Awfully weak story... or is it? [WARNING:SPOILERS]

[Dhaenon]

All my friends were disappointed that there wasn't an option to choose to join none of the Grand Companies. We all felt the Empire had a better sales pitch. I understand why you can't join the Empire, but I didn't want to join any of the other factions either.
Girdania, "Protect the forest, just this forest."
Ul-Dah, "Make us money, die for us if need be, and remember to strike first."
Limsa, "We are not unified, but we should unify the world under our ideals of not being unified."

Seemed like douchebaggery everywhere.

[Astarica]

All my friends were disappointed that there wasn't an option to choose to join none of the Grand Companies. We all felt the Empire had a better sales pitch. I understand why you can't join the Empire, but I didn't want to join any of the other factions either.

This game can really take a lesson from SWTOR. Although you can't outright betray your side (well, IA sort of can), you can definitely let them know you don't agree with whatever the guys in charge are doing. I get that you're probably supposed to be the Jedi Knight light side guy, but even the Jedi Knight light side guy isn't this goody-two-shoes. In particular, noting that you're working with a bunch of buffoons (like Company of Heroes) does not make you a bad guy.

[Enkidoh]

The thing is, that 'light side-dark side' thing worked well for TOR, being both a Bioware game (who have made something of a tradition of that style of RPG - using a literal DnD based battle system), and a Star Wars title, so it fits the canon.

For FFXIV however, we're all on the same side here. We're all adventurers with the Echo who are potentially targets for extermination by the Garleans (this was stated specifically in 1.0) - there's no variance in that, simply because the storyline doesn't accept it.

Complain that the storyline is 'bad' because of it if you must, but just remember that this is a Final Fantasy game - there is no choice to play as 'villains' instead of the 'good guys' - no 'Alliance/Horde' system here, it's the nature of the beast.

[Astarica]

Complain that the storyline is 'bad' because of it if you must, but just remember that this is a Final Fantasy game - there is no choice to play as 'villains' instead of the 'good guys' - no 'Alliance/Horde' system here, it's the nature of the beast.

Sure, it's probably too much to expect even a superficial appearance of having choices, but in that case don't force players to make totally stupid decisions and expect people to be immersed. The Company of Heroes arc is an obvious one, but in general it just doesn't feel like the guys you're fighting for is even worth the trouble given they show no appreciation for your efforts either. At several point in the story you are able to choose some kind of response. It'd be nice if those actually appeared to have an impact. For example, if you can say, "Don't send me with those losers called Company of Heroes again", then later Minfillia can at least apologize for wasting your time.

Case in point. In the Company of Hero arc, multiple guys on your side pointed out that you're working for a bunch of idiots on the far fetched hope that they actually know something. In fact, you, the Warrior of Light, is the biggest endorser of the said group of buffoons. While others express skepticism, your character is presumably saying, "I LUV KILLING DRAGON FOR CHEESE! WOULD DO IT AGAIN!" This is where having the hero not talk hurts a lot, since he doesn't talk we have to assume he has to be mentally retarded. If he talked, he could say like well these guys aren't reliable but they're our best bet. It'd still be pretty dumb but it'd give the hero a chance to prove that he's not retarded. It's because the story forces you automatically into some very dumb decisions and the fact that the hero never even tries to attempt to defend himself (because he can't talk) you get those compounded effect. Why am I fetching stew on the eve of the attack into Praetorium? But since the hero doesn't explain, I must assume the hero is just dumb and enjoys wasting his time.

[saber_alter]

Nice try, Garlean Empire Spy! Almost had me going there..

Lecruset has a point though...if that is who your referring to. I have no clue how ala mhigo fell, but I do know that the only city-state that is in any way politically stable is gridania. Lominsa is more of a controlled chaos because of the efforts of the admiral (it's surprising that she was even capable of bringing it to that level) while Ul'dah is in the midst of a power grab.

If I had a choice I would not have joined any grand company. I would have left for the Holy See weeks ago if I were not barred access.
(I don't like the religious outlook of ishgard either, but they would at least let me kill dragons :P)

[KaleHitsuga]

The Company of Heroes arc is an obvious one, but in general it just doesn't feel like the guys you're fighting for is even worth the trouble given they show no appreciation for your efforts either. At several point in the story you are able to choose some kind of response. It'd be nice if those actually appeared to have an impact. For example, if you can say, "Don't send me with those losers called Company of Heroes again", then later Minfillia can at least apologize for wasting your time.

Hey, at least when those morons tricked me into gathering a banquet for them it was for me (the PC), and if I recall it was so delicious it opned my mind (the PC's mind) to the infinite possibilities of the universe and I (PC) nearly wept tears of unbridled joy (paraphrasing). Was it worth letting Titan gain a footing in this world? Maybe not, but I think food based spiritual enlightenment is a decent apology.

[Enkidoh]

Sure, it's probably too much to expect even a superficial appearance of having choices, but in that case don't force players to make totally stupid decisions and expect people to be immersed. The Company of Heroes arc is an obvious one, but in general it just doesn't feel like the guys you're fighting for is even worth the trouble given they show no appreciation for your efforts either. At several point in the story you are able to choose some kind of response. It'd be nice if those actually appeared to have an impact. For example, if you can say, "Don't send me with those losers called Company of Heroes again", then later Minfillia can at least apologize for wasting your time.

I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to disagree here - half the game is spent with npcs of various factions all showing their appreciation for what your player is doing. As early as completing the level 10 storyline quest the proprietor of your city's Adventurer's Guild rewards you for your 'valiant efforts' by giving you free access to every Inn, and the ability to use levequests.

And look at the level 15 story quest - your own nation's leader gives you a free airship pass and makes you their personal envoy. And that's not even including the constant gil and items you're rewarded each time you turn in a sidequest. What were you expecting, a tickertape parade every time you do a fetch quest for someone? Your character is an adventurer, a do-anything-anywhere-anytime-type, hence your employment is based purely around whatever you're asked to do. The Adventurer's Guild even lampshades this right at the start admitting that often an adventurer's work will not be of 'realm-shattering importance', so really, your character knows what they're in for right at the start.

Case in point. In the Company of Hero arc, multiple guys on your side pointed out that you're working for a bunch of idiots on the far fetched hope that they actually know something. In fact, you, the Warrior of Light, is the biggest endorser of the said group of buffoons. While others express skepticism, your character is presumably saying, "I LUV KILLING DRAGON FOR CHEESE! WOULD DO IT AGAIN!" This is where having the hero not talk hurts a lot, since he doesn't talk we have to assume he has to be mentally retarded. If he talked, he could say like well these guys aren't reliable but they're our best bet. It'd still be pretty dumb but it'd give the hero a chance to prove that he's not retarded. It's because the story forces you automatically into some very dumb decisions and the fact that the hero never even tries to attempt to defend himself (because he can't talk) you get those compounded effect. Why am I fetching stew on the eve of the attack into Praetorium? But since the hero doesn't explain, I must assume the hero is just dumb and enjoys wasting his time.

It's frequently shown the player's character does in fact speak - they frequently open their mouth when you interact with another npc. However, whatever they said isn't directly shown as text, instead often the npc will actually paraphrase what the player's character apparently said in their own speech. In some respects it is a lazy way of handling player character dialogue, but it does give also freedom in how the player desires how their character would actually be played as. A lot of players after all go into elaborate detail role-playing their character and create detailed mannerisms and personalities. Having a default way of speaking to NPCs would prevent all that as the player would be forced into playing their character in a premade way - you might as well be playing a premade or default character created by SE themselves rather than one you've created.

Also, as I mentioned before, the player accepts these silly fetch quests willingly because, it's what they do. It's a coinpouch at the end of it. If this isn't up your alley, perhaps you should think of a career change for your character, as adventuring obviously isn't suited to you. j/k

[Aenarion]

He had you Dead-to-rights several times in 1.0 and let you live.

He took several cities by force and forced peace as said by his right-hand mad.

Instead of just wiping everyone out with Ultima effortlessly, he gives everyone to chance to surrender.

he seems to be a better anti-hero than a true villain. He seemed to be doing wrongs to make the right.

If you consider enslavement/pillage/rape of entire nations as "the right" then, I suppose.

[KaleHitsuga]

My two cents on the Empire and Eorzea. I do not condone slavery, indoctrination, or totalitarianism; as such I can not condone the entire way of life Garlemald embraces. Are the the black to Eorzea's white? No, just a dingier grey. Limsa is a state based on the freedom of the open seas, this however attracts piracy, so who ever leads them must be strict and willing to punish capital offenses. I know the least about them, so I can not say much, but never have I seen Merlwyb kill for no reason. Ul'dah is a shining example of mercantilism, where a single man can change the world if only he had enough coin. However, again this is prone to corrupted interpretation by a few, and 5 of the 6 syndicate are either open sabatoures of opposition, or uncaring toward any suffering but there own. Raubahn promised the Sultana to bring some change for the better, and so amassed a fortune the only way he knew how, the arena. He is a warrior, but one of noble aims.Gridania is a land of peace, surrounded by threats. Though they would prefer to live in harmony with the forest, they must instead defend it constantly from the jealously savage Ixal, and the advancing Garlean threat. This is evident by the fact that their three fighting styles evolved from methods of hunting and tending to the forest. Kan-E-Senna leads them ever in a direction of coexistance with the forest and others who respect it, and only asks the Adders to take arms when absolutely necessary.

I do not hate Gaius though. He had his view of a perfect world and fought for what he saw as right. I can respect that. But when his path leads down one that takes all freedom from the peoples of the world I can just not sit by and let that happen. He had his honor, but he had no remorse for his enemy. What some seem to see as an attempt to spare blood shed from his terms of surrender, i see nothing but him asking all of Eorzea to submit, or die. I'll always chose the third option in that, to fight. Eorzea has it's faults, but enough people work to fix it that I would not abandon it.

[Hanabira]

half the game is spent with npcs of various factions all showing their appreciation for what your player is doing

No one in the game that could help you would do so unless you did their chores for them. No NPCs had any sense of urgency for serious matters. One NPC even went so far to say that he doesn't care WHAT kind of danger Eorzea is in, you cant do it without his help, and he wont help until you help him. None of the questgivers trusted you, unless you did xyz task... and then, they STILL dont trust you... but they MIGHT if yo do another task or 2.. and then what? WHOOPS, actually, i cant help you, but if you go to THIS guy.. maybe. And you get there.. and guess what.. I DONT TRUST YOU... but i DO need some monsters killed.

One npc actually tricked you into doing his mob killing chores by lying and saying he could help you if you helped him first. No one had any appreciation after you get your airship pass (which lets be honest, was only so you could do errands)