A Realm Reborn
From the ashes of a fallen world, hope rises to forge a new destiny.
A Realm Reborn is the relaunched version of Final Fantasy XIV, released worldwide for PlayStation 3 and Windows in August 2013. Directed and produced by Naoki Yoshida, it replaced the failed 2010 version after the original game shut down in November 2012. Set in the fantasy region of Eorzea, the story begins five years after the devastating Seventh Umbral Calamity, in which the elder primal Bahamut escaped from an ancient space station called Dalamud and unleashed an apocalypse. Through temporal magic, the player character of the original version escaped and reappears at the start of A Realm Reborn. As Eorzea cements its recovery, the player must fend off a reignited invasion from the Garlean Empire.
Quick Facts
- Key figure
- The Scion of the Seventh Dawn
- Major threat
- Nidhogg and the Dragonsong Reborn
Reader's Guide
The narrative arc begins with the player character's reappearance in Eorzea five years after the Seventh Umbral Calamity. The primary motivation is to help Eorzea recover and fend off the reignited invasion from the Garlean Empire. Key plot points involve working with the Scions of the Seventh Dawn to uncover the truth behind the Calamity and the machinations of the Garleans. The story progresses through the main scenario questline, which advances the overarching plot. This arc connects to the broader universe by establishing the ongoing conflict with the Garlean Empire and setting the stage for future expansions, including Heavensward (2015), Stormblood (2017), Shadowbringers (2019), Endwalker (2021), Dawntrail (2024), and Evercold (2027).
Did You Know?
- The original Final Fantasy XIV was a commercial and critical failure, leading Square Enix President Yoichi Wada to announce a new team led by Naoki Yoshida to address the game's flaws.
- The relaunched game, codenamed 'Version 2.0', used a new engine, improved server infrastructure, and revamped gameplay, interface, and story.
- By October 2021, Final Fantasy XIV had gained over 24 million registered players and became the most profitable Final Fantasy game to date.
- An adaptation for mobile devices was announced in 2024 but was cancelled in July 2026.
More in Story & Timeline
Elsewhere in Final Fantasy XIV
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