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How Big is FFXIV With All Expansions? A Comprehensive Look

Final Fantasy XIV (FFXIV) has become a monumental MMORPG, continually expanding its world, story, and gameplay systems since its initial (and subsequently rebooted) launch. Estimating the exact size of FFXIV with all expansions is complex, as “size” can refer to multiple aspects: download size, playtime, content volume, or player base. Let’s break it down.

FFXIV with all expansions is enormous. Considering all content, you can expect hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of gameplay to experience the main story, side quests, dungeons, raids, trials, crafting, gathering, and various other activities. The download size is consistently around 80-100GB depending on your platform and graphical settings. The game boasts a massive world to explore spread across multiple continents and even other planets, each filled with unique environments and lore. FFXIV also has an extremely active and thriving player base.

Understanding the Scope of FFXIV

To truly grasp the scale of FFXIV, it’s crucial to consider the different dimensions that contribute to its overall “size”:

Story Content: This is arguably the biggest factor. The main story quest (MSQ) from A Realm Reborn to Endwalker is incredibly lengthy and rich in lore. Each expansion adds dozens, if not hundreds, of hours of narrative content.
Gameplay Content: Beyond the MSQ, there’s a wealth of side quests, dungeons, raids, trials, alliance raids, crafting and gathering professions, Gold Saucer minigames, and numerous other activities that can keep players engaged for years.
World Size: The game world has expanded significantly with each expansion, introducing new zones, cities, and environments to explore.
Player Base: FFXIV boasts one of the largest and most active MMORPG player bases in the world, contributing to a vibrant and dynamic online community.

The Expansions and Their Contributions

Each expansion adds a significant chunk to FFXIV’s overall size. Here’s a brief overview:

A Realm Reborn (2.0): The base game that relaunched FFXIV. Laid the foundation for the story and gameplay systems.
Heavensward (3.0): Introduced the city-state of Ishgard, flying mounts, and new jobs like Dark Knight, Machinist, and Astrologian. Added a substantial new storyline.
Stormblood (4.0): Expanded the world to Ala Mhigo and Doma, adding new jobs like Samurai and Red Mage. Continued the main story and introduced underwater exploration.
Shadowbringers (5.0): Took players to the First, a reflection of the Source. Introduced the jobs Gunbreaker and Dancer, and is widely considered one of the best MMORPG expansions ever made.
Endwalker (6.0): Concluded the Hydaelyn and Zodiark arc, sending players to the moon and other new locations. Added the jobs Sage and Reaper.
Dawntrail (7.0): Set to release in Summer 2024, it will take the Warrior of Light and company to the New World, Tural, with new jobs and new adventures to be experienced.

How Long Does It Take to “Finish” FFXIV?

There is no true “finishing” FFXIV. Completing the main story up to the latest expansion can easily take 200-400 hours, depending on how quickly you progress. However, fully experiencing all content (including side quests, crafting, raids, etc.) would take considerably longer, potentially thousands of hours. Many players consider the “endgame” to be the actual start of their FFXIV journey.

Factors Affecting Download Size

Several factors can influence the exact download size of FFXIV:

Platform: PC, PlayStation, and Mac versions may have slight differences.
Graphics Settings: Higher resolution textures and graphical options require more storage space.
Voice Packs: Choosing to download different language voice packs will increase the download size.
Patches and Updates: Ongoing patches and updates will incrementally increase the game’s size over time.

Is FFXIV Worth the Investment?

Despite its significant size and the time commitment involved, FFXIV is widely considered to be worth the investment for players who enjoy MMORPGs with rich stories, engaging gameplay, and a thriving community. The game consistently receives high praise for its quality and content.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the scope and content of FFXIV:

1. How much does FFXIV cost?

FFXIV requires an initial purchase of the Starter Edition (includes A Realm Reborn and Heavensward) or the Complete Edition (includes all expansions). Additionally, a monthly subscription fee is required to play.

2. Is there a free trial for FFXIV?

Yes, FFXIV offers a generous free trial that allows players to experience A Realm Reborn, Heavensward and Stormblood with level caps.

3. What are the different classes/jobs in FFXIV?

FFXIV features a wide variety of classes and jobs, including Warrior, Paladin, White Mage, Black Mage, Dragoon, Monk, Bard, Summoner, Scholar, Ninja, Dark Knight, Machinist, Astrologian, Samurai, Red Mage, Gunbreaker, Dancer, Reaper, and Sage.

4. How do I level up quickly in FFXIV?

Completing the main story quests is the fastest way to level up. Utilizing experience buffs from food, Free Company actions, and rested experience also helps.

5. What are the different races in FFXIV?

FFXIV offers several playable races: Hyur, Elezen, Lalafell, Miqo'te, Roegadyn, and Au Ra. Each race has two clans with slight variations in appearance. Viera and Hrothgar races were added in later expansions.

6. What is the endgame content in FFXIV?

Endgame content includes challenging raids, trials, crafting and gathering, relic weapon quests, and cosmetic item farming.

7. How does crafting and gathering work in FFXIV?

FFXIV has eight crafting classes (Carpenter, Blacksmith, Armorer, Goldsmith, Leatherworker, Weaver, Alchemist, Culinarian) and three gathering classes (Miner, Botanist, Fisher). Each class has its own unique gameplay and progression system.

8. What are the different types of raids in FFXIV?

FFXIV features Normal Raids (8-player), Savage Raids (8-player, more challenging), and Alliance Raids (24-player).

9. What is the Gold Saucer?

The Gold Saucer is a theme park within FFXIV that offers minigames, Chocobo racing, Triple Triad card games, and other activities.

10. How does player housing work in FFXIV?

Players can purchase houses in designated residential districts. Housing allows players to customize their living space and provides access to various amenities.

11. What are the different types of currencies in FFXIV?

FFXIV has various currencies, including Gil (the primary currency), Tomestones (used to purchase endgame gear), and Company Seals (earned by completing tasks for your Grand Company).

12. How does the Party Finder work in FFXIV?

The Party Finder allows players to create or join parties for various activities, such as dungeons, raids, and trials.

13. What is the Duty Roulette?

The Duty Roulette allows players to queue for a random dungeon or trial and receive bonus rewards.

14. Is FFXIV solo-friendly?

While FFXIV is an MMORPG, much of the main story and some side content can be completed solo. The Trust system allows players to tackle dungeons with AI-controlled party members.

15. Does FFXIV have cross-platform play?

Yes, FFXIV supports cross-platform play between PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Mac.

Conclusion

FFXIV’s sheer scale and depth make it a truly impressive MMORPG. Its continuous updates and expansions ensure that there’s always something new to discover and experience. Whether you’re a seasoned MMO veteran or a newcomer to the genre, FFXIV offers a captivating and rewarding journey that’s well worth exploring. The constantly expanding world and active community ensure that FFXIV will remain a behemoth in the MMORPG landscape for years to come.

How big is FFXIV with all expansions?