I really enjoyed the 6.X patch story
1st things 1st, this isn't supposed to be a counterargument or reaction to another post. I'm not subtweeting anybody, and we're all welcome to differing opinions! I just wanted to throw out my personal appreciation for the story we got between the end of 6.0 and whatever comes in the lead up to Dawntrail. Also, plenty of spoilers up to the end of 6.5 as I ramble through this unplanned stream of consciousness...
So to start, I loved the pure, Indiana Jones-style adventure of 6.1. An auction for a lost treasure map, exploring island jungles and sunken ruins, and the beginnings of a dark mystery in the depths of the Bounty. Getting a ton of quality time with Estinien was a real treat, too, and I'm so happy he got to be a significant part of this story. Personally, I would have loved to spend *more* time in this sort of low-stakes adventure mode, but ultimately I liked what we got as we went on and I think we're getting plenty of that in the 1st half of 7.0.
Speaking of what we ended up getting, while I think there were some touch-and-go moments in 6.2 thru 6.4 in terms of pacing, I had a blast with the "take down the lieutenants" boss gauntlet dealing with the Archfiends. It's simplistic story-telling, for sure, but I don't see that as a negative. A New Hope is also super simple story telling, but it's still my favorite Star Wars movie; sometimes that kind of dumb adventure is just what the doctor ordered. Also, there's something to be said for embracing that Scooby-Doo vibe of the gang working their way through a mystery/problem while also taking on the obstacles that try to slow them down or scare them off. And we had a great gang for it! Obviously your mileage will vary depending on your opinions of our companions, but I dug the smaller core group of Varshan, Estinien, Y'Shtola, and Zero. Getting help from our other friends and companions along the way was always welcome, but the cozy feel of that small party that really resonated with me. Y'Shtola especially, since we got to see her fully in her element as a scholar and problem solver for more than a single questline or patch.
Now, I'll also admit that I'm a big fan of how deliberately the XIV team tells their stories (no matter the writer). It does usually mean that there's a lot of dialogue and downtime between big events (lots of "go here, talk to this person"), which isn't super popular with the playerbase here on the forums, but it does so much to sell me on the eventual solutions and conclusions to our problems. Did we REALLY need to talk to Eulmore, the Night's Blessed, and the Miners of Twine to get our plan working on the 1st? Well, no, of course not... but seeing the love and admiration that the 1st has for the Warrior of Light *through Zero's eyes* was such a fulfilling sequence. Not only does it hammer home the impact of our journey through Shadowbringers, but it also continues to lay the groundwork for the resolve that Zero needs to overcome the 13th's inherent Nihilism and redeem her home. Her arc was well earned in my opinion, because each patch took the time to show her past and present struggles before peeling back each layer with a new interaction or meeting on the source. Likewise, I appreciated the way we dealt with our incursions and assault on the 13th, because it felt like real problem solving to me. We tried things based on past experience and educated guesses, ran into obstacles and roadblocks, and went back to the drawing board if necessary to get back on the right track. It was slow for sure, but to me it sold that feeling of a team bringing their best attributes together to accomplish something miraculous. I don't know if any of that makes any sense... but I keep coming back to the "cozy" feel of it all, I just really liked the vibe.
And finally, while I don't think we need a happy ending for everything, I AM personally a sucker for a happy ending... And what better time to have a story with nicely wrapped bow than right now? Yeah it may feel like a "filler" arc, especially after doing a very similar thing with 6.0's ending, but longform storytelling has always benefitted a well-placed side adventure and that's especially true before kicking off the next big arc. And in a real world that is so cynical and so depressing, I am all for a magical-girl-transformation, power-of-friendship storyline that ends with former enemies shaking hands and learning to lean on each other. That shit is heartwarming and I love it, more of that in the future please!
So, yeah... I don't really care if I'm in the minority or not, I just wanted to throw it out there that I had a good time with the patch story and I'm (VERY) excited for what comes next! <3
Edit: For a bit of context, I guess I should say that Stormblood is my favorite expansion, and I think that may have some influence over my feelings with the latest storyline. Stormblood is grounded, it's human, and it's a fascinating study in the redemption (or lack thereof) of characters that feel they don't deserve one. I mean, that's true for much of FFXIV... but there's something about the foiled experiences of Fordola and Yotsuyu that really hit home for me. That's probably a big part of the reason I loved Zero's journey, but it's also a factor in accepting (and celebrating) Golbez' heel turn from comic book villain to newfound friend*.