【Fantasy Archives】

Final Fantasy XIVmight not be Fantasy Archivesfree-to-play, but it just got a whole lot closer.

Square Enix has officially removed the 14-day access restriction on free trial accounts. That means you can start a new trial character and play as much FFXIVas you want until you hit level 35. Once that happens you need to either subscribe or start another character.

This marks a major change for one of the last top-tier subscription-based MMORPGs not called World of Warcraft. Previously, the free trial ended after a two week timer elapsed, regardless of your progress.

You're getting an awful lot of free content now. Leveling even one character up to 35 will take some time -- at least a few days of moderate play (or one day of super-efficient, heavy play). And you're allowed to create as many as eight, as long as there's no more than one per World (the FFXIVdesignation for servers).

Prior to hitting level 35, there aren't many restrictions on what you can do in the game. You'll be able to link up with friends and randoms, visit the Deep Dungeon, and take advantage of the cross-platform play between PC and PlayStation 4.

That's another cool thing: FFXIVis available for PS4, and it works surprisingly well as a console game.

I dove down the FFXIVrabbit hole for a couple weeks during a lull in my Destinyobsession. I didn't play for long -- never even reached level 20 -- because the initial 30-day subscription expired and I didn't re-up it.

Now that the ticking clock is gone, I'm actually tempted to jump back in and keep going with my character. FFXIVis a standard MMORPG in many ways, but it's set in a fantasy universe filled with familiar touchstones. Like Chocobos. Everybody loves Chocobos.

To try it for yourself, head over to the game's official website and create an account or -- for the PS4 folks -- find and download the free client in the PS Store. It's been a while, but I remember the setup process being quick and easy.

For the low price of absolutely nothing, there's no harm in checking this game out, especially if you've been jonesing for more Final Fantasyafter the long-awaited 2016 release of Final Fantasy XV.

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