Like many other MMOs, Square Enix's Final Fantasy 14 is no stranger to seasonal events. Right now, Final Fantasy 14 players can participate in Heavensturn. Heavensturn is Eorzea's counterpart to the real world's new year celebrations.
During the celebration, players partake in short quests revolving around the chosen guardian for the year and earn appropriately themed gifts. Each of the major cities in Eorzea is also decked out with decorations to commemorate the event. While The Twelve pick a god to be honored for the year in Eorzea, an animal is chosen from a pantheon in the Far East. That year's guardian animal is said to bring good luck and ward off evil from the lands.
The History of Heavensturn
- 2011 - The first Heavensturn was the Year of the Rabbit and began the tradition of rewarding players with the totem animal's likeness on a kabuto. Players were rewarded with the Usagi Kabuto and Fish Stock.
- 2012 - The second Heavensturn saw the great dragon become the totem animal. Players were tasked with rescuing Father Drost and recovering the Heart of Winter. For successfully completing the adventure, players were rewarded with a number of differently colored dragon kabutos, achievements, and the "Winter Wyrm" title.
- 2014 - After skipping 2013, Heavensturn returned in 2014 for the Year of the Horse. That year's theme focused on a legendary debate of the use of chocobos versus horses. In addition to the horse-themed kabutos, players were able to grab those respective to dragons, snakes, and rabbits as well as the "Horsing About" achievement.
- 2015 - The Year of the Ram brought about ovine hardware and an adorable minion to be summoned, the Tender Lamb. Players were also able to obtain various furnishings, Hitsuju Kabuto, and the "On the Lamb" achievement.
- 2016 - While the Twelve were more concerned about celestial matters, the delegation from the Far East chose the monkey as 2016's totem animal. This was the year where rewards began to become more standardized with new helms, furnishings, and a single achievement.
- 2017 - Not to be confused with the ever-popular chocobo, 2017 was the year of the Rooster. Despite this technical difference, the favored yellow bird of Eorzea dominated the festival and adorned the reward kabuto and furnishing.
- 2018 - 2018's Heavensturn saw a battle in the Year of the Dog between the Rabid Wives pirates and the delegates from the Far East. For bringing an end to the conflict, players were rewarded with the customary kabuto, a furnishing item, and an achievement.
- 2019 - The Year of the Boar had the Warrior of Light yet again aiding the delegates from the Far East in spreading word of their version of Heavensturn to the people of Eorzea.
- 2020 - The rat proved to be a controversial totem figure for the people of Eorzea. In order to clear the name of the noble rodent and eliminate misconceptions, the Far East delegates turned to the only person they could count on, the Warrior of Light.
- 2021 - Year after year, the bull-headed denizens of Eorzea fail to embrace the traditions of the Far East. But, fortunately for adventurers, this only provided ample opportunity to claim the rewards for the Year of the Bull.
Heavensturn in 2022
With 2022 having finally arrived, Heavensturn has come yet again to Final Fantasy 14. This year saw the ferocious tiger honored as the totem animal. Players eager to participate in the festivities should head to Limsa Lominsa to speak with the torya bugyo. Like years past, players will be given a short and low-level quest to complete in order to spread the word about the festival. Completing the quest and accompanying fate will reward them with tiger-themed kabutos, a white tiger screen, and the "Feline Fun" achievement.
While Heavensturn may have taken a few years to figure out its formula, it's one that has provided a brief yet enjoyable distraction for Final Fantasy 14 players. This year is no different, and for those weary of the grind, the event provides some respite in their MMO of choice.
Final Fantasy 14 is available now for PC, PS4, and PS5.