Final Fantasy XIV Servers Struggle as Dawntrail Preorders Open

Ahead of the release of the Dawntrail expansion for Final Fantasy XIV, Square Enix has released a handy-dandy free benchmark tool for players to test whether their setup can handle 7.0’s improved visuals. The new update will improve textures, hair, grass, shadows, and reflections, and will be the title’s first graphical upgrade since it was released in 2013.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the second part of the remake trilogy of the original game from 1997, was released in February. While developer Square Enix has not confirmed a launch date or the official title for the final game in the remake trilogy, the game should likely be released on PS5 sometime during the ongoing console generation cycle. Now, the studio has provided an update about the launch timeline for the third and final game in the Final Fantasy remake trilogy project.

Following the launch of the Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail benchmark, some players discovered an Easter egg that changes the default benchmark character to Hildibrand or Brandihild, depending on which PC time settings were changed. Final Fantasy 14 players shared the Easter egg on social media and discussed the methods that caused either character to appear.

Earlier today, Square Enix released the Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail benchmark. This is par for the course, as the Japanese company has always released benchmarks whenever a new expansion for the popular MMORPG was about to launch.

The upcoming Final Fantasy XIV Dawntrail expansion will receive an official benchmark tool later today, Square Enix has confirmed.

Despite releasing to universal acclaim from both fans and critics, it appears that Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth may have failed to perform well sales-wise, according to a notable industry analyst. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth potentially underperforming may bring into question the popularity of the franchise as a whole.

Though Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail is still weeks away, Square Enix revealed a calendar of events for players to take part in until the launch of the upcoming expansion. Among the events coming to Final Fantasy 14 throughout May and June, the return of the Yo-Kai Watch and Dragon Quest 10 collaboration events were confirmed, along with the dates for the next two Letter from the Producer Live broadcasts.

The highly anticipated game Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, the second installment in the ambitious Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy, received widespread critical acclaim when it launched in late February.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth director and long-time series producer Yoshinori Kitase hopes that the world of the seventh entry in the series will continue after the remake project will be completed with the third entry.

It is no exaggeration to say that Final Fantasy Tactics is one of the most successful spin-offs in the long history of Square Enix's IP.

A potential remaster of Final Fantasy Tactics has been in the rumour mill for several years at this point, and even though official word on whether or not it exists remains elusive, Final Fantasy 16 producer Naoki Yoshida – who’s also the director and producer of Final Fantasy 14 – has indicated that he, at the very least, is personally interested in seeing Final Fantasy Tactics be brought back.

The long-awaited Final Fantasy XVI crossover is coming to Final Fantasy XIV on April 2 and running through May 8. Fans have been waiting for what seems like eons for the collab, which was initially teased in a trailer back in October 2023.