Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
GamesRadar
GamesRadar
Technology
Oscar Taylor-Kent

Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail leads PLAY’s massive Final Fantasy special

Final Fantasy 14 Dawntrail.

And in the beginning there was… Final Fantasy. Or at least that’s how I remember it, anyway, with the seventh outing on the classic grey box completely changing the way many of us thought about games. All these years on, and it’s still happening, which makes this big takeover for the PLAY #38 Final Fantasy special a really (ahem) fantastic one.

Subscribe to PLAY Magazine here to save on the cover price, get exclusive covers, and have it delivered to your door or device every month.

Or buy the current issue here!

Naoki Yoshida on Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail

(Image credit: Future, Square Enix)

Leading the way is Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail. The start of a bold new era for the online RPG, we’re setting sail for new adventures, and Naoki Yoshida sits down to tell us all about it.

As ambitious as ever, this might be a new expansion but make no mistake: this is the next big, new Final Fantasy. With a massive story arc brought to a closure, this is a fresh start in many ways, creating opportunity for new gameplay twists, some stunning new locations, and technical improvements as well. Final Fantasy 14 is here to stay.

Us on Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

(Image credit: Future, Square Enix)

But for something older made new again, we’ve Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. The biggest PS5 exclusive of the year, we’ve spent hours upon hours in this truly humongous quest to bring you our first verdict, ahead of our scored review. Needless to say, we’re stoked so far.

Final Fantasy's many approaches to sequels and spin-offs

(Image credit: Future, Square Enix)

FF14 and FF7 have something in common beyond being two meaty quests. They’re both expanding on the series’ well-crafted worlds. It’s not the first time the anthology series has aimed to make an entry into something bigger.

Here, we take a look at the different approaches through the years, including epilogues, spin-offs, cameos, the original FF7 Compilation, and, of course, FF13’s Fabula Nova Crystallis project.

Death Stranding 2 gets beach ready

(Image credit: Future, Kojima Productions)

With those huge 2024 games out the way, what about the years ahead? Leading our Insider section, Hideo Kojima has the answers across next year’s wildly ambitious Death Stranding 2: On The Beach and a spiritual successor to Metal Gear.

We also chat with New Star GP’s devs about crafting a retro racing revival, take a look at the town of Silent Hill’s big redevelopment plans, slurp up some noodles, and more.

Harold Halibut dives into our Previews

(Image credit: Future, Slow Bros)

This issue we spent some time under an alien sea with Harold Halibut, a jaw-dropping hand-crafted creation that’s set to be a journey to remember. We also investigate the samurai-steel sharp open world of Rise Of The Ronin, from Ninja Gaiden’s creators, and give a final preview of Dragon’s Dogma 2.

Also in previews: Dave The Diver, Freedom Planet 2, Naiad, and more!

Our massive Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League verdict leads our Reviews

(Image credit: Future, Warner Bros)

Campaign cleared. Endgame mastered. So does Suicide Squad have the juice? Our massive review of the Arkham-successor leads our reviews section, and we go in-depth on it all, from the villainous story to the fast-paced combat. And, of course, its live service ambitions. We’ve spent a long time on this one.

Also inside: Banishers: Ghost Of New Eden, Persona 3 Reload, Touhou Luna Nights, Ultros, Granblue Fantasy: Relink, and more!

RetroStation boots up

(Image credit: Future, Heart Machine)

Now Loading: The RetroStation. We embrace pixel art with our retrospective on Hyper Light Drifter, an indie hit we just can’t forget, step up to defend WWE’s Ribbie, ask the readers for their thoughts on Dark Souls 2, return to PS1’s Star Wars: Episode I, ponder Heavenly Sword’s launch on PS3, and chart the eclectic evolution of kart racers over the years.

Subscribe and save

(Image credit: Future, Square Enix)

Want more? Then consider subscribing to the magazine for more fantastic access and insightful commentary on all the latest PS5, PS4, and PSVR games. We deliver to your door (or device) each month with exclusive subscriber covers, and subscribing saves you a chunk of cash while supporting the magazine directly. We can’t do what we do without your support!

You can subscribe to the print edition, digital version, or save even more with the print/digital bundle – whatever you choose, you’ll be receiving an unprecedented trove of dedicated PlayStation coverage every month.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.