On November 25, Square Enix released new details for Patch 5.4 in Final Fantasy XIV, planned for early December 2020. The update, titled Futures Rewritten, will bring several new features. First, the Main Scenario Quests Futures Rewritten, a new Raid Dungeon, Resistance Weapon Quests, and more will be added. In particular, the new Trials: Castrum Marinum will be implemented, adding the Emerald Weapon from the original Final Fantasy VII to Final Fantasy XIV.

Several characters and enemies from past Final Fantasy games joined Final Fantasy XIV over the years. Now, the iconic underwater superboss is finally joining the fray as well. I wouldn't be surprised if the boss fight will have a 20 minutes time limit like in the original, for maximum fanservice. Emerald Weapon is also one of the many mecha designs in Final Fantasy inspired from the Gundam series. The superboss is strikingly similar to the Neue Ziel appearing in Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory, piloted by Gato.

We included the official description for each of the patch notes and new features below:

Final Fantasy XIV Patch 5.4 update details:

New main scenario quests: Futures Rewritten

With Elidibus defeated and the fate of the First secured, the Scions make their long-awaited return to the Source. But in the new future they now look towards, will that which is written upon the pages of history be an anthem of hope...or a dirge of despair?

Raid Dungeon: Eden's Promise

Ryne and her mysterious counterpart Gaia have succeeded in restoring balance to the elements of the Empty. Much of the credit goes to the Warrior of Light, whom they invite to observe whether life continues to flourish in the once-barren desert. While the flame of hope burns brighter than ever, this tale is far from over...

New Dungeon: Matoya's Relict

The Makers' Quarter was once home to some of the finest crafters Eorzea had ever seen, but it has lain in forgotten ruin since the Sharlayan exodus. It is there, hidden amidst overgrown foliage, that the entrance to the former workshop of the Archon Matoya can be found...

Chronicles of a New Era: The Sorrow of Werlyt

Gaius and the Warrior of Light are another step closer to thwarting the Empire's warmachina development project after vanquishing the Sapphire Weapon. However, newly unearthed information alludes to another foe lurking in the shadows, and you must take decisive action before it is too late.

New Trials: Castrum Marinum

Your recent victories have led to the discovery of vital information regarding the Weapon project, confirming the existence of a warmachina code-named "Emerald." It falls to you to spearhead a preemptive strike before this menace can be unleashed upon the world.

Resistance Weapon Quests: Save the Queen: Past to Rest

The battle for the southern front wages on, and having failed to retake Castrum Lacus Litore, chances of victory appear slim for the Resistance. Slimmer still should the IVth Imperial Legion bring the full might of Save the Queen to gear.

New Large-scale Battle: Delubrum Reginae

Beneath the wastes of Bozja Citadel lie the ruins of Queen Gunnhildr's kingdom. The temple at its heart, once a shining beacon of hope for Bozja, now remains forever shrouded in darkness. And it is there the Warrior of Light must lay the queen's legacy to rest.

Blue Mage Update

Patch 5.45 sees the level cap for blue mage raised to 70, as well as the introduction of all-new blue mage job-specific quests and gear. Practitioners of the cerulean arts will also discover new spells to master, and find their blue mage logs updated with 4.x patch content. Being blue has never been so much fun!

Additional changes:

  • Ishgardian Restoration Updates
  • New Unreal Trial
  • Skysteel Tool Update
  • Treasure Hunt Update
  • Ocean Fishing Update
  • Triple Triad Update
  • Doman Mahjong Update
  • Explorer Mode
  • Performance Update
  • New Game+ Update

New several screenshots have been published as well and can be found below. Moreover, a pretty Yuri artwork for the update was published by Square Enix.

Lastly, an interview with Naoki Yoshida was also published through Japanese outlets. The interview focuses on this new update for Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers. We'll be going through it soon. Meanwhile, you can check another YoshiP interview we translated, where he hinted FF XIV could be coming to Xbox.