[agersant]

FFXIV is a single linear game, which gets prolonged by regular expansion packs (Heavensward, Stormblood, Shadowbringers, and now Endwalker coming out this year). To progress, you have to play the base game and then the expansion packs in their release order.

Starting point options are:

- Free trial (base game + first expansion pack) w/ a few restrictions.

- Purchase base game + first expansion pack + monthly subscription

- Purchase base game + all expansions + monthly subscription

Most people say that the quality of the base game is significantly lower than the expansion packs that came after. It is also possible to pay to skip ahead but I would not recommend it as the game eventually builds on its initially weak story.

[meragrin_]

> FFXIV is a single linear game

So MMORPGs have turned into normal games where you are forced to pay a subscription and play with other people?