With nearly 10 years on the market,Final Fantasy 14has nearly 100 dungeons spread across the base game and its subsequent four expansion packs. Some of these dungeons are a part of the Main Scenario, others are optional side quests, and others still are Hard versions of old instances. Each of theseFinal Fantasy 14dungeons has something memorable about them, no matter how many times a player clears it.
However, among these many dungeons, a few stand out from the rest. Each of these instances carved out its place in history for one reason or another, be it for frustrating mechanics, incredible atmosphere, unforgettable story moments, or hilarious memes. Many fans consider these instances to be their favorite orleast-favorite dungeons from eachFinal Fantasy 14expansion.
RELATED:Gamer Finds Final Fantasy 14 Reference in International Politics Textbook
A Realm Reborn - The Praetorium
With 31 instances in total, A Realm Reborn contains over a third ofFinal Fantasy 14’s dungeons. As the landing point of the critically-acclaimed MMORPG, this comes as no surprise – doubly so consideringFinal Fantasy 14has reduced the number of new dungeons added in each patch over time. That said, it would be impossible not to choose The Praetorium as the most iconic dungeon from A Realm Reborn.
The Praetorium is the final dungeon of A Realm Reborn. As a massive story moment,Final Fantasy 14doesn’t let players skip The Praetorium’s lengthy cutscenes, even if the party has already completed it. Though The Praetorium has since been streamlined into a much shorter experience, its original incarnation easily took over an hour to complete. The Praetorium taughtFinal Fantasy 14not to put long story cutscenes into group content.
A Realm Reborn gave players other noteworthy dungeons too. The Lost City of Amdapor is not only one ofFinal Fantasy 14’s best-looking dungeons, but was the first to introduce the static, repeating soundtrack adopted for future dungeons. There is also Aurum Vale–an infamousFinal Fantasy 14dungeon that gives players nightmares even after being streamlined. Even so, the legendary, meme-worthy monologue from Gaius van Baelsar ensured The Praetorium takes home the title.
Heavensward - The Vault
There is no contest that The Vault is the most memorable dungeon in the award-winning Heavensward expansion. The incredible lighting, music, and atmosphere of the dungeon compels players forward as they chase down Archbishop Thordan, battling the corrupted Heavens’ Ward knights along the way. The incredible dungeon was only made better withFinal Fantasy 14’s Duty Support system, which allows players to fight alongside the beloved Haurchefant Fortemps.
But what truly makes The Vault so incredible is the major story moment that occurs afterward. Hearts were shattered in the first cutscene that solidifiedFinal Fantasy 14as an incredible game for many players. It has become a custom to wish the best of luck to new players completing the Vault for the first time – and to suggest they bring tissues.
Other Heavensward dungeons provide amazing experiences as well. Fighting Nidhogg in The Aerie alongside Estinien made for an awesome mid-expansion twist, and battling Hraesvelgr in Sohr Khai, the home of Ratatoskr, was awe-inspiring. Though the confrontations with theFirst Brood ofFinal Fantasy 14were epic, none of these moments can beat out the tear-jerking spectacle from The Vault.
Stormblood - Doma Castle
From the moment players phase into Doma Castle, they cannot help but get pumped. The energetic remix of the Yanxian theme hypes players up as they take the battle to the Garleans for the first time in Stormblood. Doma Castle does an excellent job of creating an atmosphere of triumph and conflict.
Like The Vault, Doma Castle also has some dramatic cutscenes that follow it, and like The Praetorium, the voice lines of Grynewaht during the final encounter are often memed by the community. Between the incredible atmosphere, music, and theme, Doma Castle has a little bit of everything, and truly embodies whatthe Stormblood expansionis all about.
RELATED:Final Fantasy 14’s Classes Are Slowly Losing Their Identity
Other Stormblood dungeons do deserve honorable mentions, however. The second “boss” of Bardam’s Mettle is unforgettably unique in that it is not a battle at all, and The Ghimlyt Dark was an epic way to close out the expansion and tease theNPC Trust system it added in Shadowbringers. Despite this, Doma Castle still wins out as the most iconic dungeon from Stormblood.
Shadowbringers - Amaurot
Most players agree Shadowbringers was incredible from start to finish. While that may suggest it would be hard to pick a dungeon to encapsulate the expansion, Amaurot makes the decision quite easy. The final dungeon of the base Shadowbringers experience is the best one in the expansion – and possibly all ofFinal Fantasy 14.
Players enter a recreation of the Final Days of Amaurot in an apocalyptic display that renders most speechless.Final Fantasy 14’s legendary Emet-Selchnarrates every step while players battle through monstrous blasphemies as they witness the end of a civilization, all set to a somber, emotional rendition of Neath Dark Waters. The culminating scenes and sights of the dungeon evoke powerful emotions in many players each time they enter it, even years later.
Then again, almost every Shadowbringers dungeon deserves accolades. Holminster Switch set an incredible pace for the expansion by showing the threat of theSin Eaters inFinal Fantasy 14, and the Heroes’ Gauntlet provided an epic lead-up to the battle with one of the best trials in the game. Amaurot is simply the best of the best.
Endwalker - Ktisis Hyperboreia
The Endwalker expansion was full of emotional moments and plot twists. Among these dungeons filled with grotesque monsters, crushing despair, and unimaginable vistas, Ktisis Hyperboreia stands apart from the others both physically and spiritually. The time-twisting circumstances, mind-bending lore drops, and breathtaking sights solidify it as one of thebest dungeons in Endwalker.
Perhaps the biggest reason Ktisis Hyperboreia is so iconic is the characters that accompany players through the Duty Support system. Rather than partying with the Scions, players enter Ktisis Hyperboreia with Emet-Selch, Venat, and Hythlodeus – three of themost popular characters fromFinal Fantasy 14: Endwalker. For this reason, players should use the Duty Support system for their first clears.
Of course, The Aitiascope and the Dead Ends dungeons deserve recognition as well. The former provided the ultimate callback experience as players delve into the underworld to face a beloved foe in a heart-wrenching battle, and the latter shows the breadth of despair which led to the Final Days happening in the first place. Even so, the experience offered in Ktisis Hyperboreia currently holds the title – though it is possible Patch 6.4 or 6.5 could release an even more iconic dungeon beforethe nextFinal Fantasy 14expansion arrives next year.
Final Fantasy 14is available now for PC, PS4, and PS5.
