Is 7.2 the last patch to even save Dawntrail at this point?(SPOILERS AHOY)

Going forward (beyond 8.0), SQENIX needs to start to innovate with FFXIV because it is falling significantly behind its competition in terms of systems and mechanics.

From UI functionality to how static the combat is (I know this is subjective).

I remember switching from WoW to ARR at its release (I had already played 1.0 briefly while it was free), and ARR felt so modern in comparison to WoW at the time, but now it's the opposite.

FFXIV feels outdated, whereas World of Warcraft has upgraded its numerous mechanics over time, making it feel modern again.

And for Venat's sake, fix the mobile forum!

It's so annoying that the mobile version of the forum doesn't even have functionality for post editing.

There is no saving Dawntrail. Dawntrail was done for the moment it released.
Unless they decide to revamp the entire Addon's story, which they should (but won't because it costs money), nothing can salvage this butchered attempt at storytelling.
It's a disgrace to everyone who worked hard to build up this game's reputation over the last 10 years.

I don't think there is much hope for Dawntrail now and the patches won't save it. the story has been locked in for a good amount of time now and I doubt they have time to change much. I imagine they will put more focus on making 8.0 better and just have to ride out DT, here's hoping 8.0 returns to the days of Shadowbringers quality

Just think of Dawntrail as WoW's Shadowlands, players didn't like it and a lot of people stopped playing thanks to it.
But now WoW has The War Within and a lot of players say that it's really good and a lot of players returned thanks to that.

Point is, Dawntrail might not be the best for many but just endure (or take a break) and perhaps the next expansion will be better and people can just "forget" that Dawntrail ever happened.

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Originally Posted by Evergrey

Just think of Dawntrail as WoW's Shadowlands, players didn't like it and a lot of people stopped playing thanks to it.
But now WoW has The War Within and a lot of players say that it's really good and a lot of players returned thanks to that.

Point is, Dawntrail might not be the best for many but just endure (or take a break) and perhaps the next expansion will be better and people can just "forget" that Dawntrail ever happened.

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You could also compare it to BfA, being the expansion following the conclusion of the main conflict. That paints a much more grim picture for 8.X.

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Originally Posted by Daralii

You could also compare it to BfA, being the expansion following the conclusion of the main conflict. That paints a much more grim picture for 8.X.

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This is a "glass half full / half empty" kinda mindset.
You chose to pick an expansion that is followed by another bad one / glass half empty
Where I picked an expansion where the following one ended up to be an improvement / half full.

This kinda shows the mentality whether or not people choose to hope that things can get better or not.

The number of people on here acting like if DT is the second coming of 1.0 is baffling.

Dawntrail is going to be remembered as the expansion that broke the back of the game.
At the very least, it's going to be remembered as the expansion that turned the players against Yoshi and showed just how little they are actually innovating.

This game has been effectively led by a one trick pony, and it shows. The same thing has been done over and over and over. It worked for a time, but people get tired of seeing the same trick time and time again and thats where we are.

This game needs new vision, it needs new leadership and innovation, not the same thing over and over. That's what got us into this mess.
It's going to take effort to get us out.

Anyone who vehemently defends Dawntrail, and says they see "no problem" with characters like Wuk Lamat, and think they are "great" are far too out of touch to bring this game back.

The jobs have been homogenized to the point where you can summarize every single one of them as "1-2-3, 4-5-6, builder/spender, 2-3 gcds, and maybe another 2-3 buttons if necessary".
The "open world" is nearly featureless and empty feeling.
All the systems feel more and more dated as time goes on.

Every time people ask for change, ask for something fresh, we're met with the exact same excuses we were met with 8 years ago. "Spaghetti Code!!11!"
At this point, that's code for "Not going to happen, loser!"

There's a lot of copium going around for 8.0. But you are out of your mind if you think it's going to get any better without a major shakeup.

This expansion has somehow managed to make Cataclysm look like a major success, and yet there is radio silence.

I don't think they can really "save" Dawntrail. Even though we're only at patch 7.16 with another one and a half years or more to go until 8.0, what's done is done, and nobody can change it. 7.0 already left it's mark on the player base no matter which side you're on, and 7.1 didn't really do anything to help or alleviate that for players. Hell story wise 7.1 might've potentially just made it worse because so many people, myself included, already threw out ideas for what was even going to happen in the patches given how 7.0 went and, currently, it seems like where they're heading plot wise with post-patch is incredibly obvious at the moment, so there isn't really anything to exciting to look forward to unless 7.2 gives a massive curve-ball.

I genuinely don't think 7.2 will do much to "save" Dawntrail, since if their voice lines being recorded 6-12 months in advance is actually true, then it would mean both 7.1 and most of 7.2 were most likely already set in stone story wise when Dawntrail launched. I know Yoshi-P said they would see the feedback from Dawntrail's launch and then change things as needed story wise, but if the story is set in stone a year or so in advance then 7.2 shouldn't really "change" much from what was originally planned alongside 7.0/7.1. Patch 7.3 though is when it might finally be able to be changed up and will really be the last chance to "save" Dawntrail since, if I recall correctly, Yoshi-P said 7.3 was going to be where they "finished" Dawntrail's story.

By 7.3's launch though, Dawntrail will be over a year old, and by that point in the expansion's life it wouldn't really be them "saving" Dawntrail, it'd more be them "salvaging" Dawntrail, especially if 7.2 comes out and does absolutely nothing to help or change player's current thoughts on the expansion.

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Originally Posted by Daralii

You could also compare it to BfA, being the expansion following the conclusion of the main conflict. That paints a much more grim picture for 8.X.

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BFA had a good start, the world was interesting, until it botched up in the later patches.
Dawntrail like Shadowlands has been crap, start to finish.

And at least WoW even in it's crappiest days had the balls to TRY SOMETHING NEW and INNOVATE.