‘Final Fantasy XIV’ Patch 2.5 Out Today, Golden Saucer Coming February

The hit MMO Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn has been updated today with part one of its “Before the Fall” content update. This is in preparation for the upcoming Heavensward expansion, the first true expansion for the online RPG.

Some of the highlights of the expansion include:

• Additional high-level dungeons
  • The Keeper of the Lake
  • The Wanderer’s Palace (Hard)
  • Amdapor Keep
• “The World of Darkness” Raid
• Odin challenge (8-players)
• New Rules for the massive 72-player PVP Frontline battle content

Final Fantasy XIV also sees the return of Gilgamesh, with the Latest Adventures of Hildibrand, agent of enquiry, inspector extraordinaire. Within this quest chain, FFXIV players will find themselves helping the long-standing Final Fantasy summon in his quest for more swords. As detailed above, Final Fantasy XIV players will be able to take part in a new Odin trial. This trial, named “Urth’s Fount,” will pit eight players against the elder primal as they seek to solve the mystery of the “Dark Rider of the Shroud.” The trial will likely require some higher level gear, and it’s expected to reward successful groups with some great loot.

The Inquisitr previously covered the upcoming Heavensward expansion, which is the first major expansion for the long-standing RPG series. Heavensward will see the addition to a few new mounts as well as the addition of the Dark Knight class to Final Fantasy XIV. This patch will serve as a primer to the upcoming expansion, finishing the main story quest leading into Heavensward.

Part 2 of the “Before the Fall” patch will bring with it a landmark from what it is arguably one of the most iconic Final Fantasy games to date. The Golden Saucer, featured in fan-favorite Final Fantasy VII, will make its debut in mid-February. This giant amusement park is where many stellar scenes within FFVII take place, such as the moonlight ferris wheel ride with either Tifa or Aerith, as well as the location where Cait Sith joins your party. Within the Golden Saucer is the Chocobo Ring, and making a triumphant return to the series is Final Fantasy VIII’s beloved card-game, “Triple Triad.”

While we know that Patch 2.51 will release next month, we aren’t completely sure on the time table. Until then, the content in patch 2.5 should keep players busy for a few months, according to Joystiq‘s“The Mog Log” 2.5 Primer. Will you be playing Final Fantasy XIV today? Let us know what you think of the new expansion content in the comments below!

[Images via Square Enix]