New Main Scenario Quests: Thoughts?

(You're safe from plot spoilers here! At least in my post!)

The new bunch of main scenario quests are quite lengthy for a patch! I'd say that the overall experience of the new quests was a pleasant surprise. Well, aside from the odd segment that forces players into reverse, revisiting low level dungeons and guildhests again. That definitely felt out of place and had me less than enthused, but I didn't mind sucking up and doing it because clearly it was needed in order to force more players into unlocking the less popular areas in Duty Finder. (Thus allowing players who are actually interested in visiting that content to start getting groups when people start using the new Duty Roulette feature.)

I got very excited when the quests brought back even more familiar faces and names from 1.0. It's given me hope that some loose ends from 1.0's unfinished subplots might eventually be revisited, and perhaps their mysteries will even be given proper conclusions one day. I was also pleased with how the quests managed to work the new/old Trial into the story. The revelations that resulted from completing the trial definitely intrigued me, and the final chunk of the new quest chain has me very excited to see what comes in the next patch/expansion. I can't turn off my brain -- there are so many fun possibilities to think about!

For those of you just starting them though, and getting a taste of Tier 4 materia as rewards, don't let that get your hopes up about the rewards for finishing the quest chain. That's pretty much the high point of the rewards by a HUGE margin. Unless you're into minions, that is. You do get a new minion halfway through, and it's super cute. After you have that, you're really just in for some bag clutter and a small gil allowance. There's no way to show off to your friends that you've finished everything. I don't think there was even an achievement. If you're only in it for the swag, then grab the unique minion, unlock the new Trial, and you'll be safe to stop there. Well, for the duration of 2.1 at least.

I'd still recommend the experience just for the progression in the story alone though! If you're the type to enjoy reading quest text, it's well worth the time to play through this stuff.

What did everyone else think? In the end, to me it was five or six hours of entertainment that made me feel like my sub fee this month was money well spent. For content that was so overlooked during all of the patch hype, I really felt like I'd discovered a hidden gem here.

Thanks, SE! I'm definitely looking forward to finding out what you have planned next for the Scions. :)