The previous 18 months have been, to place it frivolously, haven’t been nice. The covid-19 pandemic has and continues to warp our lives in methods large and small. But for me personally, I’ve been capable of finding pleasure and keep away from burnout by means of one thing I by no means thought I’d take pleasure in: the critically acclaimed and much memed MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV.

To make it completely clear, I’ve been fortunate, all issues thought-about. Most of my shut relations have caught covid-19 by this level, typically severely, however I haven’t up to now. Friends of mine have completely moved away or misplaced their jobs on account of the pandemic, however I’ve been steadily employed and capable of make money working from home—a bonus that I wouldn’t have had throughout most of my working life. And there have been many journalists who’ve experienced far more covid-related anxiousness and melancholy than I’ve within the final two years.

All that stated, it hasn’t been a cakewalk both. As a science and well being reporter, I’ve needed to stare on the pandemic in a single type or one other nearly each single day. And like many, I’ve had my moments of crushing pessimism and disappointment, notably in seeing covid as soon as once more resurge this summer time.

Maintaining the bonds I’ve with family and friends has definitely helped me keep stage, as has my longtime jogging routine and my obnoxiously cute cat Cheddar. But if I needed to decide any pandemic-era behavior to thank probably the most for holding me coherent, it might be Final Fantasy XIV.

For these not acquainted, FFXIV is a recreation within the vein of World of Warcraft that was first launched in 2010, then re-released in 2013. That amusing saga is best lined by my colleagues at Kotaku, however in brief, the unique recreation bombed so onerous that its makers, Square Enix, went again and by some means efficiently rebooted it. The revamped model has had three expansions, with a fourth—Endwalker—set to return out subsequent month. And all of it kicks main ass.

I’ve at all times beloved RPGs and most Final Fantasy video games (not taking a look at you, FFIV The After Years), however I had undoubtedly reduce down on my recreation enjoying earlier than the pandemic. About halfway by means of summer time 2020, although, I had the sudden itch to dig out my Playstation 4 and I observed FFXIV on it—a totally untouched recreation that I had forgotten I purchased in 2014. I lastly obtained to enjoying it and haven’t appeared again since.

FFXIV just isn’t for these with little time on their palms. With the expansions included, merely getting by means of the intricate and often gripping predominant story, full of dragons, a scheming empire, and various dimensions, will take you 100 plus hours. And the various sidequests and different off-the-path amusements, which embrace a full on on line casino, chocobo breeding (Final Fantasy’s model of racehorses), and crafting fancy new gear, will take a whole bunch extra to run by means of. There’s additionally the handfuls of dungeons and raids accessible to finish, that are crushed by events made up of three important roles: healers, tanks to soak enemy harm, and DPS to knock the monsters down. For now, I’ve been a healer, which supplies a pleasant mixture of complexity and ease when you’ve obtained the mechanics down.

But the pacing and scheduling of all these items is as much as you, excellent for somebody whose hours could be typically in flux when some late breaking information is available in. Some MMORPGS, notably World of WarCraft, are all about advancing by means of the sport as shortly as potential so you’ll be able to rating the most effective gear potential. But though FFXIV undoubtedly has a difficult endgame, I’ve solely barely dipped my toes into it, being content material sufficient to get by means of the story beats after which doing my very own factor. Right now, I’m engaged on leveling all my crafting lessons, and from there, possibly I’ll strive my hand at glamours, which let you customise your gear’s look with out shedding their stats.

And whereas this has been stated earlier than by many others, the most effective factor about FFXIV is the group. Whether you’re going by means of a dungeon for the primary time, or just asking a query, most individuals are charitable and keen to assist nevertheless they will. Seeing that a lot kindness and good religion from others—on the web of all locations—has been a balm for the soul, particularly in comparison with in every single place else on social media throughout covid-19. Nowadays, I’m a part of a free firm, a loose-knit troupe of gamers, that prides itself on being for informal players. When I’ve the time on weekends, I run by means of dungeons with them in hopes of getting some nice-looking mounts to experience on.

I might rant all day about my love for this recreation, although I don’t really want to. FFXIV has develop into so fashionable these days that their servers can barely take the amount. And with the upcoming Endwalker enlargement forward, which is already getting some stellar reviews, the hype machine will solely get louder.

But if any of this looks like enjoyable to you, and also you’ve obtained the time, I’d undoubtedly suggest leaping in with each ft.