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

[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.