Could've sworn XIV 1.0 was XI. My apologies then! Ignore what I said and continue.
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^This.
And more than that, each FF game is unique with it's own independent storyline, world and cast of characters, only sharing certain reoccuring elements like magic spell names, Job classes, creatures and monsters, story themes and concepts, a character named Cid, etc etc.
FFXIV does reference all the games that came before (as well as those that have come after! ;)) so for those that have played the other FF titles it's a real treat to pick up the sometimes clever and obscure fanservice references, but you do not need to know anything abotu any of the other FF games to appreciate FFXIV's story, as Linay above mentioned. :)
FFXI raid with gear drops being the AF armor from FFXI, yes please.
It would be the only time I every made an effort to gear up and participate in the raid immediately upon release.
That being said, I wouldn't be opposed to a FFXIV raid to explore more of that lore, so how about both? :D
Baldesion Arsenal already scratches that itch XI, giving off huge vibes, the biggest alliance style raid in the game, and offering some fun bosses with amazing music. It's a pain to get into but my god is it a good time reaching the end.
I would much rather have XIV focus on it's own lore instead of piggybacking off other stories. If they want to alternate and give us a new raid series based on XIV's world, I'd be happy for that to counteract the collabs.
To those who enjoy the Ivalice and Nier raids I'm happy for you, truly am. But there comes to a point where years on we'll look back at XIV and the ones that will really stick out to you are the ones like Weeping City and Dun Scaith, mainly due to it keeping the story grounded in it's own world and offering some fantastic set pieces exclusive to XIV.
Like going through Rabanaste and the Factory are cool, but then I look back and remember going through the ruins of Mhach after being thrown off a waterfall,entering Dun Scaith being singed by Ferdiad, running across the woodwork and seeing the pitch black night sky mixed with the purple glow many of the crystals give off due to the voidsent. Then that AMAZING view when you reach the top of the tower with the Moon shining over the platform.
I'm going to remember that more then a zone from Ivalice and Automata from an aethestic standpoint since it's more crafted to XIV. I will say the fights personally hit a high point with Orbonne and TG Cid being a blast, but give me a world like Dun Scaith or something the XIV narrative team can make and I'm all down for it.