Final Fantasy XIV Letter from the Producer Focuses on Patch 5.5

by Alex Fuller · Published April 2, 2021 · Updated April 5, 2021

Square Enix held its latest Letter from the Producer Live presentation ahead of the launch of Patch 5.5 for Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers. The presentation included the release of the official trailer, as well as some new details and footage for the patch and the upcoming PlayStation 5 version of the game.

Patch 5.5 is titled Death Unto Dawn and is the final major update ahead of the game’s next expansion, Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker. The new main scenario content will help set up the story for the new expansion and will feature the new Paglth’an dungeon. The patch will be divided into two parts, with the first set to release on April 13, 2021.

The first part will include the third and final part of the YoRHa: Dark Apocalypse Alliance Raid series. It will also feature the finale of the Sorrow of Werlyt questline, which includes a new Trial titled The Cloud Deck where players face off against Diamond Weapon, as well as the final set of upgrades for Resistance weapons through new Save the Queen side content that includes the new area of Zadnor. Leviathan will become the newest Unreal Trial designed to challenge level 80 players.

High-level crafters will get new content including new achievements and unique tools, while an Ishgard Restoration update will add events celebrating its conclusion and letting players earn gathering- and crafting-related rewards from events. The game’s Explorer Mode will also be expanded to include level 70 dungeons, letting players explore and take screenshots without enemies and new permitted performance actions to be used.

The launch of Patch 5.5 will also see the launch of the open beta for the game’s PlayStation 5 version. Players with a PlayStation 4 licence will be able to access the PlayStation 5 beta, with new players also able to access it on the Free Trial version. The PlayStation 5 version will be 4K display compatible, with players able to choose between 4K 2160p, WQHD 1440p, and Full HD 1080p resolutions. It will also include faster loading times, higher resolution UI assets, DualSense controller haptic feedback, additional trophies, and 3D audio support. The PlayStation 5 version will be available to purchase after the open beta, and those who already own the PlayStation 4 version of Final Fantasy XIV will be able to upgrade to the PlayStation 5 version for free. The PlayStation 5 version will be digital only, and those currently using the disc version for PlayStation 4 will no longer require one after upgrading.

Finally, more details about the upcoming Final Fantasy XIV Digital Fan Festival were revealed. The two-day event will begin on May 15, 2021, at 10am JST / 1am GMT or May 14, 2021, at 6pm PDT, with the first day featuring a keynote presentation containing new information on Endwalker, a developer panel, and a piano concert. The second day will begin at the same times and include a Letter from the Producer Live presentation as well as a concert from The Primals.

Death Unto Dawn Screenshots and Trailer