If you’re considering quitting Final Fantasy 14, there are several games that you can play, which offer somewhat similar gameplay or social experiences to those provided by Square Enix’s critically acclaimed MMORPG. While the game is generally praised, the release of the Dawntrail expansion has made it hit an all-time low. Even the game director Yoshi-P admitted FFXIV is in decline.
The game’s player count is lower than ever, and the development team has been studying ways to improve the manner in which content is added. Some trial results may have provided a clear answer for future content updates, but if you want to quit Final Fantasy 14, even if temporarily, you should turn your attention to some other games.
10
World of Warcraft Is An Obvious Alternative For FFXIV
The MMO Also Has A Monthly Subscription
One of the most obvious alternatives to FFXIV is World of Warcraft. The MMO released in 2004 has a load of content and a fairly similar social system. Furthermore, while there are great differences in gameplay, there are also a lot of similarities.
If your goal is to spend hundreds of hours playing through well-written stories and having a lot of gameplay possibilities, WoW is the way to go. While the game doesn’t offer the same type of interchangeable class system as FFXIV, you can create several different characters.
Much like FFXIV, however, World of Warcraft has a monthly subscription cost, and you’ll have to purchase DLC packs to gain access to specific stories. If your issue with FFXIV is the content, not the gameplay or investment, you may feel right at home with WoW.
The Game Offers Tamriel-Related Lore Dumps
If you want to distance yourself a bit from the traditional MMORPG experience provided by FFXIV but still enjoy some of its main elements, it’s a great time to play ESO. The Elder Scrolls Online is an MMO set in the world of Tamriel, and there is much to do and learn there.
If you’re a big fan of Skyrim and Oblivion Remastered, ESO can provide you with more lore dumps about the Daedric Princes and the world’s many regions, for example. The gameplay in ESO is also great. While each character is restricted to a chosen class, you can build your characters in many ways.
ESO has just received multiclassing, which allows you to use skills from other classes, significantly amplifying the gameplay possibilities. Its stories may not be as strong and tied as FFXIV, but they are well-written and involving, so you should give it a try.
8
DC Universe Online Allows You To Create Your Own Superhero Or Supervillain
The MMO Is F2P
If you’re a fan of MMOs like FFXIV and enjoy classic characters from DC Comics, you shouldn’t sleep on DC Universe Online. This F2P MMORPG allows you to create your own custom superhero or supervillain, and each faction offers a different take on the campaign.
The game has been around since 2011. However, it was ported to modern consoles last year. DC Universe Online doesn’t provide too much narrative depth or the emotional stimulus that FFXIV offers, but its gameplay experience justifies the time investment.
There’s a total of 48 story episodes to go through, aside from seasonal content and other endgame activities you can partake in. Overall, DC Universe Online is the promise of a good time, as underrated as it may be among other MMOs.
7
Genshin Impact Has A Lot Of Content
HoYoverse’s Game Constantly Gets Updates
If you want to move away from the multiplayer MMO experience of FFXIV but still want a large variety of gameplay possibilities, Genshin Impact is a great alternative. The F2P action RPG developed by HoYoverse has hundreds of different characters to control.
With them, you’ll be able to build various team comps and pick different parties based on the activities you’ll face. This should somewhat supplement any urges you may have because of FFXIV’s great interchangeable job system.
The game is also constantly getting updates on top of the hundreds of hours you already have to play through. The Version 6.0 update in September will kick off a new era in Genshin Impact, as you’ll gain access to a new region, new characters, and a brand-new type of gameplay mechanic.
6
Warframe Offers A Lot Of Gameplay Variety
The Action RPG Is A Great F2P Option
If you still want to move away from the classic MMO experience but don’t want to face the gacha system in Genshin Impact, Warframe is a great option. The F2P action RPG by Digital Extremes allows you to craft different types of Warframes, which are essentially classes.
Each Warframe has a different type of skill set, and you can mix that up with various weapons, significantly expanding your gameplay options. There’s also a lot of content to play through, which can keep you hooked for hundreds of hours.
While the game does take on a more shooter-based approach, there is plenty of swordplay and melee combat. This is one of my favorite F2P games around, and it’s been a pleasant title to come back to Warframe every so often when I get tired of other live-service games.
5
Black Desert Online Is Stunning
The MMO Has Its Flaws, But It’s A Lot Of Fun
Black Desert Online is one of the most stunning MMOs in the market, and you’ll certainly be mesmerized by the animations and quality of the graphics. The game doesn’t have much narrative depth like FFXIV, and you’ll likely reach a point where you’re skimming through the campaign.
Even so, there are fun and exciting classes to pick from. Additionally, BDO has a rich customization tool, which allows you to craft incredible characters to control in combat later on.
Like a lot of MMOs, Black Desert Online has some issues when it comes to its market. Even so, if you play the game for fun and don’t focus too much on min-maxing, you’ll certainly have a lot of fun.
4
Star Wars: The Old Republic Lets You Be A Hero Of The Republic Or A Sith
The Game Is F2P
If you want to throw yourself into an MMO experience set in the Star Wars universe, then Star Wars: The Old Republic is the perfect game. The MMORPG allows you to play as a hero of the Republic or a Sith, and within these factions, choose from different classes.
Surprisingly, there are a lot of gameplay options in this MMO, and it’s not just about swinging your Lightsaber or using the Force. Of course, its excellence is a reflection of BioWare’s investment in development.
Star Wars: The Old Republic can be played for free nowadays, but there is an optional subscription service that grants you bonuses. This includes bonuses to the expansions, a higher level cap, and much more.
3
The Lord Of The Rings Online Is F2P
LOTRO Will Take You To Middle-Earth
There is also an alternative for fans of The Lord of the Rings. Popularly known as LOTRO, The Lord of the Rings Online is a F2P MMORPG set in Middle-Earth and brings new takes to the universe created by J. R. R. Tolkien.
LOTRO allows you to pick from different races and classes inspired by the high fantasy story’s universe and heavily customize your gameplay possibilities. In addition to that, you can also play through several untold story arcs that are set in Middle-Earth, often with some familiar faces and places.
Like FFXIV, The Lord of the Rings Online is a massive game with a lot of story content to go through that may take you hundreds of hours to conclude – and even then, you can still continue playing other pieces of content like group instances.
2
Monster Hunter Rise Offers A Different Experience
There’s A Lot Of Gameplay Variety
Another way of avoiding heavy MMO elements is to dive into Monster Hunter Rise. This action RPG will have you hunting monsters and continuously grinding for better gear. The story isn’t one that will stick with you.
With 14 different weapon classes, which are interchangeable at any given time by equipping another one, you have a lot of gameplay variety. If you combine this with each weapon type’s different Silkbind skills and the movesets of the monsters you’re hunting, you may never feel tired of Rise.
With its DLC, Sunbreak, Monster Hunter Rise can take hundreds of hours to beat, and even after you do, you may still want to continue for the fun. You can play this alone or with friends, and even though its experience is far different from FFXIV, it may be the fresh air you’re needing.
1
Xenoblade Chronicles Is A Great Single-Player Alternative To FFXIV
A Lot Of Its Gameplay Elements Are Shared With The MMO
Perhaps one of the absolute best alternatives to FFXIV is Xenoblade Chronicles and its sequels. In terms of gameplay and combat, the titles developed by Monolith Soft offer a very similar experience to that provided by Square Enix’s MMORPG.
Much like FFXIV, positioning is of the utmost importance in Xenoblade Chronicles. Additionally, like the MMO, its story is dense and well-developed. You’ll be in for a narrative treat if you decide to play these games.
Furthermore, if you want an experience that is more aligned with FFXIV, you can spend hundreds of hours with Xenoblade Chronicles X, which has more MMO elements. While Square Enix’s MMORPG has certainly made an impact, it may be time to quit or at least take a breather, and these are all great alternatives to Final Fantasy 14.
Final Fantasy 14
- Released
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August 27, 2013
- ESRB
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T for Teen – Language, Mild Blood, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
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Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
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Square Enix
- Engine
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Originally the Crystal Tools engine, but currently it’s a custom engine using parts of the Luminous Engine.
- Multiplayer
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Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer
- Steam Deck Compatibility
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Playable
- PC Release Date
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August 27, 2013
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
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March 21, 2024
