The evolution of FFXIV

Pretty spot on if you ask me. I'm going to go cry in the corner now, thanks.

https://i.imgur.com/Lr3lps9.png

So far the defenders are missing the point, but that's not really surprising now is it lol

Amen to that, but whatever sells right? Including the devs selling their own creative souls for monetary gain

Then stop playing.

Actual slop. They couldnt even be bothered to make it a tomestone like the other emote.

You can thank the modern audience for that.

Oh please it's not like the FF series has melded worlds with apparent medieval societies and high tech/real-world aspects before (FFVII, VIII, XIII, X, XV... cough cough)

Besides, that bottom image, the 'modern clothing' is far older in reality than what you would believe (denim jeans after all originated as work attire in the 1800s, as did leather jackets, scarves are almost as old as fashion has existed, and even the much mocked 'smartphone' emote is really a lore-correct Allagan tomestone that literally says it is completely useless (it just has the 'smartphone' look for those who want such a thing).

The recent camera emote is a bit of a stretch though I admit, but just look on it as pointless product placement and ignore it (I mean, even FFXI had a camera item in game so there is even precedent with that).

And besides, even from the beginning Garlemald was hinted at being a lot more high tech than the mere steampunk magitek armour and airships it initially revealed, which the game much later confirmed. Technology that the Garlond Ironworks has been progressively implementing into Eorzea and elsewhere.

And then there was the Allag.... And now, we have Alexandria/Solution 9 which is is like if FFIX's Alexandria married into the Allag and went full on cyberpunk....

Reinforcing comment of cynical pessimism.

What "modern" audience?

Btw why is none of you "they ruined the game with smartphones" people crying about guns and technology in their middle age style game?

A literal high tech moon almost erased Eorzea at the end of 1.xx and Alexandria coming from another world could be used to explain these things now. Dunno why this is an issue when Final Fantasy has had many games that has a mix of the two tropes and in the case of this game, it has existed since 1.0. It's not like this game was medieval for several expansions and then suddenly came the high tech things.

Cue the bad faith "final fantasy always had technology, stop complaining!!" defences.

Oh wait, they're already here.