Those were the days of promises and vows — of tentative first steps into an uncertain future. A future shaped by the choices we made, in ways we could never have foreseen. Born of good and evil, of light and darkness, and shepherded by our hand. Be it for weal, or be it for woe.
Beaten: August 2019, three times since
A lot of people hold Heavensward in very high regard. Originally I felt the same — it's a much more character-driven story than ARR, and the writing is simply better in many aspects. There are incredible, bombastic moments without parallel. This is where the game really comes into its own, in many respects.
And yet... I don't love Heavensward as I once did. Part of it, unfortunately, is that I've spent too much time with it. While the story has some amazing highs, it also has some of the worst pacing I've ever seen, to the point that the story takes several abrupt swerves that drag it down in my estimation.
Even so, I'd still consider Heavensward a fantastic Final Fantasy game. The end of the Dragonsong War is a moment I'll never forget experiencing.
Favorite character
Estinien continues to be one of my favorites, and really, Heavensward is a big reason why. Building on the dragoon questline from ARR, his connection to Nidhogg is a major part of the story, and I never thought it would end up the way it did. He remains a standout.
Ysayle is my other favorite, although the narrative did not treat her even half as kindly. No matter how many years pass, I'll always wish that plotline had gone differently.
Really, though, Heavensward has great character work in general. Alphinaud comes into his own, Aymeric holds down the fort, and Lucia gets her own small arc. And as it's technically part of the Heavensward patches: Ilberd is one of my absolute favorites in the game, who fills his role to perfection.
Favorite music
I genuinely don't think I'll ever get sick of the Ishgard day and night themes, which is why I live in Empyreum.
Every FFXIV OST is incredible, so I'll just name some of the highlights:
- Dragonsong
- Painted Foothills
- Solid
- Night in the Brume
- Ink Long Dry
- Upon the Rocks
- Order Yet Undeciphered
- Fiend
- Literally every single track in the Alexander raids (Rise, Metal, Locus, Exponential Entropy, etc)
Heavensward also has my least favorite track in the game: the Idyllshire day theme. I can't stand the bagpipes!
Favorite location
Ishgard is the easy answer for this. There's something so wonderfully atmospheric about Ishgard, from the ever-present snow to the striking Gothic architecture. Seriously, this is why my Free Company's house is in Empyreum: I've always considered Ishgard one of my favorite zones period.
Gameplay thoughts
The Vault is my favorite dungeon in the game. Part of it is the story, of course, but it's one of the best examples of atmosphere in the game. The Vault feels oppressive from the moment you step inside, no matter how wide open its hallowed halls. And the higher you climb, the more the mysteries deepen...
As far as jobs go, I don't have strong feelings about them in this level block. I played dragoon my first time through Heavensward, a job I almost never play now. It added to the experience, though!
Heavensward's optional raids and trials are very fun, although not as mechanically complex or interesting as those in the later expansions. Nor am I attached to their storylines, as much as I wish I cared about the Mhach stuff.
I did actually experience the old Diadem once, before it was shuttered in 5.1. (I talk more about the Ishgardian Restoration on the Shadowbringers page.) I've spent much more time with Palace of the Dead, and in fact my first attempts at going through it were in the first few months I played the game. I didn't end up reaching the last floor until 2023, but I've always really enjoyed Palace of the Dead. (That said, I have no desire to solo it...)