Regarding Rhalgr's Reach [SPOILERS]

[Enkidoh]

What would they update, and why would Rhalgr's Reach need new buildings/upgrades and such if Ala Mhigo is free now?
Genuinely curious

Well, it would still be an important settlement, given it's close proximity to the rest of Eorzea it still could serve as a important waystation between Gridania and Ala Mhigo, also remember the Resistance has been encamped there for over ten years, they even buried their dead there - for that time it was basically Ala Mhigo for all intents and purposes. So even once they accomplished their goals, it doesn't mean "that's it, lets leave this place and never return," it would still be important not just as a settlement but for sentimental value. And if for nothing else, it would serve as a memorial to those who lost their lives in the 25 year struggle for liberation, especially Zenos's attack on the place.

Also I can confirm the game does phase Rhalgr's Reach's environment depending on where you are in the story - I returned to Gridania straight after the battle with Zenos and then went back to Rhalgr's Reach a short time later to continue the story, and there were other players around oblivious, while the whole place was still in ruins, with wrecked magitek armour and discarded weapons stuck in the ground, and npcs lying injured around the place. So the game definitely can handle showing it differently for each player depending on where they are in the storyline.

[DreamAngel-Ren]

Also I can confirm the game does phase Rhalgr's Reach's environment depending on where you are in the story - I returned to Gridania straight after the battle with Zenos and then went back to Rhalgr's Reach a short time later to continue the story, and there were other players around oblivious, while the whole place was still in ruins, with wrecked magitek armour and discarded weapons stuck in the ground, and npcs lying injured around the place. So the game definitely can handle showing it differently for each player depending on where they are in the storyline.

I was in awe when I reached to that part in the game; it was very cool yet chilling at the same time because those poor new players have no idea what's going to happen and they're just running around like everything's okay while I'm over here like, "CAN'T YOU SEE WHAT JUST HAPPENED?! WHAT'S WRONG YOU WITH YOU PPL?!" Lol