Final Fantasy XIV

Final Fantasy XIV

game

2013, Role-playing (RPG)

WISE
71%

WISE Score

82%

IGDB

A sprawling MMO with one of gaming's best stories and friendliest communities—if you can handle the monthly fee and the stranger-danger.

Where to Play

Xbox
Xbox
PlayStation
PlayStation
PC/Steam
PC/Steam
Screenwise Verdict

FFXIV is that rare MMO that respects your intelligence. The story—especially Heavensward and Shadowbringers—is legitimately good, with emotional weight and character development that rivals single-player RPGs. The community is shockingly kind by online gaming standards, with a culture of helping sprouts (newbies) rather than mocking them.

But it's still an MMO. That means strangers in chat, the risk of too much screen time, and a subscription model that asks for ongoing commitment. The game itself has minimal predatory monetization (no loot boxes, thank god), but the sheer volume of content is designed to keep you hooked month after month.

For teens 14+ who love fantasy, can handle mature themes, and have the self-control to not let it consume their lives, this is one of the better online gaming choices. For younger kids or those prone to gaming addiction, proceed with caution and clear boundaries.

Age Fit

Best for ages 14+ who can handle mature story themes, navigate online social dynamics, and self-regulate their playtime. The ESRB Teen rating is spot-on. Younger kids (10-13) might enjoy the gameplay with heavy parental supervision and chat restrictions, but the time commitment and stranger interaction make this a tougher sell for that age group.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
72

FFXIV has a genuinely emotional, character-driven story that models friendship, sacrifice, and cooperation. The community is notably welcoming and helpful—one of the better MMO cultures. However, as an online game with thousands of strangers, you'll encounter occasional crude humor, relationship drama in chat, and players in skimpy glamour outfits. The core narrative is wholesome; the social environment is mostly wholesome with unpredictable moments.

Imaginative
88

This is a sprawling fantasy world with deep lore, multiple expansions that each tell epic stories, and genuine creative freedom in character customization, housing decoration, and role-play. You can be a catgirl bard, a dragon knight, a scholarly summoner—the job system encourages experimentation. The world of Eorzea is richly imagined with distinct cultures, politics, and mythology. It invites exploration and creative expression through glamour (transmog), player housing, and community events.

Safe
58

ESRB rates it T for Teen (alcohol reference, animated blood, language, suggestive themes, violence). The game itself has mild fantasy violence and some mature story beats (war, loss, political intrigue). The real safety concern is the MMO nature: unfiltered player chat, potential for harassment, trading scams, and the time-sink risk of subscription-based endless content. Square Enix has moderation and reporting tools, but like any online game with strangers, supervision matters. No loot boxes or predatory monetization (subscription + optional cosmetics), which is a plus. The 'users interact' flag is critical here.

Enriching
76

The main story questline (especially Heavensward and Shadowbringers expansions) is genuinely well-written, dealing with themes of duty, grief, hope, and what it means to be a hero. It builds reading comprehension (tons of dialogue), strategic thinking (combat mechanics), and social skills (group dungeons require communication and patience). The job system teaches adaptability. However, it's also a massive time investment with repetitive grinding, fetch quests, and the risk of escapism over real-world engagement.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • Genuinely excellent storytelling, especially in later expansions—deals with loss, hope, and heroism in thoughtful ways
  • One of the kindest MMO communities; veterans actively help newcomers, and toxic behavior is less tolerated than in other online games
  • Encourages cooperation and patience through group dungeons and raids that require communication
  • Deep character customization and creative outlets (housing, glamour, role-play) let kids express themselves
  • Teaches strategic thinking, reading comprehension (so much dialogue), and adaptability through the job-switching system
⚠

What to Watch For

  • It's an MMO with thousands of strangers—chat can include crude jokes, relationship drama, or harassment despite moderation tools
  • Subscription model ($13-15/month) is a commitment, and there are optional cosmetic purchases in the cash shop
  • The time investment is massive—this is a game designed to keep you playing for hundreds of hours, which can interfere with homework, sleep, and real-world relationships
  • Some story content includes war, death, political intrigue, and suggestive character designs (skimpy outfits are a thing)
  • Younger teens may not have the emotional maturity for some of the heavier narrative themes or the social dynamics of guild (Free Company) drama

Conversation Starters

  • "Which job (class) did you pick, and what made you choose it? Do you like being able to switch between them?"
  • "Tell me about your Free Company (guild)—what are the people like? Have you made any friends you actually enjoy playing with?"
  • "The story deals with some heavy stuff like war and loss. How do you feel about those parts? Any moments that stuck with you?"
  • "How do you handle it when someone in chat is being rude or creepy? What's your plan for dealing with that?"
  • "Let's talk about screen time—how much are you playing each day, and is it cutting into other stuff you want to do?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic

Writing about Final Fantasy XIV? Put this WISE score on your site