The legendary Final Fantasy XIV free trial copypasta is growing once again. For years, the MMO community has celebrated Square Enix's incredibly generous approach to player access. What started as a level 60 cap including Heavensward expanded in 2023 to include Stormblood, but with the arrival of Patch 7.5, the scope has reached new heights.

The Final Fantasy XIV free trial now officially includes what many consider the absolute peak of the game: Shadowbringers.

Why Shadowbringers Changes Everything

While the expansion was initially teased during the North American Fan Festival keynote, its official integration into the free tier is a massive win for newcomers. Widely regarded as the best expansion in the franchise, Shadowbringers delivers a lethal combination of masterful storytelling and exceptional encounter design.

Beyond the narrative, this update significantly expands the variety of playable characters available to players without a subscription. Because certain races require Shadowbringers to unlock, the trial now grants full access to:

  • Viera (the "bunny" race)
  • Hrothgar (introduced in Endwalker)
  • Newer content unlocks tied to expansion progression

Additionally, free trial players can now experience the fan-favorite NieR-themed alliance raids, allowing players to dive into the world of 2B and YorHa without spending a dime.

Understanding the Free Trial Limitations

While including Shadowbringers makes this arguably the most robust free trial in the MMO genre, there are still some mechanical hurdles to keep in mind. If you are looking for high-end endgame content, certain "Ultimate" raids—such as The Unending Coil of Bahamut, Weapon's Refrain, and The Epic of Alexander—remain locked behind a full subscription.

Aside from hardcore raiding, players should be aware of these standard restrictions:

  • A 300,000 gil currency cap
  • No access to /shout, /yell, or /tell chat functions
  • No access to the Market Board or Retainers
  • Inability to join a Free Company (the game's guild equivalent)
  • Limited access to Party Finder and PvP modes

Is the Final Fantasy XIV Free Trial Worth It?

Despite these limitations, the sheer volume of content available is staggering. With Shadowbringers now included, players can easily squeeze over 500 hours of gameplay out of the trial alone.

Being able to experience the absolute zenith of Final Fantasy XIV storytelling without an initial financial commitment is a rarity in the industry. Even with the grind ahead, the value provided by this update is nothing short of wild.