FFXIV Dawntrail 7.0 Graphics Update Comparison: New Shadows, Character Models, and More

FFXIV is getting a major graphics update in Dawntrail.

by Noah Nelson
Image: Square Enix

While FFXIV is an amazing game, it isn’t known for being the prettiest game graphically. However, when FFXIV Dawntrail launches with 7.0 in Summer 2024, there will be a major graphics update that makes characters, environments, and shadows look much more impressive. Here are the graphics updates you can look forward to in FFXIV Dawntrail 7.0.

Related: FFXIV Dawntrail: Release Date, New Jobs, Locations, and Story Details

All Graphics Updates in FFXIV Dawntrail 7.0

In the day one Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival 2023, Naoki Yoshida revealed that more upgrades to graphics will roll out throughout the 7.X updates. Though there will be many graphical improvements to characters, shadows, and textures in 7.0, these updates will come over time.

FFXIV-Armor-Graphics-Update
Image: Square Enix

In Final Fantasy XIV, all armors, character models, and environments are getting a big graphical improvement. As you can see in the images above, the before and after speaks for itself. However, the 7.0 graphics update will roll out to all character models, armor, and environments not all at once but over time.

FFXIV-Grass-Graphics-Update
Image: Square Enix

The Final Fantasy XIV team is very excited about the new plants and biodiversity graphical updates coming to the game. After watching the before and after, I have to say that the environments are much more vibrant and full. This is an impressive update that we can’t wait to experience firsthand in FFXIV Dawntrail.

FFXIV-Environment-Graphics-Update
Image: Square Enix

Related: How Do You Fix the Screenshot Failed Error in FFXIV?

The team behind Final Fantasy XIV is working on updating 7.0’s graphics, then 2.0, and then the expansions in between. It will take time for this major graphics overhaul update to roll out, but I think it’ll be worth it in the end.

If, when you launch into FFXIV Dawntrail, your favorite armor isn’t updated yet, take comfort in knowing that it’s coming. What you can experience immediately is the updated graphics for the environments in New World including more details, better shadows, crisper colors, and much more. Look forward to all of this and much more in Final Fantasy XIV Dawntrail.

- This article was updated on July 28th, 2023

About The Author

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From his early days of blog-style music, movie, and game reviews to working as the Esports Writer at Coastline Community College, Noah Nelson now works fulltime as a Staff Writer for Attack of the Fanboy and PC Invasion. He has been helping gamers everywhere with Destiny 2 god rolls, Warzone 2 DMZ missions, and collectibles in any indie game for over a year and a half. His Bachelor's Degree in English Rhetoric and Composition with a minor in Journalism from CSULB has shaped him to be a strong writer and editor. His fondest gaming memory is playing Sly Cooper 2 after begging his mom (for hours) to play it before his birthday and he still cries myself to sleep remembering the time he accidentally saved over his 99% completion save file in Kingdom Hearts 2.