FFXIV's Storyline

That "what does Final Fantasy mean to you" thread got me thinking...

I'm not extremely far in it and I've only played one character, so I can't say much, but... from what I've seen, FFXIV's storyline, as far as Gridania is concerned, bad, but afterward(fade to white), seems to be "Okay" at worst, hopefully "Good".

Something far more involved would be really nice IMO - like a traditional FFXIV storyline, especially if I could bring friends along and we could influence the storyline, but that would make it an even bigger project than it already is. Even if my avatar only got to play a silent partner to some other group of protagonists, or had limited choice responses to influence the events (or both), that would be nice. (I'm thinking Fable style, for the latter suggestion)

As it is, an NPC calls me every once in a while to do this or that and then it's back to grinding forever. I'm aware that it's an MMO... but it's also Final Fantasy. It's not supposed to be some common MMO, it should be the MMO that every MMO aspires to be...

Am I asking for too much?

I think the issue with the story line is too far spread apart. Over all I think the story line is fairly good, it escalates more and more as you go through it.

Currently there is so much unknown about the story at where it currently ends I do not think anyone has a clue what will happen next. Very typical SE story line, issue is we have no end and there is too much timer between story lines.

IF you youtube the Ifrit mission and the final mission where you meet the possible mainboss/headguy from the Gar. Empire you will see the story gets a whole lot more interesting then the intro background story missions.

What is the issue with the gar. empire?, what happened to the city that the empire destroyed?, what is with the primals and the bst tribes?, why do you have the power of echo and why do you have immunity from the primals? I think SE is weaving a great story, it just needs to be finished.

We are all Ghosts. :/

I loathe how you can solo all the missions. You should need atleast 5 people...

It should be you and your friends doing something that leaves you empowered. Not standing around while NPCs fight the general of an army.

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Originally Posted by Rau

I loathe how you can solo all the missions. You should need atleast 5 people...

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If that were the case, it'd probably end up like the epic book quests in Lord of the Rings Online, in that most players were never able to see the storyline due to being unable to get a group together.

One of the biggest let downs of FFXIV for me was the mission themselves, the story isn't bad but missions engineered for a crafter to solo is not as engaging and epic as one where a full party if not alliance is required to succeed. I did the level 15 Gridania mission and litteral got carried through the fight by a endless wave of spawning npcs while I ran in and out trying to fight only to get almost 1 shot.

I couldn't bring a friend alone so instead of eaming up we had to separate and do the exact same mission solo at the same time. THIS broke my heart, missions where you start a battle and afk or just run around playing 25 questions until stuff dies? come on I want blood shed, i want to break a sweat throwing my life on the line. I want the battle to get my blood pumping and most of all I want my friends along for the ride.

If this does not change I doubt I can even finish the story missions in this game.

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Originally Posted by Eolrid

If that were the case, it'd probably end up like the epic book quests in Lord of the Rings Online, in that most players were never able to see the storyline due to being unable to get a group together.

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Thats Lord of the Rings, in Final Fantasy XI I had no problem getting missions done by simply asking LS or shouting for more heads. FFXI community was friendly, helpful and thriving so getting things done wasn't too much of a hassle unless it had a level cap on it then gathering people became an issue before level sync and cap removal in certain expansion areas.

Watch all or part of ToAU 44 and then do the same with Gridania rank 15 mission "Beckon of the Elementals" I think it was called. After doing so tell me which one you prefer.

ToAU 44: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
(Spoilers for those who haven't done yet lol.)

Gridania lvl 15 Mission: The Fight (Spoilers for those who haven't done yet.)

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Originally Posted by Keith_Dragoon

Thats Lord of the Rings, in Final Fantasy XI I had no problem getting missions done by simply asking LS or shouting for more heads. FFXI community was friendly, helpful and thriving so getting things done wasn't too much of a hassle unless it had a level cap on it then gathering people became an issue before level sync and cap removal in certain expansion areas.

Go on youtube and search ToAU 44 or another mission from the game and then do the same with Gridania rank 15 mission "Fade to White" I think it was called. After doing so tell me which one you prefer.

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I enjoy group content, myself. However, this is Final Fantasy XIV, not XI. I just think we need to concentrate on getting a good deal more content into the game and improving its overall health before we go adding storyline content that requires several people to accomplish. Tons of group-only content only works in a game with a healthy population, and at this point I wouldn't call FFXIV "thriving." But I'm generally on your side of the issue.

Back on topic, I'm definitely in favor of a more involved storyline, and I also agree that you should be able to bring friends along if you want.

Not everyone is a fan of group storyline quest, that's the main sales point of SW:TOR. RPG doesn't always equate to a party, otherwise games like TES never exist.

And it kills the immersion in that players who completed the storyline quests/missions can redo it in another group. What, did you just kill the big bad guy the 123456789 times according to the story?

It needs group mission, but at the same time it needs not to be all about group mission. A common ground to share, not only one or the other.

And yet more comparisons between content far into a game's lifespan with a game that's pretty much left the oven before it was fully cooked.

But yes, I see dead people.