Final Fantasy XIV: Evercold moves to February 23 with early access on February 19

Final Fantasy XIV: Evercold will launch on February 23, 2027, moving the expansion beyond its earlier January window. Square Enix has scheduled early access for February 19, with pre-orders opening on November 4. The official date announcement gives the early-access start as 1 a.m. Pacific Standard Time.

The expansion is planned for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Windows and Mac, with a Steam PC edition also listed. The revised calendar applies to the expansion; it does not interrupt access to the existing game.

New jobs and a different way to fight

Evercold takes the Warrior of Light to the icebound Fourth reflection, where the threat called the Solstice forms the backdrop to the story. Its landscape includes settlements aboard enormous realmships associated with earth, wind, water and fire. The level cap rises from 100 to 110.

The two announced jobs are Bastion, a tank using a Skyltborg, and Zephyr, a physical ranged damage dealer using a crossbow. Zephyr also fights with support from an avian familiar named Nephele. Both jobs are designed for the new Evolved combat mode.

For existing jobs, the expansion overview distinguishes Reborn mode, based on the current combat system, from Evolved mode, which is intended to give jobs a stronger individual identity. Limited jobs are excluded from this division, and the two new jobs cannot be switched back to Reborn. That is a significant limitation for players choosing which combat model they intend to use.

Raid choices and progression

A new Fierce setting sits between Normal and Savage for eight-player raids. The announced raid projects include Beyond the Lifestream and the EVANGELION: Ghosts of Desire alliance-raid collaboration. Square Enix also plans harder eight-player encounters based on selected alliance-raid bosses.

Seasons will restructure reward and item-level progression, with different gear paths for everyday adventuring and high-end battles. Some Evercold areas will adjust content for character level, including field enemies, applicable duties and certain rewards. The main scenario will also allow a choice in the order of some areas after a specified point.

These systems should not all be read as day-one promises. Square Enix explicitly says some announced content will arrive through later patches. It also identifies broad combat-system changes, PvP, Duty Support and housing updates as changes players can receive without purchasing the expansion itself.

The Collector’s Box does not contain the game

The physical Collector’s Box includes a Reaper figure, metal keychain, Kottr plush, tapestry and illustrated presentation box. It does not include Evercold, in-game bonuses or pre-order benefits. The Collector’s Bundle combines that box with a Windows or Mac Digital Collector’s Edition code; console and Steam players must obtain the game separately for their platform.

Digital Collector’s Edition bonuses include a mount, emote and Bastion weapon. Pre-order benefits are separate again: early access, a Kottr minion and Halone’s Earring. The earring provides a 30 percent experience bonus from defeating enemies through level 100, helping with preparation for the new expansion rather than accelerating the entire new 100–110 progression.