Unpopular opinion on G'raha Tia (spoilers)

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Originally Posted by jameseoakes

The Scions were a professional group, it's what made them interesting. I don't really think of most of them as friends to my player character I just don't feel affection for them and get on much better with the ones where the relationship is built on professional respect something absent from most of the cast now

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I understand that the game allows and encourages some level of head canon, but after a certain point you're just playing an entirely different story to the rest of us.
Whilst you may only see them as coworkers, the game clearly positions them as your character's close friends.

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Originally Posted by MagicPeanut

There can be a place for both serious/heavy moments in the story while also allowing for lighthearted or even fanservice-y scenes to break them up and give the player some relief. A story can't be enjoyable if there's just one singular tone throughout the whole way through. That's something I've always loved about the FF series in general, in that they incorporate negative and positive tonal shifts very well.

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You are correct. However Endwalker was anything but well-paced or balanced in those respects. The Uber Eats/Burger scene, Ameliance playing Fairy Godmother and Cinderella-ing her kids outfits, the Loporrits, the second visit to Sharlayan – these things took so much away from the action and when paired with a cast that’s as poorly developed as the Scions there was no way it was going to work out. No other Final Fantasy game was as bad at this sort of balancing as Endwalker was – and before anyone makes the mistake of trying to cite FFIX as an example I will remind everyone that most if not all the humour in that game was both appropriate for that world’s setting, and actually served to accentuate the differences between cast members rather than reduce their uniqueness further. #

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Originally Posted by MagicPeanut

There also wasn't all that much fanservice for EW at all, imo. Or rather, it was balanced? Either way, you're kind of exaggerating. You make it seem like it was in our face in every cutscene when that isn't the case at all. They can't just make the story for one specific type of player. We all have varying interests when it comes to the MSQ and it's, quite frankly, selfish to say it should basically be cutout and stuck elsewhere. There are things I didn't particularly enjoy the whole MSQ through, but I wouldn't suggest removing them out because I'm aware that others actually like it. (I'm not that crazy about Y'shtola for one, but I know others really like her. Plus, she can be interesting and funny at times, so I let it slide.)

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See the above paragraph I wrote. This expansion was supposed to be about the end of the world, and instead it was oversaturated with elements that had no place being as prominent as they were. Their treatment of this cast especially G’raha Tia, whose character arc regressed, made it an unpalatable experience for no small amount of people. A party full of scholars, all of which are ideologically homogenized, agreeing with each other on pretty much everything, with hardly anything between them to tell them apart. When the most prominent and expensive cutscenes like Estinien and his boot as well the burgers and tea swirling are taking up so much development time and costs, I can and will call it out at every opportunity.

The game would have been better without the slice of life interactions. This expansion more than any other should have been of the highest tension and full of thrills from start to finish. G’raha Tia and his burgers weren’t conducive to this. What was conducive to this was when he briefly reverted to the Crystal Exarch in Thavnair. But beyond that? Nothing of interest occurred with his character other than the scenes that took me out of FFXIV’s world and into the real one.

Stuff like the Hildibrand scenes were away from MSQ and battle content for a reason, and back in ARR people even criticized that quest where we had to figure out who was a Sylph and who wasn’t because players at the time considered the quest both a nuisance and a distraction from the action at the time. Now in Endwalker we’re seeing Hildibrand like scenes in the MSQ and he’s taken over the relic. It’s nothing short of unbelievable and feels like a direct betrayal of the elements that helped me find a place in FFXIV’s world, and now with those elements being downplayed to the degree they are it truly feels like the game shifted its target audience to an entirely different group of people.

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Originally Posted by MagicPeanut

Also, you're very presumptuous that all fans of a single character would all act the way you say. I enjoy characters with similar personalities to G'raha in other games or even anime, however to me he is very unique on his own and I don't see him as a pure list of tropes to latch on to. This goes for other characters that may be similar to him. I can acknowledge they're similar but I can still enjoy them to different extents based on the series they came from, quality of writing, style, character arc, etc. It's not all about just getting hot and bothered, lmao.

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I’ve seen how many people acted across a variety of fandoms. Yes, I guarantee you they’d get over it eventually if G’raha Tia died once a new character releases for them to set their sights on, or they move on to other games/TV shows. That’s the way of things. Given how strange some FFXIV fans have acted over the years when it comes to these characters with some even creating whole shrines at fanfests to Haurchefant, it’s in SE’s best interest to keep these sort of people in check rather than letting them run rampant, throwing their weight around to prolong a character’s stay in the story for far longer than is necesary.

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Originally Posted by LianaThorne

Actual question piggybacking off of the last line in this:

Is there some reason why masculine type characters (excluding Thancred and even he is kinda not necessarily what I mean) are hardly ever given a spotlight in the game? Like, do they think us as a playerbase will not be able to relate to a character built more masculine/bodybuilder type? I know we have Raubahn but like said already, he barely does anything. Also there seems to be a distinct lack of beards/facial hair amongst the main/secondary characters. Does Square just think we all want our men to look like teenagers forever or is facial hair really that hard to add to the game?

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It definitely feels like the game has been self-selecting for a certain subset of player lately and it has made it all the more harder to appeal to people outside that demographic, especially now that the WoW exodus boost has long since passed. Unfortunately these same players that have been catered to continuously try to shut down or downplay others requests when it comes to more masculine options for both our characters and the NPCs that populate FFXIV’s world.
I agree with you that Thancred isn’t exactly all that physically impressive, to date the race that has the best balance and least drawbacks for males is probably Au Ra. However, I’d ideally like to play a Highlander with a straight nose and visible eyebrows. Roegadyn weren’t designed with what people who actually like playing large races like, and are relatively bland compared to their equivalents in other MMORPGs.

FFXIV isn’t doing anything brave or groundbreaking by treating its men the way it does, by limiting their appearance options to making men like Magnai jokes for the other subset of the playerbase to ridicule. In any case, in the real world there’s no way I could ever get the people I talk to into this game with characters like G’raha Tia put in the spotlight and the lack of other leading men with the qualities they want to see – Thancred’s colorless and flat design doesn’t appeal to many people and Estinien no longer fulfils the high elf / warrior fantasy that he did prior to the mistake that was giving him that ponytail.

I’ll link my thread that deals more with this subject matter here.

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Originally Posted by Korbei

I don't know.. the Scions are entirely made up of overly serious characters and hypercapitalist Tataru.. Some levity in the group is probably necessary. It's nice to have someone eager to jump in the fray with you. He just wants to me the Robin to your Batman. He definitely struggles with boundaries but we all deal with people like that in our lives. Alphinaud behaves very similarly with Estinien. I feel like Aymeric is exactly the same. He is a borderline creep. Magnai is another. The game is full of characters like this. It's not a G'raha Tia thing.

It is worth remembering that G'raha's Exarch body is *ancient* and worn. The circumstances are dire. He intends to die for his cause. This had been weighing on him for a hundred years. The circumstances would definitely wear on the affable nature of his character, which existed in his younger CT quest self. To a lesser degree, but it's still there. Then suddenly you come along and you save the First and him while you're at it. He owes you everything, including his life and no one can convince him otherwise. He loves you.

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And I don’t love him. I do not consent to his advances or any of his other inappropriate behavior. When he starts acting like the way he does, it makes me want to uninstall. If his fans want scenes like that then put them inside quests and get them out of the MSQ. Same goes for Hildibrand and the mistake that was made in tying him to the relic when he should have remained side content with little rewards apart from emotes and the occasional glamour set.

The Scions, for reasons that have been explained by myself and others, have reached the point where the last thing I’d describe them as is a serious group. And they are not my friends. Friends don’t behave around each other the way G’raha Tia does, nor would I bother hanging out with anyone as self-centred as Y’shtola. If what they were trying to do was make us think we’re friends, then they failed the minute they had us go through Ultima Thule, whose writing I’ve already criticized at length across many threads so I won’t repeat myself here.

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Originally Posted by Iyrnthota

I understand that the game allows and encourages some level of head canon, but after a certain point you're just playing an entirely different story to the rest of us.
Whilst you may only see them as coworkers, the game clearly positions them as your character's close friends.

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I don't feel they're written that way at all, or if they are they are creepy forced friendships which make me deeply uncomfortable. Raha, Sthola and Alaise I think are the worst for this.

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Originally Posted by Kazhar

Like many players, XiRon forgot that Gosetsu is a MRoe, but other than that he's spot on.

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I had to look it up. I never knew Othardian Roegadyns were a thing. I always thought of him as a super burly Hyur.

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Originally Posted by jameseoakes

I don't feel they're written that way at all, or if they are they are creepy forced friendships which make me deeply uncomfortable. Raha, Sthola and Alaise I think are the worst for this.

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Far be it from me to deny one's interpretation of a story, but if I may be so bold, personally, I find your interpretation to be pretty f'ing weird.

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Originally Posted by jameseoakes

I don't feel they're written that way at all, or if they are they are creepy forced friendships which make me deeply uncomfortable. Raha, Sthola and Alaise I think are the worst for this.

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That is because you're denying reality. Plain and simple. Feel free to headcanon whatever you want, but denying the fact that the Scions are supposed to be our friends makes NO sense whatsoever. I would show some examples, but it's really no needed, the game is full of them.

I can't stand G'raha or the Scions.

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Originally Posted by Anura

That is because you're denying reality. Plain and simple. Feel free to headcanon whatever you want, but denying the fact that the Scions are supposed to be our friends makes NO sense whatsoever. I would show some examples, but it's really no needed, the game is full of them.

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When is Sthola more than a respected work colleague than a friend. I can't remember many scenes where she's been a actual friend to the player character

Endwalker spoilers below, but this whole thread's a spoiler thread so if you came this far and get upset it's on you tbh

Eh, you're not alone. I think that about most of the scions. Their stories just seem done. I was excited when the ending implied that we'd all go our separate ways, but then .1 patch later and here we are, bringing the boys back together again. I was SURE that Alphinaud was gonna die in Endwalker, too. I didn't want him to, but I was preparing for the possibility. That boy was throwing death flags out in the expansion trailers, and his story arc really peaked with post shb (5.3) and then fell back into weird self-doubt habits that just seemed like the writers didn't know how to proceed with him. When Zenos was egging us on to fight him, I was so sure he'd just murder Alphinaud to provoke us or something, but in the end nobody died, and then "Everybody" fake-died in a really predictable way only to come back like an hour later because GOD FORBID we get to even sit with loss for a minute.

The writers lack courage at this point. If they kill any scions off, I'll be genuinely shocked. You don't need to kill people off to have a good story, but it helps to feel like there are genuine stakes. I haven't felt that way in a long long long time in this story, so I've kinda checked out if I'm being honest.

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Originally Posted by Avoidy

That boy was throwing death flags out in the expansion trailers...but in the end nobody died, and then "Everybody" fake-died in a really predictable way.

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I haven't trusted an expansion trailer since the Shb one. The devs are good at misleading in those trailers and/or hyping things up to be way more than they end up being in the game.

Some of the responses I’ve seen basically boil down to “they’re your friends because the story and writers said so.”

That’s not good enough.

Characters like Y’shtola haven’t given many players a reason to care for her aside from the occasional “sassy” moment that more often than not comes at a male character’s expense and G’raha Tia’s reversion turned me and some others of his original fans against him.

It’s time for them to stop and reconsider what makes parties likeable and “friends” with each other in other games and why some people feel that the Scions are lacking in these respects.

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Originally Posted by aveyond-dreams

Some of the responses I’ve seen basically boil down to “they’re your friends because the story and writers said so.”

That’s not good enough.

Characters like Y’shtola haven’t given many players a reason to care for her aside from the occasional “sassy” moment that more often than not comes at a male character’s expense and G’raha Tia’s reversion turned me and some others of his original fans against him.

It’s time for them to stop and reconsider what makes parties likeable and “friends” with each other in other games and why some people feel that the Scions are lacking in these respects.

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It's not like the writers got on the bird app and announced it in a couple sentences, they've developed the relationships in the story over the course of thousands of hours of dialogue and actions.

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Originally Posted by Iyrnthota

It's not like the writers got on the bird app and announced it in a couple sentences, they've developed the relationships in the story over the course of thousands of hours of dialogue and actions.

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Games far shorter than this one have done a better job of making me like characters and build relationships within the party in far less time and dialogue. They need to do better, especially now that Reddit has published the news that Krile is set to play an active role in 7.0.

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Originally Posted by jameseoakes

When is Sthola more than a respected work colleague than a friend. I can't remember many scenes where she's been a actual friend to the player character

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Ok, Y'shtola is aloof. Do you want me to quote where you said "Scions" and not "Scion" or "Y'shtola"?

I personally love Graha! He is a good and kind person with a loving soul. The people that dislike him...some of the criticism may be valid but I think we all know why some people don't like him. I say live and let live. You go enjoy whatever waifu you want and I'll enjoy my new best friend Graha.

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Originally Posted by Iyrnthota

It's not like the writers got on the bird app and announced it in a couple sentences, they've developed the relationships in the story over the course of thousands of hours of dialogue and actions.

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And for quite a few of us this has failed provided relationships for quite a few of the scions that feel like deep meaningful friendships.

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Originally Posted by dustdjinn

I personally love Graha! He is a good and kind person with a loving soul. The people that dislike him...some of the criticism may be valid but I think we all know why some people don't like him. I say live and let live. You go enjoy whatever waifu you want and I'll enjoy my new best friend Graha.

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And what reason is that, pray tell? Now I'm curious. I really hope you're not going where I think you're going.

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Originally Posted by XiRon

My issue with Graha is just...oh hooray, another ff11 race. No au ra, viera or hrothgar Scion but god knows the game was dying for another 4'2" twink we see 12560 copies of at every single aetheryte.
If we were gonna get a wolsimp character he shouldve been a race they havent bled dry for 4 expansions like a highlander (arenvald got kneecaped and raubahn gets nothing to do), roegadyn (the only manroe is Biggs who hasnt had a spoken line since hw) au ra (yes we get plenty of auri...in azim steppe and if they arent treated like a joke ((magnai)) they get killed off ((ahewan))) and hrothgar (not a single hrothgar with a speaking role on the Source).
Like Im just tired as shit of the msq being nothing but middies elves and miqotes like why even have other races at this point ffs.

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All the important female roe:
Moenbryda who is dead
Merlwyb who is arguably the worst of the city-state leaders until finally cleaning up her messes
Moen's mom who did the one thing I could never do in a cutscene, give Urianger a hug but that's it

I get it, the people of Japan prefer a different type of female lead for their media. I get it.

But come on fantasy game, can we have a non-joke muscle girl that's alive for the entire expansion and written to be likable? Please?? Can the west just be thrown a single bone?

Poor Lyna got shafted but at least she made it through the apocalypse.

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Originally Posted by jameseoakes

And for quite a few of us this has failed provided relationships for quite a few of the scions that feel like deep meaningful friendships.

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Honestly I think the only Scions whom we develop an actual deep relationship is with Alphinaud.

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Originally Posted by aveyond-dreams

Games far shorter than this one have done a better job of making me like characters and build relationships within the party in far less time and dialogue. They need to do better, especially now that Reddit has published the news that Krile is set to play an active role in 7.0.

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For me I've found I'v been able to build great relationships with the scions and very early as well, so unfortunately I just cannot relate.

Respectfully, it sounds like you have a multitide of issues with the story and it's character, and I'm afraid for you to say that it's not going to change any time soon.
They've clearly hit on a formula that's recieved both widespread critical and fan acclaim.

It is unfortunate that this does not resonate with you, but it's not going to get any better.
Perhaps you should recognise that this is clearly not for you, and find another story that is? As much as the community reviles cutscene skipping, you can so and still enjoy the gameplay.

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Originally Posted by jameseoakes

And for quite a few of us this has failed provided relationships for quite a few of the scions that feel like deep meaningful friendships.

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Again, unfortunate, but I'd likely refer you to the same as above.

The funniest part is, we could've had these "friendship-building" moments this whole time, but the devs opted to put scion cosplay stuff in the cash shop instead of making it available through an in game quest. For example, the Yshtola haircut. It's currently available in the cash shop only. But what if in the base game, there was a side quest after, say, ARR or something, where the twins call Y'shtola old fashioned or something, and later she confides in you about wanting a new look and drags you around all day while she tries different hairstyles and outfits, and you can give your opinion via dialogue options and maybe Thancred stops by and sees Y'shtola in a casual glam and just explodes with laughter. And of course none of these fit her style, and in the end she just opts to stay with what she likes, and at the end of it all you get her haircut and her outfit.

Or maybe for the Thancred outfit, they have a sidequest where you're his wingman around Ul'dah for a bit, and you get to have dialogue options to help him get laid, and if you pick the wrong ones then he strikes out and feels really sad and you can blueball him on purpose if you feel like it, but either way at the end he's like "thanks for coming with!" and gives you his outfit so you can be cool and get laid later too. I'm just spitballing ideas at work, but "extra" stuff like this that has no bearing but also doesn't involve life or death stakes are a good way to make these people feel like friends because the player is actively involved in their personal lives. Instead, we can just buy these outfits for like 20 dollars and a good opportunity is sacrificed for profit.

IMAGINE a world where the twins' outfit/haircut comes from a quest where the twins' mom invites you to her chambers after dark and everything is pointing to some less-than-wholesome activities about to take place, but then she just hugs you and thanks you for watching her children and gives you one of their outfits, and maybe it doesn't even fit so your dumb-ass takes the too-small or too-large outfit to Krile of all people, who just looks at the outfit and then at you and then back at the outfit and then casts some magic so it fits and then laughs in your face because you look low-key ridiculous, idk. I'm just saying, we could have silly goofy shit like this with fun rewards that build our affection for the characters, but SE wanted to make 20 bucks so we acquire these things via the cash shop instead.

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Originally Posted by Atelier-Bagur

Honestly I think the only Scions whom we develop an actual deep relationship is with Alphinaud.

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That's because he's Yoshi P's favorite.

I took a deep look at the cast from ARR-HW with NG+ and honestly, Papalymo/Yda, Estenien and Alphinaud are the only character's I could look at and think they were genuinely my character's friend.

Especially if you start in Gridania as their dialog with you is warm vs Thancred's curt acknowledgement of your strength and Y'shtola not caring one way or another about you- just that you do the job.

But the point of this thread is G'raha's downgrade from the Exarch and even though I do think he's cute and love his ear wiggles... he can fall off the nearest cliff in Thavnir and I wouldn't miss him. Because it's the Exarch I personally have an attachment to. I want to retire G'raha, because if I wanted another simp for my WoL I could just talk to NPCs who do the same thing. The Legatus who tells his soldiers to back off because of who we are? I loved that. G'raha going sparkly eyed at meeting one of our friends and so much as talking to us? Yeah- pass.

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Originally Posted by TheSuperior

That's because he's Yoshi P's favorite.

I took a deep look at the cast from ARR-HW with NG+ and honestly, Papalymo/Yda, Estenien and Alphinaud are the only character's I could look at and think they were genuinely my character's friend.

Especially if you start in Gridania as their dialog with you is warm vs Thancred's curt acknowledgement of your strength and Y'shtola not caring one way or another about you- just that you do the job.

But the point of this thread is G'raha's downgrade from the Exarch and even though I do think he's cute and love his ear wiggles... he can fall off the nearest cliff in Thavnir and I wouldn't miss him. Because it's the Exarch I personally have an attachment to. I want to retire G'raha, because if I wanted another simp for my WoL I could just talk to NPCs who do the same thing. The Legatus who tells his soldiers to back off because of who we are? I loved that. G'raha going sparkly eyed at meeting one of our friends and so much as talking to us? Yeah- pass.

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I saw someone somewhere say that post Exarch G'raha is basically retired G'raha.
He's spent his time trying to save two worlds, finally succeeded with one, and now he's having a break. Which I found a nice thought.

Then I suppose we dragged him right back into another end of the world and he had to be the exarch again for a bit (thavnair).
Sorry G'raha :/

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Originally Posted by Atelier-Bagur

Honestly I think the only Scions whom we develop an actual deep relationship is with Alphinaud.

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He's definatly had the most effort put in and it's mostly worked out OK, though I don't feel like his friend I find too many bits with him arc a little too close to being his minder. I think Urianger has some good scenes that gave the feeling he was really worried about what the character thinks of him which was quite moving. I can remember many heartfelt scenes with say Y'sthola and G'raha had them but for me the writing made them feel really one-sided and awkward.

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Originally Posted by Iyrnthota

Again, unfortunate, but I'd likely refer you to the same as above.

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No I'd rather point out where I feel the writing is missing the mark in the hopes that it improves

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Originally Posted by jameseoakes

No I'd rather point out where I feel the writing is missing the mark in the hopes that it improves

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How long are you willing to wait? Because I fear you'll be waiting a long, long time.

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Originally Posted by Iyrnthota

How long are you willing to wait? Because I fear you'll be waiting a long, long time.

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Likely, still may was well try at least I can feel like I did something rather than give into the buillies

If anything being told to leave just makes me all the more willing to continue voicing my opinion in the hopes that the time and consideration is taken to analyze why some players feel the way they do about the current trajectory of the writing. I want FFXIV to succeed. I don't think G'raha Tia or the Scions have been all that helpful on that front. Were it not for a compelling antagonist faction, I struggle to believe that the Scions alone would've been able to capture the audience Shadowbringers did.

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Originally Posted by jameseoakes

Likely, still may was well try at least I can feel like I did something rather than give into the buillies

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I don't understand, are you implying the writers are bullying you by writing a story that you are not a fan of?

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Originally Posted by aveyond-dreams

If anything being told to leave just makes me all the more willing to continue voicing my opinion in the hopes that the time and consideration is taken to analyze why some players feel the way they do about the current trajectory of the writing. I want FFXIV to succeed. I don't think G'raha Tia or the Scions have been all that helpful on that front. Were it not for a compelling antagonist faction, I struggle to believe that the Scions alone would've been able to capture the audience Shadowbringers did.

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I'm not saying "if you don't like the story, f' off to WoW" or something. I'm suggesting that perhaps if you don't enjoy the book you're reading, put if down and pick up another.
I even suggested just skipping and enjoying the rest of the content the game has to offer. It's a perfectly viable way of engaging with the game.

I would also disagree with your latter point. While it's obviously rather difficult to pull out data for something like this, annecdotally based on my interactions with the community on social media and in game, the scions are a huge factor in the success and popularity of FFXIV and it's story.
The Ascians and Emet are also a large factor, no doubt, but I would argue the Scions themsevles have a larger pull.

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Originally Posted by Kazhar

What conspiracy theory? That the MSQ is oversaturated with the same races is an objective fact. You may disagree that diversity is needed, but there's no denying it's not currently there.
Like many players, XiRon forgot that Gosetsu is a MRoe, but other than that he's spot on.

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I didnt forget Gosetsu (altho frankly a roe without any FANTASY RACE attributes to begin with and human skintone may as well be a roided up highlander) but he vanishes after Yotsuyu dies and while he does return in the ranged dps ew story he also vanishes again because...idk.
But ye its not a conspiracy when its objectively true.

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Originally Posted by Iyrnthota

I don't understand, are you implying the writers are bullying you by writing a story that you are not a fan of?

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No I was saying you where telling me to leave for having a opinion you don't like

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Originally Posted by XiRon

I didnt forget Gosetsu (altho frankly a roe without any FANTASY RACE attributes to begin with and human skintone may as well be a roided up highlander) but he vanishes after Yotsuyu dies and while he does return in the ranged dps ew story he also vanishes again because...idk.
But ye its not a conspiracy when its objectively true.

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I was really hoping he'd end up the scions circle and we'd do more with him, he brought something different at least

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Originally Posted by XiRon

I didnt forget Gosetsu (altho frankly a roe without any FANTASY RACE attributes to begin with and human skintone may as well be a roided up highlander) but he vanishes after Yotsuyu dies and while he does return in the ranged dps ew story he also vanishes again because...idk.
But ye its not a conspiracy when its objectively true.

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I'll admit, I did have to go look up if Gosetsu was actually a Roe.
I was previously under the impression that he was just a hyur that they'd repurposed a Roe body model for.

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Originally Posted by jameseoakes

When is Sthola more than a respected work colleague than a friend. I can't remember many scenes where she's been a actual friend to the player character

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remember that touching scene in endwalker after your character gets kidnapped, roofied, and unconscious body is violated she says "Wipe the cobwebs from your head".
What an absolute peach I certainly hope she doesnt Flow herself out of existance again and we dont have any ways to deus ex machina her, her over papalymo or haurchefant or ysayle, for the 20th time again.

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Originally Posted by jameseoakes

No I was saying you where telling me to leave for having a opinion you don't like

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As I said to Aveyond, I'm not saying you should leave the game, I'm suggesting that if you continue to dislike the story and the direction it is continuing to progress in, perhaps stop engaging with the story.
The game has many other facets to it for you to enjoy, the story isn't mandatory and the skip button is always available (well, almost always).

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Originally Posted by Iyrnthota

As I said to Aveyond, I'm not saying you should leave the game, I'm suggesting that if you continue to dislike the story and the direction it is continuing to progress in, perhaps stop engaging with the story.
The game has many other facets to it for you to enjoy, the story isn't mandatory and the skip button is always available (well, almost always).

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This game has very little without it's story, which was broadly good until Endwalker so I do feel it's worth voicing that I think there are issues with it.

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Originally Posted by jameseoakes

He's definatly had the most effort put in and it's mostly worked out OK, though I don't feel like his friend I find too many bits with him arc a little too close to being his minder. I think Urianger has some good scenes that gave the feeling he was really worried about what the character thinks of him which was quite moving. I can remember many heartfelt scenes with say Y'sthola and G'raha had them but for me the writing made them feel really one-sided and awkward.

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I just feel that out of all the Scions, Alphinaud was always the one whom served as the WoL's guide and voice. And it shows with how naturally his character growth felt as we experienced many of the major trials and tribulations together. He's not necessarily my favorite character but he is the one whom we can genuinely actually call him "our best friend"

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Originally Posted by jameseoakes

This game has very little without it's story, which was broadly good until Endwalker so I do feel it's worth voicing that I think there are issues with it.

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What is it that you enjoy doing in the game then, if you don't mind me asking?

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Originally Posted by Iyrnthota

I don't understand, are you implying the writers are bullying you by writing a story that you are not a fan of?



I'm not saying "if you don't like the story, f' off to WoW" or something. I'm suggesting that perhaps if you don't enjoy the book you're reading, put if down and pick up another.
I even suggested just skipping and enjoying the rest of the content the game has to offer. It's a perfectly viable way of engaging with the game.

I would also disagree with your latter point. While it's obviously rather difficult to pull out data for something like this, annecdotally based on my interactions with the community on social media and in game, the scions are a huge factor in the success and popularity of FFXIV and it's story.
The Ascians and Emet are also a large factor, no doubt, but I would argue the Scions themsevles have a larger pull.

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The only scions actively hyped about by people in my daily life are Ysh because cat girl waifu, G'raha because same reasons and Urianger because memes about how he talks. I don't really hear anyone lavishing them with praise because of how they were written or the impact they have on the story. It's usually just simping or memes.

Taking a look at Zenos, Fandaniel, Emet, Meteion, Hermes...the villains of the story, I see a lot more in reference to the opposite...how they were written & what impacts they had on the stories they were involved in. I mean, some people obviously simp for Emet but, you get my point.

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Originally Posted by Atelier-Bagur

I just feel that out of all the Scions, Alphinaud was always the one whom served as the WoL's guide and voice. And it shows with how naturally his character growth felt as we experienced many of the major trials and tribulations together. He's not necessarily my favorite character but he is the one whom we can genuinely actually call him "our best friend"

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Yeah Alphinaud is one of the few characters that you're not just told they're dear close friends to you. You go through a lot that justifies it. Most of the others are basically workmates.
I think that's why I didn't shed any tears for Haucherfant's passing. It makes sense to mourn for him, just like it would have made sense to mourn over Papalymo. They were both valuable support to our journey for different reasons. But the game tries to force me to act like he was this life-changing dearest BFF when the extension of our interactions didn't back that level of closeness.