Square Enix released a five-minute extended trailer for Final Fantasy XIV’s DLC 8.0, Evercold, and also confirmed that the Nintendo Switch 2 version will arrive on August 4th. Pre-orders are now open. The DLC itself is scheduled for release in January 2027, and at Fan Fest in Berlin, the developers did not limit themselves to just one date – they showed off a new tank, two crossovers, and hinted at a plot twist that will upend the familiar world of Eorzea.
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Final Fantasy 14 Evercold Release Date and Nintendo Switch 2 Port
Evercold will release in January 2027 on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series, PC (Steam), and, of course, Switch 2. The Nintendo console will receive the game on August 4th, 2026 – this is a full port, not a cloud version. According to the developers, PS4 support will last until patch 8.3, or about two more years—then the older console will finally give way to new platforms. As for the Switch 2, the game ran at 30 FPS in the Fan Fest demo, with the ability to control the cursor via Joy-Con, similar to a mouse. The frame rate was not officially confirmed, but it appears this is a compromise for the sake of portability and portability.
New Bastion Tank Class in FFXIV Evercold DLC
Bastion Class Gameplay Features and Abilities
Evercold’s main innovation is the Bastion class, a tank class never before seen in the game. Unlike other shield-bearing units, Bastion does not rely on previous games in the series—it is a completely fresh design. It wields two Skyltborg shields, which transform into artillery mounts when needed. Its abilities include a magical barrier, long-range chargeable shots, combo chains, and healing buffs for allies. The developers promise that playing as Bastion will require unconventional thinking—it is crucial to be able to switch between defense and attack. A second class, a ranged DPS, will be announced at Tokyo Fan Fest in October, so fans of ranged combat will have to wait.
Godless Realms Saga Storyline and The Fourth World Details
Locations and Plot Details for Patch 8.0
Evercold launches the Godless Realms Saga arc, and the action shifts to the world of The Fourth—an icy dimension where the gods have long since abandoned their followers. The plot bridge to this turning point will be laid in Patch 7.5, which will be released on April 28. Without playing it, it will likely be difficult to understand why Light and Darkness have been replaced by a universal cold. Three new locations await us in The Fourth: Naglfar (Water Ship), Hringhorni (Fire Ship), and the city of Fargarth. It seems the developers have decided to radically change the atmosphere, and this is not just another world-ending adventure—there is plenty of scope for both story and gameplay.
FFXIV Crossovers with Evangelion and Final Fantasy VII Remake
Fan Fest also featured some crossovers. The first is the 24-player Ghosts of Desire raid featuring Evangelion: mechs, angels, and psychological torment in the best anime traditions. The second is Beyond the Lifestream, a collaboration with the Final Fantasy VII Remake Trilogy project. Details are still vague, but judging by the trailer, we will be meeting characters from Midgar—perhaps even a battle with Sephiroth himself. This homage to two iconic universes is intriguing, to say the least.
FFXIV on Switch 2 Subscription Pricing and Player Discounts
The Switch 2 version requires a separate monthly subscription—it is not included in the overall FFXIV account and does not require Nintendo Switch Online. If you already have an active subscription on another platform, you will receive a 50% discount on the Switch 2 subscription fee. Importantly, the new port offers a free trial of about a month after launch, so you can safely evaluate how the game plays on the hybrid console before paying full price. This is a smart move by Square Enix, given that many were wary of paying double for a subscription.
