FFXIV is letting lapsed players back in for free — but there’s a four-day catch

Square Enix gives lapsed FFXIV players four free days to try patch 7.4 – and it’s a smart play

Square Enix just rolled out a short, sharp free login campaign for Final Fantasy XIV that’s timed to make the most sense: right after the warm reception to patch 7.4. From Friday, January 9 through Monday, February 9, any previously subscribed account that’s been inactive for at least 30 days can log in and get four days of playtime at no charge. This caught my attention because the team is clearly trying to turn goodwill from the latest patch into real re-engagement – and for once the timing feels genuinely player-focused, not just a cash grab.

• Who’s eligible: Accounts that own FFXIV and were unsubscribed for a minimum of 30 days.
• When: Jan 9 12am PT – Feb 9 7am PT (see local times for exact windows).
• What you get: Four days of playtime from first login, enough to sample patch 7.4 story beats, quality-of-life changes, and the final Arcadion raid bouts from Dawntrail.
• The catch: Four days is short. Plan your log-in to maximize value.

Why this matters now

FFXIV’s reputation has been riding high since Endwalker, but Dawntrail and a few post-Endwalker patches divided opinion. Creative Studio 3 has been under pressure to re-earn full trust, and patch 7.4 landed with a surprising amount of goodwill. Square Enix is leaning into that positive momentum – inviting former players back to judge the improvements for themselves is the kind of low-friction reintroduction that often converts nostalgia into renewed subscriptions.

This campaign matters for the live service business model: four free days lowers the resistance for busy players to come back, sample new systems, and potentially re-subscribe. It’s also a morale boost for the community, signalling confidence in the current direction of storytelling, animation, and raid design.

Breaking down what you can actually play

Patching into FFXIV during this window lets you judge several concrete improvements. Story-wise, 7.4 gives extra focus to Krile and tightens character moments that were previously hit-or-miss in Dawntrail’s rollout. The voice work and animation have taken notable strides: cutscenes feel more alive, with body language and intimate touches — holding hands, hugs, and small choreography — that change the emotional weight of dialogue-heavy scenes.

On the combat side, the Arcadion raid series is a highlight you can realistically clear in four days if you prioritize it. These wrestling-themed boss fights are high-octane, mechanically satisfying, and unusually musical for FFXIV — each encounter comes with its own stylistic track, capped by a bold guest appearance that fans will recognize.

What Square Enix is betting on — and where I stay skeptical

This feels like a calculated re-engagement push: when player sentiment is trending positive, give the fence-sitters a low-effort way back in. If they enjoy the story beats, the smoother animations, and the raid tunes, a big chunk will resubscribe. That’s good business and, to be blunt, a sensible use of marketing resources.

My skepticism is practical. Four days is tight for an MMO that’s as narrative-heavy as FFXIV. Players juggling work and family may log in and leave frustrated at not seeing the full arc. There’s also the perennial worry: is this designed to showcase genuine improvements or to spike concurrent users for a sales window. The answer is both — but the quality of 7.4 gives Square Enix more credibility than most companies have for this kind of move.

How to make the most of your four free days

• Start your timer when you have a solid evening or a weekend day to binge cutscenes and raids.
• Prioritize the Arcadion raid series if you want the most immediate, replayable fun.
• If you care about story, chase the 7.4 MSQ beats and the Krile-focused scenes — they showcase the improvements to animation and voice work.
• Don’t forget QoL changes: inventory, login flow, and interface tweaks can make returning less painful than before.

TL;DR

Square Enix’s free login campaign is a smart, well-timed move that gives lapsed Final Fantasy XIV players a bite-sized window to reassess the game after patch 7.4. Four days won’t be enough for everyone, but if you time it right you can sample the story polish, QoL fixes, and the Arcadion raids — and that may be enough to bring a lot of players back into the fold.