Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail takes cues from Mesoamerican culture and Dragonball
Starting a new story arc from scratch in a video game that’s been running for over a decade is a tall order — and it’s one that Final Fantasy XIV’s Dawntrail expansion sets out to accomplish.
Setting sail westward and looking to the continent of Tural, the Warrior of Light and their companions seek to help Wuk Lamat, a female Hrothgar, in a contest for the right to rule the land of Tural. Dawntrail, which is set to launch on July 2 (and June 28 for those who preorder) sets the stage for political intrigue, exploration of a civilization unknown to us, and much more.
After playing Dawntrail’s new content for a few hours at a recent preview event, I have a clearer picture of how the FFXIV team plans to lay the groundwork for the future of the MMORPG. It’s creating something new while weaving in the characters, creatures, and themes we’ve come to know and love over the last 10 years. And it’s getting a little help from Dragonball to do it.
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(The version of the Dawntrail expansion I played is still a work in progress, and some aspects may be subject to change before it’s official release later this month.)
Power levels
Final Fantasy XIV’s previous expansion, Endwalker, wrapped up a 10-year saga. Now the team behind the long-running franchise is tasked with setting out on a new adventure, one removed from many of the aspects of the Hydaelyn and Zodiark story arc. In an interview alongside my demo of the new expansion, I asked director and producer Naoki Yoshida what challenges the team faced when having to conceptualize the next expansion from the ground up. It was at this moment that Yoshida and his translator both looked me in the eyes.
“Are you familiar with Dragon Ball?” Yoshida said.
The team’s main concern in creating Dawntrail was about power levels,
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