lately, Final Fantasy XIV is facing intense criticism from its enthusiasts due to a surge in negative reviews being posted on Steam regarding the game’s popular MMORPG.
It’s because fans are displeased with Square Enix over their decision to close down a widely-appreciated mod for the game titled Mare Synchronos on personal computers.
The Mare Synchronos mod enables gamers to view other players’ modifications within the game, regardless if they are cosmetic or gameplay-related. To illustrate, this mod could let you observe a player wearing a distinctive armor set and executing abilities that aren’t part of the standard edition in Final Fantasy XIV.
When Square Enix learned about this mod, they issued a legal order, known as a cease and desist, asking the mod’s creator, referred to as “Her Royal Fluffness”, to stop operating Mare Synchronos.
The mod creator complied with the demands and announced the mod’s shutdown on August 21, 2025.
Final Fantasy XIV Mod, Mare Synchronos, is shutting down from r/ffxiv
2025’s gaming community expressed immense frustration and dissatisfaction upon hearing the news, resulting in more than 400 unfavorable reviews being posted to the game’s Steam page within a span of just 48 hours between August 21st and 23rd.
Although this figure may not encompass the entire fan base, it’s important to note that the game maintains generally favorable reviews on Steam. However, it’s significant to mention that this response is one of the largest criticisms Final Fantasy XIV has encountered in quite some time.
It seems like this game has been receiving a significant amount of criticism similar to the level surrounding the challenging debut of Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker in 2021. Back then, players were expressing concerns over excessively long wait times and server problems that were severe enough for Square Enix to temporarily halt sales to address them.
Final Fantasy 14 Is Being Review Bombed On Steam Following Mare Synchronos Take Down from r/gaming
On previous occasions, Square Enix has taken action against PC modifications, such as the one they closed earlier this year which facilitated stalking-like behavior.
As an analyst, I would rephrase that statement as follows: Beyond the standard restrictions, Square Enix prohibited modifications that expanded the camera beyond its normal range, damage meters, and hitbox-revealing mods. Some players utilized these unconventional tools to gain an unfair advantage during World First Races by defeating Ultimate Raid bosses illicitly.
In similar fashion to previous instances, the halt of the Mare Synchronos mod has incited discussions among its followers, with some expressing support while others voice their opposition.
Supporters of the mod are critical of Square Enix, arguing in Steam reviews that the company is unjustified in deleting cosmetic mods which have no impact on the game, and they believe Square Enix would be better off investing their time improving the main game instead.
In the meantime, supporters argue that Square Enix acted wisely in banning the mod. According to a user who tested the game’s alpha version (whose findings were posted on Reddit), this modification has been causing significant problems with Final Fantasy XIV’s server system.
The errors flagged the issue, causing Square Enix to decide to close the mod in order to protect the game’s well-being.
To mod or not to mod
As an enthusiast of PC modifications such as the vast collection of mods available for Monster Hunter World: Iceborne or the rapidly growing archive of Clair Obsur: Expedition 33 mods, my perspective on this matter is somewhat varied.
On the other side, I support keeping cosmetic modifications in games since they don’t disrupt gameplay mechanics and aren’t considered cheating; instead, they simply add a fresh visual touch to the game.
As far as modifications don’t lead to cheating or violate the rules of the game, I believe they should be encouraged and their creators allowed to showcase their creative talents. This way, these mods can breathe new life into the game and draw even more players to it.
In a different scenario, if it’s true that the Mare Synchronos mod is causing server problems, I believe it might be a regrettable yet essential step to eliminate it. This could be due to the potential long-term negative impact it may have on the overall game experience.
It’s unfortunate that the drama surrounding it has eclipsed the good news lately about Final Fantasy XIV.
On August 14, the MMORPG rolled out its significant 7.3 update, and at Gamescom 2025, they unveiled plans for a collaboration event with Monster Hunter Wilds.
As the main tale of Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail concludes with the release of patch 7.3, it won’t be long until Square Enix prepares for the game’s upcoming expansion.
Although I found Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail’s storyline underwhelming, I must admit that I appreciated the introduction of the new Jobs, the challenging new bosses, and the clever nods to Final Fantasy IX that the game offered.
I’m eagerly anticipating Square Enix’s next expansion for Final Fantasy XIV; if it captivates me enough to divert my attention from World of Warcraft and its upcoming expansion, WoW: Midnight, then I’ll be drawn back into the realm of Eorzea.
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2025-08-25 16:40