1.19: first impressions

Hello. As the title suggests, I would like to write a summary of my first impressions after playing FFXIV 1.19 for a couple days.


1. The materia system

It looks very promising. I feel it is a very efficient way to keep players active. It is something you can do anytime you want (obviously the more people you play with the better it is).

Pros:
- Customization through materia attachments
- Goals to achieve
- Good for players who want to really be the best because they can take great risks to be better than everyone else by attaching multiple materias to items

Cons:
- Rare/ex gear that is hard to obtain is gimped because materia can't be attached. Hopefully SE will solve this problem efficiently


2. The exp chain/link system

I really like this addition, it makes for fun fights against multiple opponents, and the rewards are appropriate in terms of effort/reward.

Pros:
- Dynamic fights
- Appropriate exp rewards
- Thrill of overcoming multiple opponents at once

Cons:
- A gnat calling a coblyn for help doesn't make sense => keep the link system for mobs of the same species


3. The combat changes
This is obviously a touchy subject at the moment, but I feel it is because people have a tendency of screaming with their hands in the air whenever they trip. If you adapt, the new system works just fine. For example, doing leves solo is just as good if not better than before. Just remember that it's better to fight mobs that are your level or below now, and you'll be fine. They'll still give you better exp than before AND you'll get the same final reward for the leve itself.

Pros:
- Every level is now a real milestone, and imo this is a huge improvement, perhaps one of the most important ones in this update
- Therefore, levels are significant. Killing two mobs 10 levels above you on your own never really made sense
- It is now slighty harder to overcome potentially dangerous situations, which in turns makes victory sweeter, not to mention the exp rewards follow accordingly

Cons:
- None, all you have to do is adapt and overcome


4) Misc., and the lore

With the Grand companies, chocobos and airships, the world is more believable than ever before. I actually feel like Eorzea is alive for the first time, and I can't wait to fight the Imperials for the Immortal Flames. Going somewhere is not a bother anymore with chocobos, and I find myself completing a lot of quests I never had the motivation to even begin. I do feel, however, that the threat of the Garleans should be more present.


5) Closing

I think FFXIV is on its way to becoming a great game, but it is not there yet. The foundations have been laid, but we still need many necesary things such as a delivery system, a better party search function, and much more. I have obviously not talked about everything I could have, but I feel the aforementioned elements were key to the success of 1.19. I only wish the people who complain without even trying gave it a try before sentencing everything to death.

With the jobs coming soon, and the lore rolling in with an effect on the actual gameplay, we're finally starting the journey. We just needed to learn how to walk first, and while it took a year, learning to run shouldn't take nearly as much time.

Tbh, I like this thread!

It is warm and inviting. Just a shame there have been few replies.

I will order my reply in the fashion of your thread :)

1)

Ok, Materia needs some work yes, but on "top end" items so to speak are the be all and end all. I think improving the top end items (of any level) should be left alone. I think the idea of Materia is to make no so prized items...well....prized items, but in the fashion we want them.

To make the best gear adjustable would get out of hand too quickly. I do see your point on this. However, in the spirit of game balancing, i'd rather let it be

2) Ok, a Gnat calling a Coblyn is a little silly. But I think they should be put into groups. For instance, an enemay camp made of humes and elzaans. I imine they would call each other. I think the idea we are both aming at is context :)

3)4)5) I completely agree with you on these points. I have no major arguments against your post on these issues.

Lucinda Lecore xXx

1) I would rather see Rare/Ex gear boosted and stay non Meldable. Non Meldable to keep balanced, but with boosted stat of course.

Great review and I agree whole heartedly!

Feel a little let down in the lack of variety in the Grand Company leves but otherwise I'm liking the update.

I guess I will share my impressions too.
I've been hating on the game alot since it came out but I've gotta say this patch is the first one that made me hopeful.
Honestly, I've had alot fun doing stronghold raids, quests, and converting stuff to materia.
However, they do have to fix the rare/ex items not being sockable or convertible. Without that content that provides those items will be outdated and worthless and that would be a shame.
Simple fix would be to make people be able to put an item and a materia together in a bazaar from which crafters can socket it like when they repair rare/ex gear.
Finally, party search/zone chat. Although, I had fun for 2 days it all came down to a crushing end once I finished doing stuff on my rank 50 and went to lvl 14 conjurer. Finding a group is such a chore and so annoying that it makes me not want to log in again till it's fixed and probably wont. I dont see this game going anywhere without that fix.

Gath likes this patch.
The difficulty is pretty good on this with the strongholds, ifrit fight, and the race to get the best materia/gear.
The game seems a lot more lively now than it was.
Gath approves.

My 1 gil is worth more than your 1 gil.