As Square Enix prepares for the return of its annual Hatching Tide event in Final Fantasy 14, players have taken to social media to voice their dissatisfaction with the single limited-time reward available – a parasol.
This springtime event has been a staple for fans, typically featuring a variety of limited-time items ranging from cosmetics to mounts. However, this year’s offering is rather underwhelming, featuring only one item: a chocobo-themed golden parasol. While some might find this reward acceptable, veterans of the Hatching Tide events are less than thrilled.
A recent announcement shared online illustrates this sentiment, with devoted players expressing their displeasure in the comments. One user queried whether Square Enix was joking about the reward, stating, “You’re serious, a parasol?” Another fan criticized the choice, particularly as other, potentially more appealing items are available for purchase through the Mog Station. “And here’s where the dying game makes all good rewards cash shop only, and you get a yellow umbrella,” they lamented.
It's cloudy with a chance of floating eggs this Hatching-tide!
Read on for a preview of what to egg-spect as this colorful springtime festival returns to Eorzea! 🐣 https://t.co/YnzRUsKWPc pic.twitter.com/7MiwXlCx9S
— FINAL FANTASY XIV (@FF_XIV_EN) April 7, 2025
In addition, players are discussing their feelings on a Reddit thread focused on this year’s Hatching Tide. One fan humorously indicated that the reward feels more like something obtained through a seasonal event. Below that, another user cataloged all the rewards from previous years since 2014, suggesting that the offerings for 2025 fall short. Notable past rewards have included a mount in 2017 and a mix of minions, emotes, and housing items in 2022.
As a dedicated Final Fantasy 14 fan myself, I have to admit I’m disappointed with this year’s reward. The parasol, while undeniably charming, feels lackluster compared to past events. It seems highly unlikely that Square Enix can top the spring reward from 2024, which featured Peatie, the goobbue maiden. At this rate, I would welcome any other kind of minion, mount, or item beyond just the parasol.
Final Fantasy 14’s Yoshi-P was unsure about referencing Final Fantasy 9 so heavily because it’s a “masterpiece, and everyone has a strong emotional attachment to it”