The nextFinal Fantasy XIVpatch will continue the long-running and thrilling story ofDawntrail, which has the protagonist and their companions exploring a new part of the world and unraveling political intrigue. Patch 7.25 will add more content in theSeekers of Eternitystoryline, including theOccult Crescent field operationsthat will introduce new Phantom Jobs and relic weapons and unveil more of the lore and history of the MMO’s rich background.
But I don’t care about any of that. There’s something else coming in patch 7.25 that makes all the other awesome content pale in comparison. The most exciting part ofFFXIVPatch 7.25 is a story that’s been brewing sinceA Realm Reborn:thecontinuation of the Adventures of Hildibrand.
Why FFXIV Fans Shouldn’t Sleep On Hildibrand’s Hilarious Hooliganisms
Hildy And Co. Crash Land In The New World
Posting to the official Facebook page ofFinal Fantasy XIV,Square Enix has confirmed thatHildibrand will be returning with another line of quests in the May 27 patch. The Facebook page invites players to:
“Come along for the ride with Eorzea’s most manliest gentleman detective and his ever-faithful sidekick. Tell us, do you like your eggs… hardiboiled?”
For the uninitiated, this comment may sound completely unhinged and ridiculous. Those who have been keeping up with the perfect gentleman with the winning smile, Hildibrand Manderville, will know that it is, in fact,absolutely unhinged and ridiculous.
Hildibrand’s adventures began way back in 2013, as part of Patch 2.1 during theA Realm Rebornstory arc. The first quests introduced Hildibrand Manderville—full name Hildibrand Helidor Maximilian Manderville—as amuscular “inspector extraordinaire” who believes himself (erroneously) to be a legendary Hero of Light.He lives his life by a gentleman’s code, traveling the world and helping those in need, but his well-meaning gestures often end with him stuck inLooney Tunes-esque predicaments.
The quests and stories go way too far in the best possible way,diving gleefully into the realm of the ridiculous and relying on visual gags and perfect comedic timing.The character has gone through a lot in his 12 years of adventuring, including getting abducted (several times), cloned, flung into the stratosphere (by his own father), and suplexed into the ground (also by his own father)—to name just a few misadventures.
Completing the quests grants players various rewards, including Manderville weapons that cannot be acquired otherwise and emotes recreating the amazing Manderville dance. But really,doing these quests is a reward of its ownas the story and interactions often lead to laugh-out-loud moments of silliness.
Hildibrand’s Adventures Continue In Patch 7.25
Embark On The Inconceivably Further Hildibrand Adventures
Throughout the rest of the MMO’s expansions,Hildibrand quests have become increasingly outlandish, with storylines that have Hildy and his companions take down an invading horde of well-dressed zombies, stop a phantom thief, butt heads with Greg—I mean, Gilgamesh—and help a lost alien find his way back to his friend.Subsequent expansions afterA Realm Rebornhave also expanded Hildibrand’s story, in the form of Further (Heavensward), Even Further (Stormblood), Somehow Further (Endwalker), and Inconceivably Further (Dawntrail) Hildibrand Adventures.
Each quest has Hildibrand using hisbrilliant deductive skills to resolve the conflict, by which I meanhe bumbles his way through anything he can’t flex his copious pecs at.The muscular oaf often finds himself in precarious situations, with his well-tailored suit torn to shreds, or sticking out of the ground with his legs up in the air. But what Hildy lacks in brain, he makes up with in brawn and a kind heart that reveals itself in a genuine desire to help everyone he comes into contact with.
Hildy’s quests lead to interactions with various people around the world, but he’s joined by a regular cast of characters that are just as silly as the large man:the trigger-happy and loyal Miqo’te Nashu Mhakaracca,and Hildy’s impressive parents, Julyan and Godbert Manderville—the latter of which manages to spend even more time with even fewer clothes on than his son.
Patch 7.25 continues Hildibrand’sadventures through theDawntrailexpansion, and it appears that these fun quests, like the rest of the expansion, will draw inspiration from Western culture. The “hardiboiled egg” quip in the announcement and Hildy’s dapper hat and grizzled detective trench coat suggest that the lovable gentleman detective and his trusty sidekick Nashu may be going through their Film Noir era when they continue theInconceivably Further Hildibrand Adventures.
That is, if Nashu can even find the Inspector, who seems to have gone mysteriously missing. Whatever shenanigans Hildy and co. get up to in the May 26 patch toFinal Fantasy XIV,you can bet that they’ll be over-the-top and hilarious.
