'Final Fantasy XIV' 3.1 Patch Continues Main Quest, Adds New Raid

In June, Final Fantasy XIV players entered three new realms with the Heavensward expansion. It also included a new race called the Au Ra, new enemies, and flying mounts. Five months later, Square Enix has implemented version 3.1 of the game, which it calls "As Goes Light, So Does Darkness."

The patch features more content for the game's main quest, but it also adds more features to explore on the side. At the top of the list is the Void Ark, a large ghost ship stranded in the sky. It's the setting for the new 24-player raid, and it holds secrets and treasures for the taking. There's also a new Trial, called The Minstrel's Ballad: Thordan's Reign. Just like in past trials, these missions feature a boss fight, and players must band together to effectively take it down.

Two new dungeons have appeared as well. Saint Mocianne's Arboretum is filled with dangerous monsters as a result of the overgrown plants taking over the abandoned building. The Pharos Sirius lighthouse is back again, but this time players have to go under its foundation to prevent the famous structure from explosions set by the enemies known as the Kobolds.

Heavensward allowed the game's Free Companies (aka "guilds") to build their own airships, and the new patch expands its use with a new area called the Diadem. The area is full of resources for the taking, but it's also home to ferocious enemies.

Other updates include the addition of a small, real-time strategy mini-game; a selection of new hairstyles for your character; and more mounts, such as bomb palanquin and draught chocobo, can now fly. Obviously, this is but the first of many updates to come for Heavensward, but the amount of content should keep players busy for the next few months.