The MSQ was amazing (no spoilers)

[Clarkamite]

Before I even say anything let me simply acknowledge that I'm sure there's going to be someone out there who didn't like it for one reason or another. I'm sure they'll think of some plot holes or nitpick some small stuff that I didn't care enough to notice.

Been a player since Beta 4 and I didn't think the MSQ of 2.0 was anything to write home about. Being an avid FF story fan I thought it was pretty bland.

Over the course of the last 2 or so years I've read all sorts of discussions and complaints and suggestions about what a story should look like and let me just say I feel like SE really honed in on a lot of those points.

Your character, while still retaining that sense of mindless drone doing fetch quests, was given a layer to him/her. You actually get to choose responses to various events. Nothing too complex and not a whole lot of options, just two or three, but they allowed you to give your character just a dash more flavor.

Seeing my characters expression change to something more than, "Angry" or "Oh man!" was certainly a real treat. Without spoiling anything for anyone when things go…awry…there were times when my character seemed genuinely heartbroken. The expression on the face was amazing. I found myself getting slightly, just slightly, emotional over a few scenes. No where close to FFX levels of emotional but I could tell that SE really put some time into developing this story.

There were also times I found myself watching a CS with an antagonist and while I knew they were the "bad guy" I completely understood and empathized with their motives. Don't get me wrong, I still was like, "This person needs to go down," but I could see their point of view. The way they developed that aspect was probably the most intense from my perspective.

It was a fantastical journey and I honestly can't wait for what's to come. Being someone who really only played this game for the raiding, which had a pretty good story to begin with, I now find it refreshing to have something else to look forward too.

I just want to simply end on saying: SE, you guys really outdid yourselves in this expansion. If you continue to have story like this in your future additions you can count on me to keep throwing my hard earned dollars at you. And for more than just the usual: "skip skip skip skip ok finally the meat"

[Natsuno]

Your character, while still retaining that sense of mindless drone doing fetch quests, was given a layer to him/her. You actually get to choose responses to various events. Nothing too complex and not a whole lot of options, just two or three, but they allowed you to give your character just a dash more flavor.

Seeing my characters expression change to something more than, "Angry" or "Oh man!" was certainly a real treat. Without spoiling anything for anyone when things go…awry…there were times when my character seemed genuinely heartbroken. The expression on the face was amazing. I found myself getting slightly, just slightly, emotional over a few scenes.

Just to add to this, it was nice to see more of our character taking part in conversations or explaining what just went down, rather than just being the potted plant in the corner while the NPCs dialogued with each other.

[Reinfeld]

Just to add to this, it was nice to see more of our character taking part in conversations or explaining what just went down, rather than just being the potted plant in the corner while the NPCs dialogued with each other.

I can only wish the same wasn't true for the goofy emotes they inserted. Every time my character smiled or made a sad face I cringed.

[Natsuno]

I can only wish the same wasn't true for the goofy emotes they inserted. Every time my character smiled or made a sad face I cringed.

Strangely enough, I didn't feel the same way with my Au Ra. If I was still a miqo'te, I would completely agree with you (smile really was cringeworthy). Face type probably counts a whole lot.

Hmm... Might have to visit an inn and replay Hildy scenes as an Au Ra just to see how silly those OTT expressions are.

[Blanchimont]

The story was okay for me this time. It was definitely a lot better than the 2.1 to 2.55 storyline where it felt like it had a lot of downtime. What I didn't like though was the ending. They basically made a full circle and we are back exactly where we are started minus a few NPCs that died along the way.

[Reiryuu]

I enjoyed the HW story a lot... but there IS one quest that is lacking and should have been in 3.0...

The Singularity Reactor Extreme. The wandering minstrel needs a new tale to tell.