Proper now, most individuals taking part in Closing Fantasy XIV are possible prepared for Dawntrail, the following main growth due in a few month. All my associates taking part in the sport have a number of characters or courses prepared for the growth, and so they’ve all been wanting on the numerous trailers and job particulars for what’s subsequent in Closing Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail. I’m not even near Dawntrail proper now, and have slowly been chipping away at Closing Fantasy XIV’s foremost story for a few decade at this level. I used to be very sluggish getting via Closing Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn on PS3 and PS4, and solely actually began correctly taking part in it as a lot as I might about two years in the past. I’ve been wanting to put in writing about Closing Fantasy XIV for some time although, and with how a lot it has impressed me not only for its story, but additionally with the way it performs on Steam Deck, I made a decision to put in writing about what that you must know to play Closing Fantasy XIV on Steam Deck in 2024, and in addition why it’s price your time.
How one can play Closing Fantasy XIV on Steam Deck in 2024
For those who’re simply right here to discover ways to play Closing Fantasy XIV on Steam Deck, it’s fairly easy. For those who personal the sport license on Steam or need to play the Closing Fantasy XIV Free Trial on Steam, you possibly can simply declare it in your account and get began. Closing Fantasy XIV is formally marked as Steam Deck Playable by Valve. It is because the sport’s launcher requires utilizing the touchscreen or mouse cursor and manually invoking the on-screen keyboard for textual content enter.
For those who’ve not put in GE-Proton but, I like to recommend doing so simply normally to your Steam Deck as a result of it helps lots of video games run even higher. GamingOnLinux has a step-by-step information right here on doing it. I’ve had lots of people who play Closing Fantasy XIV on Steam Deck advocate utilizing GE-Proton to play, and I’ve had zero points utilizing it.
One last item to bear in mind is Closing Fantasy XIV’s area lock and account system. On Steam, you possibly can solely entry the model meant to your area. For those who play utilizing the standalone license, you don’t have any restrictions like that. Most individuals I do know play on NA accounts regardless of dwelling exterior NA or having moved exterior NA. On Steam, they might be pressured to create a brand new account and character for an additional area. Test the Steam sport web page for Closing Fantasy XIV earlier than logging in or making an account when you plan on taking part in by way of the Steam license. I like to recommend utilizing the standalone license for flexibility. Even when Steam solely serves you the PAL model and also you need to play utilizing the NA area account, the information beneath will assist.
Closing Fantasy XIV on Steam Deck with standalone license
For those who personal Closing Fantasy XIV via its standalone license or the Mog Station like I do, you possibly can nonetheless play via Steam by following this information. It makes use of no mods or plugins. This has labored completely for me for months now on each my Steam Deck LCD and OLED fashions. The one factor you want to bear in mind is ensuring to sort your password, then hiding the keyboard. Don’t press enter or click on login right here. For those who accomplish that, you get an error. When you sort your password after which conceal the keyboard, transfer the cursor to the one time password discipline after which sort that by invoking the keyboard. At this stage, hit return on the keyboard/proper set off. This may allow you to play with out points. I’m undecided what the issue is for clicking or not doing it this manner, however I’ve examined a number of occasions and the one manner to do that with none friction is hitting enter/return/proper set off after the one time password has been crammed. You additionally want GE-Proton to make sure stability.
How does Closing Fantasy XIV run on Steam Deck OLED
As of this writing, I’ve made it to about 10 hours into the Closing Fantasy XIV: Stormblood storyline. I’ve not performed Shadowbringers or Endwalker but so can’t touch upon the content material in these expansions, however the whole lot in Closing Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, Heavensward, patches, and no matter I’ve performed of Closing Fantasy XIV: Stormblood up to now is great on Steam Deck OLED, with it operating effectively above 60fps virtually on a regular basis. I’ve even finished dungeons with associates at 80-90fps.
Whereas I’ve not finished too many raids, I need to spotlight that it does play rather well even in Crystal Tower with all the results and ran noticeably higher than once I performed on consoles. You simply must get used the litter on the small display screen. I’ve been pleasantly shocked at how effectively Closing Fantasy XIV runs and performs on Steam Deck via the numerous dozens of hours I’ve put into it not too long ago and within the final two years throughout updates.
Closing Fantasy XIV Steam Deck graphics settings
I’ve been utilizing the 150% UI setting, windowed mode, customized 1280×800 decision (with 16:10 help), the 90fps body charge restrict, real-time reflections off, anti-aliasing at FXAA, clear lighting high quality and grass at regular, parallax occlusion and tessellation at excessive, map decision at excessive, and glare off. For shadows, I’ve all displayed with LOD set to low-level. Shadow decision at 1024p, cascading at one of the best preset, softening at robust, anisotropic texture filtering at 16x, and dynamic decision off. I performed with dynamic decision on and off, so attempt each and see which you favor. If you wish to run at 60fps and never increased, you possibly can flip just a few choices increased. Since Closing Fantasy XIV is an online-only sport, I’m often taking part in at house or once I’m close to my telephone for hotspot, and I often have a cost close to me. This isn’t a sport I prioritize battery life with.
Closing Fantasy XIV management settings
The one factor I modified right here was PS5 gamepad sort controls so I might have the identical button prompts I’ve been used to for years. I additionally enabled DualSense options for once I play on Steam Deck over the docking station with my DualSense controller plugged in. One factor to bear in mind right here is that the controller ordering typically causes points with which controller is lively. Whereas in a roundabout way associated to controls, I don’t advocate utilizing the on-screen keyboard for chatting. I’ve been utilizing Discord voice to talk with associates whereas taking part in on-line right here.
Closing Fantasy XIV on Xbox Collection X
Since Closing Fantasy XIV hit Xbox Collection X not too long ago, I made a decision to additionally cowl that model. Closing Fantasy XIV on PS5 feels fairly near the PS4 Professional model other than some minor visible enhancements. The large enhance was to load occasions and the superb DualSense haptics. On Xbox Collection X, other than the controller options being absent, it performs nice and hundreds quick. I additionally admire having VRR help which I don’t have on PS5 when utilizing my monitor.
The largest benefit to taking part in Closing Fantasy XIV on Xbox Collection X is for my lazy aspect. Not having to sort the password and one time password every time is nice for getting me to play once I simply need to boot up the sport and do a quest or two. That is extra of a laziness challenge, however it’s price highlighting, and I hope the opposite programs have this added as an choice.
How is Closing Fantasy XIV in 2024 for a brand new participant?
Regardless of having a personality from round 2013, I nonetheless take into account myself a comparatively new participant since I’m nonetheless taking part in story content material that hit again in 2017, simply with newer options added. Closing Fantasy XIV isn’t solely a improbable Closing Fantasy sport, however it’s price your time even if you wish to play solo. Virtually all of the content material might be performed with a celebration of NPCs, and whenever you do must do some content material that isn’t doable like that, the queue time may be very brief in my expertise. If I needed to rely, I believe I’ve had solely about 5 situations of needing to play with others in all of Closing Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn and Heavensward with patches. Taking part in with others is extra enjoyable for certain, however you possibly can deal with this as a single participant Closing Fantasy sport, only one that’s online-only.
Whereas Closing Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn has its ups and downs for the story, I loved virtually all of it main into Heavensward. Heavensward then again is elegant for its narrative, characters, new places, music, and extra. Closing Fantasy XIV: Heavensward is in my high 5 Closing Fantasy video games of all time. It’s completely price experiencing.
Having performed Closing Fantasy XIV on a controller because the early PS4 days and even distant taking part in it on PS Vita when you imagine it, I’ve at all times loved the controller enter methodology. What I didn’t know till somebody in my free firm informed me, is the expanded maintain controls and different crossbar choices for a controller. This coupled with the Steam Deck’s Steam Enter makes Closing Fantasy XIV extra gratifying for me to play on Steam Deck than on PS5 and Xbox. It additionally helps that the sport runs brilliantly on Valve’s handheld.
For those who’re a longtime participant and also you simply need to replay the story, there’s a NG+ choice now, and that may be one of the best use case for experiencing the primary story on Steam Deck. For those who simply need to use the Steam Deck to grind out sure issues, that’s additionally an choice. Having a superb transportable model of Closing Fantasy XIV that even excels above the console variations won’t ever get outdated.
The primary factor I’d prefer to see addressed with Closing Fantasy XIV on Steam Deck and PC normally, is the login system. Proper now, Closing Fantasy XIV on PS5 has you inputting your one time password to login. On Xbox Collection X, it saves the whole lot so that you simply must boot the sport up and may straight hit login and play. On PC, it’s a must to enter each the password and the one time password to login. Doing that is very annoying on Steam Deck. I hope we see the Xbox-style login choice added on PC and PS5 sooner or later.
The music of Closing Fantasy XIV
I’ve principally caught to Closing Fantasy XIV all these years due to Masayoshi Soken’s music. I’ve been listening to it effectively earlier than getting the expansions and even reaching these factors story sensible in-game. I do know this isn’t preferrred, however the music in A Realm Reborn was too good for me to not hearken to it continually through the years. It was fascinating seeing the place every tune was used in-game although. I made a decision to place a pause on that for Endwalker, and have been saving that soundtrack for once I hear it in-game. Soken’s music in Closing Fantasy XIV is past unbelievable. I even love most of his work in Closing Fantasy XVI, however I believe the Heavensward and Shadowbringers music type a few of the collection finest music of all time. It’s that good. I’ve been making it a degree to at all times purchase Closing Fantasy XIV music even when I’m not updated with the sport. I prefer it that a lot.
What’s subsequent for Closing Fantasy XIV on Steam Deck?
Subsequent month, Closing Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail with a graphics overhaul arrives. It’d make some features of this text out of date, however I can’t actually say proper now. I’ll attempt to preserve this up to date as soon as Dawntrail releases so these seeking to get into Closing Fantasy XIV with the brand new graphics can nonetheless play it on Steam Deck. Keep tuned for that. I’ll hopefully even be overlaying Dawntrail sooner or later.
After I initially obtained the Steam Deck again in 2022, it took me some time to se tup Closing Fantasy XIV due to how difficult all of the guides had been again then. In 2024, taking part in Closing Fantasy XIV on Steam Deck is less complicated than ever, and there’s virtually no friction concerned. It feels wonderful on the hand held, and is even playable over a telephone hotspot in my expertise.
As somebody who’s taking part in it just for the story and music, I’ve had a ton of enjoyable with it on my Steam Deck OLED and Xbox in latest weeks. For those who aren’t certain whether it is one thing you’ll take pleasure in, at the least get the free trial as a result of Closing Fantasy XIV: Heavensward is well among the finest Closing Fantasy experiences I’ve ever had.