Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail Benchmark set to launch this Sunday, April 14

During tonight’s Final Fantasy XIV Live Letter, Square Enix revealed that the official Benchmark software for the upcoming Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail expansion will go live in just a couple of days on April 14. According to a tweet by Square Enix, the update benchmark features the new graphical updates coming to Final Fantasy XIV in the expansion as well as a character creation tool featuring the new female Hrothgar.

The Benchmark, as per usual, appears to give us a nice tour through what we can look forward to in Dawntrail. It starts off with the Warrior of Light sailing towards the continent of Tural with the updated water animation. Let me just say: it’s beautiful. Over the course of the benchmark, we get a look at some intense fights showcasing the new Viper job, followed by a brief meeting at a quest hub with Pictomancer Krile. The benchmark ends with another fight further showcasing the new jobs, filled with the new animations and overall revamped graphics systems coming in Dawntrail.

A graphical overhaul has been talked about for a while, and Dawntrail the upgrades to fruition. The expansion includes better lighting, textures, weather effects, and object density. The graphical upgrades will apply specifically to the new areas in the Dawntrail expansion, and then the development team will go back and enhance previous areas starting with A Realm Reborn and working forward through all the expansions.

Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail is set to release on July 2, 2024 on all platforms. Those who pre-order get Early Access a few days early on June 28.