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Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers is widely praised by critics and players, particularly for its story, character writing, voice acting, and music. Metacritic’s page snapshot accessed in 2026 displays a 90 Metascore from 25 critic reviews and a 9.0 user score from 1,104 ratings. Those scores signal strong reception, not a guarantee that its text-heavy storytelling or MMO progression will suit every player.
What do reviews say about Shadowbringers?
Metacritic lists Shadowbringers’ initial release date as July 2, 2019. Its listing displays a 90 Metascore based on 25 critic reviews and a 9.0 user score based on 1,104 ratings in the page snapshot accessed in 2026. The scores and review counts can change as the page updates; they represent reviews and ratings collected by Metacritic, not a population-wide measure of player satisfaction.
Favorable review excerpts highlight the expansion’s storytelling, writing, voice acting, soundtrack, and additions that refresh gameplay. The same collection also points to drawbacks some players may notice: a Games Machine excerpt calls attention to repetitive MMO leveling activities such as FATE events and side quests, while user-review excerpts complain about long stretches of text and pacing. These are individual reviewers’ reactions, rather than universal judgments.
See Metacritic’s Shadowbringers reviews and listing.
#1 Best Overall
What makes the story a major strength?
The strongest through-line in the favorable excerpts is narrative presentation: writing, voice performances, and music are praised together as parts of the experience. That makes the expansion especially appealing if you play Final Fantasy XIV for its ongoing story and characters, rather than treating quests mainly as a route to the next level or reward.
Story praise does not mean the narrative is delivered like a standalone, tightly paced single-player game. It unfolds within an MMO expansion, through substantial amounts of text and ongoing progression. If extended dialogue and frequent story interruptions are a poor fit for you, the same qualities that let the narrative take its time may become a frustration.
How does the pacing and MMO structure affect the experience?
Review reception points to a divide between narrative investment and the structure surrounding it. Some reviewers praise the story and character work; others find the text volume or pacing demanding. Separately, progression includes the kinds of repeated activities associated with leveling in an MMO. The available excerpts specifically mention FATE events and side quests as examples.
- More likely to suit you: you enjoy long-form stories, can settle into extended dialogue, and are comfortable with repeated quests or group-oriented MMO activities.
- More likely to frustrate you: you prefer concise storytelling, quick access to action, or a progression path with little repetition.
These are useful ways to interpret the criticism, not a prediction of any individual player’s response.
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- New jobs and new playable race, with level cap increased from 70 to 80
- Journey through expansive new areas with a plethora of new dungeons to explore
- New premises and new beast tribes
- Challenging new 8 player raids
- Requires Final Fantasy XIV Online Starter Edition (A Realm Reborn) to play the game
What does Shadowbringers add to Final Fantasy XIV?
Metacritic’s expansion summary lists new jobs, races, a higher level cap, and new cities. In practical terms, it adds options for character creation and play while extending the game’s existing progression.
| Addition | What it means |
|---|---|
| Gunbreaker and Dancer | Two new jobs. |
| Viera and Hrothgar | Two new playable races. |
| Level cap increase | Raised from 70 to 80. |
| New cities | Includes the Crystarium and Eulmore. |
These additions may be a draw if you want new job choices or more character customization. They do not make the expansion a separate entry point: Square Enix describes it as intended for existing users, and its product page historically required players to progress through Stormblood to access Shadowbringers content. Check the official page for current product and access details before buying.
Square Enix’s Shadowbringers product page.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is Shadowbringers worth playing?
The reviews make a strong case for playing it if you value story, character writing, voice acting, and soundtrack in a long-running MMO. Its new jobs and races add variety, and the expansion develops the existing game rather than starting a separate series.
The main question is whether you want that narrative inside an MMO progression structure. If you are prepared for extended text, leveling activities, and the progression prerequisites of the ongoing game, the reception suggests a rewarding expansion. If you want a brief, self-contained action game with minimal repetition, the high aggregate scores may not reflect what matters most to you.
Buying the expansion or its related products
Square Enix’s product page labels both the standard and collector’s editions as discontinued. Its historical edition details and launch prices should not be mistaken for current offers; check the official page and current platform storefronts for availability and access requirements.
The launch announcement lists the collector’s edition’s physical extras as an illustrated art box, Dark Knight figure, art book, vinyl logo cling, and playing cards, alongside in-game items. These are historical edition contents, not a statement that the edition is currently available.
For readers interested in the art, Square Enix Manga & Books lists The Art of Reflection -Histories Unwritten- as a 296-page trade paperback, ISBN 9781646091225, released September 28, 2021, with Amazon among the listed retailers. Retailer stock can change, so check availability directly.
Official listing for The Art of Reflection -Histories Unwritten-. Square Enix Music documents a Shadowbringers soundtrack album and its Japanese release date; its page emphasizes download and streaming distribution, so confirm a physical retailer listing before seeking a physical copy: official soundtrack page. The launch announcement is available at Square Enix Final Fantasy Portal.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
