Square Enix has shared a major update on Final Fantasy XIV Evercold, revealing the first new job, a crossover raid based on the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy, and confirming that the MMORPG will launch on Nintendo Switch 2 on August 4, 2026. The announcements were made during the keynote presentation at Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival 2026 in Berlin, with the Evercold expansion still on track for release in January 2027.
Producer and Director Naoki Yoshida introduced Bastion as the first new job arriving with Evercold. Designed as a main tank, Bastion fights using a pair of greatshields known as skyltborg, and a new trailer showcased the job in action. Square Enix also released an extended teaser trailer offering another look at the Fourth, the expansion’s new setting, and the opening chapter of the Godless Realms Saga.
Evercold will also introduce several gameplay changes aimed at giving players more flexibility. The main scenario will feature a revised structure that allows players to choose which areas to tackle first, while a new Auto Content Balancing system will adjust dungeon difficulty and enemy levels based on player progression. Character Action Skins will let players customise the animations used for general actions such as Teleport and Warp, with additional options planned for future updates. Character creation is also receiving expanded customisation, including a colour picker, more facial adjustment options, and new cosmetic features such as eye shadow.
Square Enix also shared another look at the EVANGELION: Ghosts of Desire alliance raid series, first announced in April. Yoshida confirmed that director and animator Mahiro Maeda has joined the project as a special guest artist and designer.
Another highlight from the presentation was the reveal of Beyond the Lifestream, a new 8-player raid series inspired by the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy. Yoshida was joined on stage by Final Fantasy VII Remake series director Naoki Hamaguchi, with both development teams confirming they are working together on the crossover.
The Nintendo Switch 2 version of Final Fantasy XIV will launch on August 4, 2026, with pre-orders available now through the Nintendo eShop. Square Enix said Switch 2 players will receive an approximately one-month free subscription period to help support a stable launch. The Free Trial, Starter Edition, Complete Edition, and Dawntrail will all be available on the platform at release.
Additional content planned for Evercold includes three new locations within the Icebound Realm of the Fourth: Naglfar, the Realmship of Water, Hringhorni, the Realmship of Fire, and the city of Fargarth. Patch 8.1 will overhaul the Chocobo Companion system, including changes to chocobo raising and the ability to summon companions inside dungeons.
Elsewhere, Patch 7.5x will expand same-region matchmaking across entire physical data centres, beginning in Japan in mid-October before rolling out to North America and Europe. A new Final Fantasy VII-themed Gold Saucer mini-game, Keybound Brawler, will also arrive on October 28, 2026, supporting up to 4 players.
Square Enix also revealed the Evercold Collector’s Bundle, which includes a Special Art Box, Reaper figure, Ethos Metal Keychain, Köttr Mini Plush, and Tapestry of the Fourth. The included digital Collector’s Edition comes with the Crystal Skyltborg Bastion weapon, Vallhallar Odin mount, and Entreat Crystal emote, with pre-order details to be announced at a later date.
Fan Festival 2026 in Berlin continues through July 26, while Patch 7.55 launches on July 28, bringing new Occult Crescent content, Phantom Weapons, Inconceivably Further Hildibrand Adventures, and Allied Society quests.
