To Steam, or not to Steam.. that is the question

[TattersailNightwish]

Good evening everyone.

Strange question. I myself installed FFXIV and have been playing via the Steam client for years. Truth be told I'd rather I hadn't, for.. reasons.

Anyway, the daughter of a friend of mine wants to play. She was asking me advice and I told her that if you purchase through Steam, there is no going back.
I thought the process is difficult/confusing enough (ever watch Asmongold's video on how hard it was to get the accounts set up, game installed and playing?)

Curious if any of you have any strong opinions either way, Steam or not. Any regrets over using via Steam?

It looks easier to go "native". Create an account at SE, buy the game, add the game to the account you created's subscriptions tab, and play.

Also - aren't there kind of severe limitations to the FREE option? Like can't /tell, trade, us the MB, stuff like that?

[Mosha]

Only got to do the set-up once, and then you got the better version overall.

[MilkieTea]

Honestly go with the regular version. the steam version is beholden to steam actually *being able to verify information*.

[Kranel_San]

I have most of my games on Steam, but I rather have MMOs out of it. Just a personal preference to not have all games in one basket

[TattersailNightwish]

Only got to do the set-up once, and then you got the better version overall.

What do you mean?

[Jeeqbit]

There is no reason to be restricted by Steam. Buying games away from a platform like Steam protects you. If they wanted to, they could delete your entire library or they could go bankrupt. The Steam version has had a lot of problems recently.

[Rongway]

The one case in which I would recommend the Steam version for someone is if the monthly sub is significantly less expensive in their local currency on Steam than going directly through JP/NA/EU SquareEnix. If this is the case in your locality, by all means, go through Steam and save some money. If this is not the case, stay away from Steam.

[Midareyukki]

What do you mean?

TLDR once you buy it through Steam, your account is locked to the Steam version. Meaning you can't get the game off of Square Enix directly on PC, only play it through Steam and Steam alone. You can play it on a PS console apparently.

Also, if Steam isn't launched prior, you cannot access the game.

A fluke and set of restrictions that allegedly exist because of Steam's contract with Square Enix.

That said

The one case in which I would recommend the Steam version for someone is if the monthly sub is less expansive in their local currency on Steam than going directly through JP/NA/EU SquareEnix. If this is the case in your locality, by all means, go through Steam and save some money. If this is not the case, stay away from Steam.

this.

I find Steam to at least be quicker and mindless for when you want to renew your subscription, and it works for foreign money than the Euro\Pound\US Dollar\Yen.

[Flaws]

I think it comes down to whether the person in question cares about having the game on Steam, with the tracked hours, screenshots on their profile and all the other Steam community stuff. I personally like it so I got it on Steam but if not then why bother I guess?

[hagare]

I don't put all my eggs in one basket.
So native I go lol