The Xbox version of Final Fantasy 14 needs a Game Pass subscription in addition to the standard multiplayer fee. Square Enix announced in a blog post that the open beta for the Xbox version will commence on February 21 at 12 midnight Pacific / 3 am Eastern / 8 am UK. Unlike PlayStation, Xbox players will be required to have two subscriptions to access Final Fantasy 14. Square Enix explained, “However, the full version of Xbox Series X and S will require Xbox Game Pass (Core or Ultimate) to play.”
A 30-day subscription to the game is priced at $14.99, 90 days at $41.97, and 180 days at $77.94. The Xbox Game Pass Core, the most economical option, costs $9.99 per month, $24.99 for three months, or $59.99 for a year. With the longest subscription commitment, the most affordable way for an Xbox gamer to play Final Fantasy 14 for a month is $17.98. Alternatively, paying on a month-to-month basis, Xbox players will spend $24.98. Unlike PlayStation players, who don’t need PlayStation Plus to play Final Fantasy 14, many fans are puzzled as to why the equivalent is required on Xbox. In contrast, PC gamers no longer require an additional subscription.
Regarding this move, the gaming community had mixed reactions. A user on ResetEra commented, “Awesome idea. Xbox will be the only platform where you have to pay online and register for games to play.” Another user labeled it as “A greedy move,” but acknowledged that it could be beneficial if one has time to take advantage of a Game Pass subscription while playing an MMO.
In IGN’s 9/10 review of the game’s latest expansion, Endwalker, it was described as bringing the long story to a satisfying close, ranking it as one of the best the Final Fantasy series has ever told. Ryan Dinsdale, a freelance journalist for IGN, discussed the game’s merits in the review.
