Do you think Kugane will suffer the same destiny as Ishgard?

[Bourne_Endeavor]

If the devs insist on stuffing all endgame related items and content around one area, yes. Mor Dhona and Idllyshire are populated because we're never given a reason to be elsewhere. Once you've finished the MSQ, why visit Foundation unless if you're doing job or side quests? While I do like the convenience of everything in one hub, it's a little sad some of the huge cities wind up ignored.

[Texa]

@kisai: Technically the other world in FF X was the farplane. FF X Ultima Omega said Tidus's Zanarkand did exist out in the ocean somewhere, it's confusing.

As for Ishgard, the city has some nice architecture but overall it's very grim, grey, cold, and uninviting. It had the perfect atmosphere for HW'S story, but Kugane looks much more lively and visually interesting.

[Dyvid]

Since ive first seen Kugane i was quite exited about that place, probably like most others here. I started to imagine how it will be and such things. However one thing that keeps me worried is that i fear that Kugane will just suffer the same destiny as Ishgard soon after release of Stormblood, because there will be a new equivalent to Mor Dhona/Idyllshire that will be used as "endgame" area and so Kugane may end up being a ghost town like Ishgard as soon as the majority of the playerbase reaches the expansions endgame. That would be a shame but i think that will be most likely the case?! What do you think?

Yea, I didn't care for Idyllshire and was disappointed Ishgard wasn't the main city. Seems kind of pointless to spend all that time building a huge city only to abandon it.

[Silverquick]

With V4.0 I suspect we will find Ala Mhigo (where the Hyur Highlander come from) under the same kind of conditions of FF6's South Figaro.

From the sounds of things, Kugane, sounds like Japan on a smaller scale. It also likely fits the theme of a city-state that nobody has managed to conquer.

Honestly I don't dispute the portion about Ala Mhigo, That's more along the lines of completely losing sympathy for them due to Ilberd's (and other Ala Mhigan''s) actions rather than any FF feel. In FF6 South Figaro wasn't embroiled in chaos or ruled by tyrants or get suckered like that... and the people weren't so fanatical they would knife their allies in the back for the sake of it. Figaro was something you could actually get behind and sympathize with in FF6.

Its more that Kugane.... though interesting, just doesn't feel very FF like. And the story around it at present doesn't really do it either.

I know it should, but its just not clicking really.

[Texa]

Honestly I don't dispute the portion about Ala Mhigo, That's more along the lines of completely losing sympathy for them due to Ilberd's (and other Ala Mhigan''s) actions rather than any FF feel.

Figaro was from a SNES game and its presentation of the kind of situation it was in was something that would really just work in a limited SNES game scope. Real world revolutions against imperialism are not bloodless, black and white, or simple. I would ask everyone to avoid any specific irl ones because discussions about real life situations of that caliber really don't belong on a video game forum. There is no such thing as a perfect victim, they shouldn't lay down and take everything for their stance to be just. Having you feel like Ala Mhigo's people are nothing but innocent victims who want the warrior of light's personal help would not be good writing.

[Silverquick]

Figaro was from a SNES game and its presentation of the kind of situation it was in was something that would really just work in a limited SNES game scope. Real world revolutions...

I get that,

But at the same time I really just have no more sympathy for Ala Mhigans. I did for South Figaro.

The other thing that strikes me as feeling off... for some reason Kugane feels more like China than Japan. Its really wierd... but it does. Granted once I get in and walk around it, that may change. But thats my initial impression.

[Felis]

Kugane

Pro:
Housing area
Market Board

Contra:
No Grand Companie to give in gear for seals

[Belhi]

Honestly I don't dispute the portion about Ala Mhigo, That's more along the lines of completely losing sympathy for them due to Ilberd's (and other Ala Mhigan''s) actions rather than any FF feel. In FF6 South Figaro wasn't embroiled in chaos or ruled by tyrants or get suckered like that... and the people weren't so fanatical they would knife their allies in the back for the sake of it. Figaro was something you could actually get behind and sympathize with in FF6.

Its more that Kugane.... though interesting, just doesn't feel very FF like. And the story around it at present doesn't really do it either.

I know it should, but its just not clicking really.

Did you feel the same about Ishgard? We had quite a lot of jerks who messed with us on the Ishgard front. Its not like all Ala Mhigans have been jerks to us. To of the Hyur scions we have dealt with the most are both Ala Mhigan (though they never really looked at if Minfilia felt any connection to her homeland). Raubahn is a decent ally and friend.

Ironically Doma and Kugane are referenced from an earlier FF game if I understand correctly so its kind of funny that they wouldn't be FF like. Honestly I don't think we have seen enough of the story to be able to tell if it is FF like. We don't even know for sure why we go there yet.

[Texa]

The other thing that strikes me as feeling off... for some reason Kugane feels more like China than Japan. Its really wierd... but it does. Granted once I get in and walk around it, that may change. But thats my initial impression.

A lot of it is probably the colors and how close together and huge the pagoda are. There's a few places in Japan that look kind of like it

but nothing that's as colorful on that scale.

[Waliel]

The benches next to the Aetheryte in Jeweled Crozier in Ishgard was totally my favourite place to idle much of HW.