Choose DC Universe™ Online
Choose DC Universe™ Online if you want an Action, Adventure, and Free To Play experience. On Steam, it's free to play, so the barrier to trying it is zero. 12,568 Steam reviews back the pick.
DC Universe™ Online vs FINAL FANTASY XIV Online
DC Universe™ Online and FINAL FANTASY XIV Online both land in Massively Multiplayer, RPG on Steam, which is why they keep getting compared. The comparison below is built from each game's Steam metadata — release year, genres, categories, Steam Deck status, price, and review score — refreshed daily by imho.run's scraper. Headline differences: Both share Massively Multiplayer, RPG on Steam. DC Universe™ Online (2011) is 3 years older than FINAL FANTASY XIV Online (2014). FINAL FANTASY XIV Online scores higher on Steam reviews (86.8% positive) than DC Universe™ Online (79.3% positive). No login or purchase needed — scroll for the full table, the verdict FAQ, and links to ranked similar games for both titles.
Which should you pick?
Choose FINAL FANTASY XIV Online
Choose FINAL FANTASY XIV Online if you want the Adjustable Text Size, Custom Volume Controls, and Stereo Sound side of the pairing. On Steam, it carries the stronger Steam consensus at 86.8% positive across 60,003 reviews.
Both DC Universe™ Online and FINAL FANTASY XIV Online sit in Massively Multiplayer and RPG on Steam and both list Multi-player, MMO, and Online PvP, so either pick lands in the same broad neighborhood. Use the side-by-side table for the feature view, or follow the "Games like" links below to see ranked alternatives for either title.
Side-by-side comparison
 DC Universe™ Online |  FINAL FANTASY XIV Online | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2011 | 2014 |
| Genres | Action, Adventure, Massively Multiplayer, RPG, Free To Play | Massively Multiplayer, RPG |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Unsupported | Deck Playable |
| Price | Free to play | 19.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 79.3% positive (12,568 reviews) | 86.8% positive (60,003 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player, Cross-Platform Multiplayer, Online Co-op | Multi-player, Cross-Platform Multiplayer, Online Co-op |
| Developers | Dimensional Ink Games | Square Enix |
Side by side
- Both share Massively Multiplayer, RPG on Steam.
- DC Universe™ Online (2011) is 3 years older than FINAL FANTASY XIV Online (2014).
- FINAL FANTASY XIV Online scores higher on Steam reviews (86.8% positive) than DC Universe™ Online (79.3% positive).
- DC Universe™ Online is free; FINAL FANTASY XIV Online is paid (19.99 USD).
- Both support cooperative play.
- Steam Deck: DC Universe™ Online is Deck Unsupported, FINAL FANTASY XIV Online is Deck Playable.
DC Universe™ Online vs FINAL FANTASY XIV Online — FAQ
- Which is better, DC Universe™ Online or FINAL FANTASY XIV Online?
- On Steam reviews FINAL FANTASY XIV Online scores higher (86.8% positive) than DC Universe™ Online (79.3% positive). Both have enough reviews to trust the signal, so for players using reviews alone, FINAL FANTASY XIV Online is the safer pick. Genre fit still matters — check the side-by-side table for the categories each game lands in.
- Should I play DC Universe™ Online or FINAL FANTASY XIV Online first?
- If you want chronology, DC Universe™ Online (2011) came out before FINAL FANTASY XIV Online (2014). If neither is a sequel to the other, order doesn't really matter — start with whichever fits your current mood, since both share enough on Steam to make either a reasonable opener.
- Are DC Universe™ Online and FINAL FANTASY XIV Online similar?
- They overlap on Massively Multiplayer, RPG on Steam, so the catalogue groups them together — but "similar" depends on the specific mechanics. Use the genre + category rows above to decide whether the overlap matches what drew you to the one you've already played.
- Do both DC Universe™ Online and FINAL FANTASY XIV Online have co-op?
- Yes — both list a co-op category on Steam. Specifics differ: DC Universe™ Online ships Online Co-op, Co-op; FINAL FANTASY XIV Online ships Online Co-op, Co-op.
- Is DC Universe™ Online free?
- Yes — DC Universe™ Online is a free-to-play Steam title. FINAL FANTASY XIV Online is paid (19.99 USD).