The benchmark for Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail is available now for players to download.
Some graphics-intensive PC games these days will release a Benchmark program before the game’s launch, that way consumers can make an informed decision on whether their existing computer can handle it. Final Fantasy XIV regularly releases benchmarks before expansion packs, not just to help consumers, but also to show off new content and features. Oftentimes the benchmark gives us a closer look at new locations, job actions, and enemies.
The Dawntrail benchmark is special though. In an upcoming patch, Final Fantasy XIV is getting a graphics update which will be especially noticeable on player characters. The original FFXIV released in 2010 and was overhauled in the 2013 A Realm Reborn patch. But even then, that means the character graphics are about 11 years old and are finally getting a much needed update.
Square Enix has shown us some new faces that we can create in the upcoming graphics overhaul, but since you can create a character appearance for the benchmark we finally get to play with them for ourselves. Players are also finally able to see the customization options for the long-awaited female Hrothgar, a race which was previously male only (we received men for the female-only Viera a while back).
You can check out the benchmark for yourself here, or if you don’t plan to play it on PC (or just have a potato PC), you can check it out on YouTube below.
Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail is expected to release June 28 for early access, and on July 2 for all players. The expansion adds two new classes to the game, Viper and Pictomancer.
Final Fantasy XIV is available now for the Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox, and Microsoft Windows (through Steam). You can check out our review of the latest expansion Endwalker here.
