4.5/5 ★ – SongOfStorms's review of Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers.

"The light of your legacy was our torch in the darkness. Burn bright again…..and live.” We’re finally here. In 207 hours, I’ve finally gotten to and beaten the part of the game people say is the peak. It’s easy to see why. Everything about FF14 is shining in this expansion. The First is the most interesting place in the game, with inspired and varied locales that truly feel out of this world. Music smashed it out of the park, setting the scene well with more electronics used than before. The plot is engaging, weaving old and new characters into a strong, self-contained story that had wider implications for what’s the come. I especially liked the way the world and its cultures/philosophies were explored, offering a unique perspective on light vs dark that is supplementary rather than counter. People looking for constant action gameplay will not enjoy this game. I’m able to zone out in this space, running around and reading. The amount of time they have allows for a richer lore than most games, and it allows them to trust in your abilities in combat. Dungeons and bosses are extremely fun and climactic when they arrive. Summoner finally got a little bit of life breathed into it, and I like how neatly my rotation fits. I could’ve used a few more dungeons, as it felt like Stormblood had more. But I’ve got little to complain about that wouldn’t apply to the rest of the game. Let’s hope I can get through the patches and Endwalker before Dawntrail comes out.