While Final Fantasy XIV has plenty of reasons to love it, one that consistently shines as a a high point is the game’s lore and backstory. Despite FFXIV essentially being a Final Fantasy franchise theme park that mashes elements of many of the previous games together, it still manages to have some of the most unique lore of any game in the series. And thanks to the release of "Encyclopaedia Eorzea III - The World of FINAL FANTASY XIV", now fans can dive into this world even more.
Volume three of the Encyclopaedia Eorzea was released on Dec. 19, and is currently available on the official Square Enix store, Amazon, and in some physical locations. Pre-orders for the book seem to have shipped promptly, and many new owners were showing off their volumes in the Twitter/X comments. It retails for $49.99, with regional pricing. The book's description says that it offers "an astonishing amount of information covering the Shadowbringers and Endwalker expansions." It goes on to say that this version of the ongoing series "brings readers further into the realms of the global hit video game.”
As mentioned, this edition of the lore book series focuses on Shadowbringers and Endwalker, and as a bonus includes an exclusive item code for an in-game Wind-up Fourchenault minion.
From the previews, there also seems to be some expanded info on many of player’s favorite NPCs, including Ryne and Gaia, and all of The Ancients, including Emet-Selch and Hythlodaeus. There’s also deep dives into both The World Undsundered and The First, which really helps expand and cap-off the Hydaelyn storyline which has consumed Final Fantasy XIV for the last decade.
While the release date might put this book out of reach of some more prompt holiday shoppers, this could make an ideal gift for any FFXIV fan. And regardless, any snippet of lore and story during the long winter before the release of Dawntrail is greatly appreciated.
