The fourth expansion to the cross-platform Final Fantasy XI is set 20 years in the past, before the cataclysmic Crystal War permanently altered the landscape of Vanadiel. Players will visit familiar areas of Vanadiel with a new look, and actions by characters within these regions can affect events in the future. A total of 30 new areas are available to explore, a mixture of locales past and present, with an assortment of quests to undertake relating to the war effort.

New jobs include the dancer and scholar. Dancers use rhythmic moves on the front lines to weaken enemies, heal party members, and unleash powerful magic by performing dances, steps, and flourishes. Scholars derive their power from knowledge, using grimoires to channel dark, elemental, enhancement, and healing magic. As expected, the majority of content in Wings of the Goddess is designed for end-game characters.