocobo, upgraded to flight capability in Heavensward areas
· The Gold Saucer’s new pet battle strategy game, Lord of Verminion, as well as two new mini-games and the addition of Saucer activities to the Challenge Log
I’m particularly excited to see how the new pet feature turns out. I was a bit worried at first that it might be a shameless rip-off of World of Warcraft’s “battle pet” system, but Square Enix appears to have developed a unique strategy game to feature the little critters.
I wrote an article last month about some of Reborn’s great features, and I am hopeful that Lord of Verminion will fit in quite nicely. The Triple Triad game is also seeing some attention, with new cards and opponents. The Golden Saucer itself is acquiring new shops and items for players to players to spend their hard-earned MGP.
No significant additions or changes for crafting or PvP have been announced. For more info, check the patch notes or watch the video trailer.
Square Enix also has a Final Fantasy XI collaboration event slated to start on Wednesday, coinciding with the conclusion of the Rhapsodies of Vana’diel campaign in the previous Final Fantasy title. Iroha, the heroine of the Vana’diel storyline, will appear in Reborn. Players who assist her in the event questline A Journey to Remember will earn some epic new samurai-style armor. Check out the developer’s blog for details.
If you blasted through the Heavensward content and put the game down, get ready to pick it back up. Don your robes or armor, dust off your weapon of choice and mount your favorite beastie. Its time to return to Eorzea!