How To Get Started In Final Fantasy 14 And More Tips For The Week

Image: Capcom, Starry Studio, Nexon, Square Enix, Screenshot: FromSoftware / Kotaku, Square Enix, Pocketpair / Kotaku, NEXON Games / Kotaku, Nexon / Kotaku, Pocketpair / Kotaku

Looking to take your first steps into Square Enix’s acclaimed and newly expanded MMO, Final Fantasy 14? We’ve got you covered with some great beginner guides. We’ve also got tips for Palworld, Once Human, and The First Descendant, as well as recommendations for games to pick up before the Xbox 360 online store shuts down for good.

Image: Capcom

Microsoft has issued its final price update for all digital Xbox 360 games before the console’s marketplace goes offline for good on July 29. That means you can get a bunch of good old games for very cheap right now. And as a tribute to its most successful gaming box ever, Microsoft has even memorialized the Xbox 360 blade interface with a free new dynamic background for Xbox Series X/S. – Ethan Gach Read More

Screenshot: FromSoftware / Kotaku

Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree expansion brings so much new content to the game that it nearly feels like a sequel. But it also reimagines a handful of ideas from the base game to maintain a sense of familiarity. One of these features is the ability to duplicate the Remembrances you earn from defeating bosses in the DLC—but this time you won’t be taking down massive turtle-like mausoleums to duplicate them. – Billy Givens Read More

Screenshot: Square Enix

Final Fantasy XIV offers a variety of content and depth that few games can match. While this is a huge boon for the MMO’s longtime players, new players who have just started their account with the Starter Edition or Free Trial (we recommend the Free Trial for first-timers) may have trouble sifting through the firehose of information coming at them. Yes, Final Fantasy XIV has a ton of content and sometimes the best way to get started is to just jump in and see where it leads you. But if you want a better path that nets you more EXP gains and will help you avoid getting lost, we’ve got you covered. Here are 10 tips to help turn that firehose into a refreshing drink. – Simon Mackinley Estey Read More

Image: Starry Studio

At first glance, you wouldn’t know it, but the open-world survival game Once Human features a robust weapon crafting and customization system. Let’s be honest: You won’t survive the apocalypse using a mere baseball bat or machete. – Brandon Morgan Read More

Screenshot: Pocketpair / Kotaku

Palworld has seen updates here and there since its launch earlier this year, but its biggest came on June 27, 2024 with the Sakurajima update. In addition to a slew of new endgame content and updated mechanics, the focal point is the eponymous island that makes up the game’s latest region. But what should you do when you arrive? – Samuel Moreno Read More

Screenshot: NEXON Games / Kotaku

Like one of its clear inspirations, Warframe, The First Descendant features countless heroes that directly alter your playstyle, abilities, and equipment. And, similarly to Warframe, the path to unlock additional Descendants in The First Descendant requires a significant grind. You can handle that grind in one of two ways: Either you can spend the time in-game, playing through countless missions to satisfy various objectives and requirements, or you can pull out your credit card to purchase the game’s premium currency, Caliber, which significantly speeds up the unlock progress. – Brandon Morgan Read More

Image: Nexon

When you first jump into loot shooter The First Descendant, you’ll think, “Wow, this is easy!” And for the most part, you’d be right. The gameplay is straightforward, character movement and power feel wonderful, and despite the numerous currencies and menus, everything is clear with some guidance. But then you hit the mid-game and everything slows to a crawl, leaving you to wonder why your Descendant feels so weak. – Brandon Morgan Read More

Screenshot: Nexon / Kotaku

The goal of any loot shooter like The First Descendant is to regularly increase in power. After all, you want to feel stronger, right? Don’t you want to storm through enemies, dealing immense damage with every strike, becoming an unstoppable machine to stop the Vulgus in its tracks? – Brandon Morgan Read More

Image: Square Enix

Like most RPGs, a majority of your time in Final Fantasy XIV is spent completing various quests. However, new players may find themselves wondering what each of the different symbols mean, or how to tell what quests are worth their time. This guide will explain the three main types of quests, as well as how to tell if a quest can or can’t be completed. – Simon Mackinley Estey Read More

Screenshot: Pocketpair / Kotaku

Palworld’s Sakurajima update massively expanded the game when it launched on June 27, update, 2024. Although most of the new content can be found within the new Sakurajima region, one of the biggest additions is tucked away on the other side of the map—an Oil Rig Stronghold with a staggering amount of enemies and one-of-a-kind dangers. That might not sound very appealing at first, but the rare materials and potential legendary weapon schematics hiding on board probably will. – Samuel Moreno Read More