Our passive characters and why the 2.55 story fails (BIG SPOILERS) (rant warning)

[Risvertasashi]

Another thing that I found very odd was our pick of exile to Ishgard. Why Ishgard? Gridania and Limsa want nothing to do with what happened in Ul'dah and it's not like the Braves or the Brass Blades have any agency in those 2 cities.

I agree with you on every point but this one. The problem is...

Lolorito is now more or less the ruler of Ul'Dah. No matter how ridiculous their claims might be, harboring a fugitive accused of murder... well, not the best place to be politically. Pretty much why Kan-E-Senna and Merlwyb left at the scene of the deed.

At least, ostensibly that's the reason. I think, as the warrior of light, our characters would have enough public support that a nation could champion our cause and turn matters to their favor.

...that might be exactly what Ishgard is planning on doing? And hey, Ishgardians didn't abandon us while we were tied up on the floor. Right now, honestly, there isn't a GC that I want to be enlisted in...

[Addicted]

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Yes, seeking refuge in the other 2 cities would have more dire political ramifications, ones we could even use in our favor, like you said. I understand why Ishgard, I just think the urgency could have been better conveyed, which also ties into this:

You know the worst part? Alphinaud says right at the end that you can likely go back to Ul'dah because nobody believes you're guilty and nobody will support any action against you.
So this exile is entirely unnecessary because it's canon that Ul'dah is too lazy and lacks any backing to go after you.

I admire them for trying to make such drastic changes in the storyline, as poorly executed I think they may have been. I'd admire them even more if they tried to reflect that change in the actual world, especially since this is an MMO. Something as simple as having a hooded model while in Ul'dah or your face obscured while in Revenant's Toll. You may say that the story shouldn't impact the gameplay and I'd agree but it'd be a temporary change foreshadowing the expansion. It'd make it seem more living and less static. The writers try to justify why everything remains the same and it just falls flat because a change of this magnitude can't be hand waved with NPC dialogue.

[Risvertasashi]

I admire them for trying to make such drastic changes in the storyline, as poorly executed I think they may have been. I'd admire them even more if they tried to reflect that change in the actual world, especially since this is an MMO. Something as simple as having a hooded model while in Ul'dah or your face obscured while in Revenant's Toll. You may say that the story shouldn't impact the gameplay and I'd agree but it'd be a temporary change foreshadowing the expansion. It'd make it seem more living and less static. The writers try to justify why everything remains the same and it just falls flat because a change of this magnitude can't be hand waved with NPC dialogue.

I don't think the execution was horrible. Room for improvement, sure, there's a few sore points...

...But the alternative, a road many MMOs take, is "We don't write anything that actually impacts the world very much." GW2's "living story" is another way around it, but then there's no way to revisit past events for new or just busy players.

All in all, despite my criticisms... I will say thanks to SE for writing something this meaningful. I'd rather seem them try than not have it. And maybe next time, they'll take our feedback and there will be a "resist arrest" option.

[Addicted]

I don't think the execution was horrible. Room for improvement, sure, there's a few sore points...

...But the alternative, a road many MMOs take, is "We don't write anything that actually impacts the world very much." GW2's "living story" is another way around it, but then there's no way to revisit past events for new or just busy players.

I hate GW2s Living Story with a passion. Since this is an MMO, we're used to stuff always remaining the same. What I'd want is more akin to a pre-expansion event. I like the fact they went with such a drastic change to the story but I'd be even more impressed if they managed to merge the story developments with game world changes. Not something huge, just something that shows, doesn't tell, that stuff changed.

[Risvertasashi]

I hate GW2s Living Story with a passion. Since this is an MMO, we're used to stuff always remaining the same. What I'd want is more akin to a pre-expansion event. I like the fact they went with such a drastic change to the story but I'd be even more impressed if they managed to merge the story developments with game world changes. Not something huge, just something that shows, doesn't tell, that stuff changed.

IMO they did exactly that? A lot of NPC dialogue (guildmasters and street NPCs, etc) changes after you complete 2.55.

[Stuff - It's the heroic thing to do.]

...Gotta agree with this.

[Addicted]

IMO they did exactly that? A lot of NPC dialogue (guildmasters and street NPCs, etc) changes after you complete 2.55.

Tangible changes to the game world, however small. I guess you could fit NPC dialogue in that category as a change to the game world but I'm looking for something more substantial. Much of the NPC changed dialogue, while still a consequence of completing the story, is more of a way to justify why everything remains the same.

[kyuven]

Tangible changes to the game world, however small. I guess you could fit NPC dialogue in that category as a change to the game world but I'm looking for something more substantial. Much of the NPC changed dialogue, while still a consequence of completing the story, is more of a way to justify why everything remains the same.

They announced a long time ago that they want to revamp Ul'Dah.
With all this, it looks like they plan to hold to that.
However, for us at it stands now, they're not finished and still have a TON of work associated with 3.0.
Change will come.
And it kinda has to remain the same otherwise players could potential be blocked out of content such as class quests, job quests, moogle mail quests, EX primal quests, dungeon quests, and...oh yeah.
Hildibrand. A LOT of that quest chain involves Ul'Dah.

[Risvertasashi]

Tangible changes to the game world, however small. I guess you could fit NPC dialogue in that category as a change to the game world but I'm looking for something more substantial. Much of the NPC changed dialogue, while still a consequence of completing the story, is more of a way to justify why everything remains the same.

Well, but as a political event/storyline, it's basically all about the people involved. I mean Revenant's Toll has been growing patch by patch... but well, what could they do for this? I'm having a hard time seeing what they could change besides the people. We do lose access to the Rising Stones, sensibly...