Around eight years ago, Square Enix launched Final Fantasy XIV's A Realm Reborn reboot, a new beginning to put an end to the MMORPG's underwhelming start to life. The expansion itself was set in motion by the end of the game's first iteration when a primal dragon called Bahamut initiated an apocalyptic event that destroyed much of Eorzea. The whole thing kicked off a story that would last for the better part of a decade. In FFXIV's upcoming Endwalker expansion, though, it all starts to come to an end.
Game director Naoki Yoshida makes as much clear in Endwalker's reveal. When we were given a chance to speak to him, though, we can't help but ask what his motivations were. For Yoshida, finishing the tale right now means ending it with a bang rather than letting it fizzle out later.
"As I've explained before, we produce FFXIV's main scenario in a similar manner to a TV drama series," he says. "We were fortunate to receive a great deal of praise for the previous expansion Shadowbringers, having uncovered around 80% of the mysteries as well as linking elements within the story and tying up loose ends. Of course, I believe we could use a strategy of stretching out the story without providing a conclusion in Endwalker.
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