Revelations from Patch 3.56

[Theodric]

To be fair, SAM does appear to be what many people are more excited for. I think there's a lot of merit behind the concern that RDM, along with many of the other caster classes, hasn't really been given much time in the spotlight by comparison. As an example every time the Warrior of Light is shown in a cinematic he's some flavour of 'physical' combatant; namely: Archer, Warrior, Dragoon, Monk and Samurai.

[Veritas-Ancora]

Agreed on 2.55. Comparatively, it left a very strange taste in the mouth because we "weren't" allowed to go to Ul'dah and "weren't" allowed back in Mor Dhona and still we walked around without anyone saying a thing for a few months.

In 3.56 it feels like they didn't even bother to try, and this worries me about Stormblood. We still don't know enough about the other worlds from Warrior of Darkness, and we still don't know why Urianger plays this weird wild card in the group, and we haven't grieved even for a moment about Papalymo (seriously she hit a button, wow that's dramatic). There's so many holes that aren't tied up and yet here we are, heading beyond the wall trying to find a machine that we already deactivated because reasons.

Remember the Baldesion island that suddenly vanished, and we haven't cared even for a SECOND about that?? Why didn't we explore it? Where did it go? There's zero threats to the East right now and there's plenty that we're ignoring completely.

[ChocoFeru]

See those feet there, perfectly human looking. Would be normal to assume the primal is Rharlgr, given Ilberd's origin and the resistance's prayers.

To be honest, I see no feet there D: maybe you confused the "lances" on the background!

[Hinoto-no-Ryuji]

The Warrior of Light, Scions and their key allies are not without blood upon their hands. How many have perished for not subscribing to their particular brand of 'progressive politics', particularly in Ishgard? We literally saw them waltz into a nation with a rich culture and history and enforce reform.

We didn't enforce anything. Reform came about as a natural progression - Thordan was overthrown, and his replacement, who gained power entirely through his own merit, opted for a republic.

I really think you "dark and gritty" people are freaking out over nothing. I can't emphasize how much the conflict hasn't even started yet, but because every step of the way isn't an episode of Game of Thrones you're up in arms. But that said, this is not a low fantasy game. The grit is, and always was, pretty limited. Again, I have to question how much you want this game to be something that it really just isn't.

[Torquil]

Agreed on 2.55. Comparatively, it left a very strange taste in the mouth because we "weren't" allowed to go to Ul'dah and "weren't" allowed back in Mor Dhona and still we walked around without anyone saying a thing for a few months.

I just walked around in a black robe for three months (true story, but I'm wierd :P)

[Belhi]

Agreed on 2.55. Comparatively, it left a very strange taste in the mouth because we "weren't" allowed to go to Ul'dah and "weren't" allowed back in Mor Dhona and still we walked around without anyone saying a thing for a few months.

In 3.56 it feels like they didn't even bother to try, and this worries me about Stormblood. We still don't know enough about the other worlds from Warrior of Darkness, and we still don't know why Urianger plays this weird wild card in the group, and we haven't grieved even for a moment about Papalymo (seriously she hit a button, wow that's dramatic). There's so many holes that aren't tied up and yet here we are, heading beyond the wall trying to find a machine that we already deactivated because reasons.

Remember the Baldesion island that suddenly vanished, and we haven't cared even for a SECOND about that?? Why didn't we explore it? Where did it go? There's zero threats to the East right now and there's plenty that we're ignoring completely.

They passed of the 2.55 ending simply by saying that popular opinion seemed to be highly sceptical about the accusations towards the WoL so most people simply ignored it and most guards either felt wrong about the order to detain the WoL or were just too scared to try it themselves. It was a situation where if we kept our heal low and didn't hang around one area too long we could avoid attention.

In 3.56 they did deal with mourning a bit. Infact most of Yda/Lyse's involvement involved her dealing with the loss. The others dealt with it as well in different ways. Y'shtola threw herself into her work and went to comfort Yda/lyse. We haven't seen Thancred so we don't know about them. Tataru made several comments about struggling not to cry. Even the secondary scions who have taken it upon themselves to 'hold the fort' and keep an eye on the domestic concerns while we are focused on Ala Mhigo had dialog about them dealing with Papalymo's death.

We are heading into Ala Mhigo cause war is almost certain with Garlemald and the Alliance has decided that its best to attack now rather than wait for retaliation, because one of the most powerful magiteck weapons we know of is currently somewhere in Garlean held territory and we have a Calamity scale Primal who we have yet to confirm a kill on. That's more than enough reasons to head across the wall.

As for what is left behind, how exactly do we explore an Isle that has vanished? What we last heard of it, it was hit by a magical attack on the scale of Ultima and Ascian involvement was all but confirmed. The beast tribes are as passive as they are going to be. We have no info on the Ascians to act on. The Dragonsong war is over. I think a potential war with Garlemald is almost certainly the current top priority.

As for the Far East, I think it will be our encounters with Zenos that will lead us there. They said we will need to learn more about him to fight him and a katana wielding Legatus makes me very suspicious that we will find that he has some secret left behind somewhere in the Far East.

[Theodric]

-snip-

You misunderstand, not everything has to be 'dark and gritty'. That would be excessive and boring - nor does a game have to be 'low fantasy' to be dark and gritty. If political intrigue is going to be a major plot point moving forward - as it always has been - then not having everything wrap up perfectly in Eorzea's favour would be pretty neat.The Archbishop and his loyal knights were clearly intended to have a point from their perspective. Unfortunately we didn't get much opportunity to actually see that - and the likes of Ser Zephirin came across as psychopaths despite later being revealed in the lore book to be honourable and loyal to their people and country. Nobody is 'freaking out', either and I doubt that they're losing any sleep over this - they're simply voicing an opinion that happens to differ from your own and expressing some concerns with the direction and quality of the storytelling. Understandable, given the nature of this thread and where it's posted.

Again, the patch wasn't without redeeming qualities. The Yda reveal was genuinely surprising to me and the fight scene between Omega and Shinryu was very satisfying and did a great job at laying the groundwork for seeing the consequences of their battle during Stormblood.

[Lunafreya]

I really liked the ending D:

[Masekase_Hurricane]

I actually like that we have been left with more questions than answers going into Stormblood.

[CyrilLucifer]

snip.

Pretty much this.

The same goes with Igeyorhm. The lore book had some neat background on her, on how she is ashamed and seeks redemption by working even harder for her cause - yet in-game she lacks any such presentation. Depth to both sides is something I appreciate in storytelling, not necessarily "grit" and "edginess."
I think it's fair to want both sides to be equally represented, with our side not always being the squeaky clean victor (which 3.4 and the WoD did a lovely job of and I hope to see more of in the future).