Romance System

[Gula]

Based off the threads you've been making OP, I think you'd be better off with Fire Emblem Awakening. You have a voice, a backstory, and can have the waifu/husbando of choice. There's even FE Fates with even more options.

[Jaywalker]

Based off the threads you've been making OP, I think you'd be better off with Fire Emblem Awakening. You have a voice, a backstory, and can have the waifu/husbando of choice. There's even FE Fates with even more options.

Looked into this some, will second that OP probably will like Fire Emblem Awakening!

Can add a few other game options with romance available alongside varying levels of voice, backstory, and customization.

Dragon Age (Mainly Inquisition, but II and Origins/Awakening as well) both have this to varying degrees. Origins/Awakening you're mostly silent like FFXIV but you have stock phrases that get yelled in combat sometimes. Inquisition is fully voiced with multiple voice options, II is fully voiced with one default voice for male and one for female.

Pillars of Eternity (both the first and Deadfire, its sequel) both offer voices and character customization. Romance only comes into play for Deadfire but you have some backstory options pitched at the beginning of PoE.

Dragon's Dogma you're mostly not voiced, but you get two character designs, a bit of a backstory (not much room for interpretation) and you can pursue romance if you want.

In general though to Gula, I think part of the issue as someone coming from a similar standpoint is that frankly a lot of the other games I mentioned (can't speak for Fire Emblem Awakening) in the vein being described aren't as pretty as FFXIV, and/or are lacking a bit in some area or other. Dragon's Dogma characterization and romance are both kind of flat, although the monsters are fun imo. Dragon Age visually is much weaker across the board and sometimes has awkward points in terms of worldbuilding, character acting (body language), sometimes in dialogue, sometimes in terms of hamfist-y narrative choices. I do think it has stuff to offer too, but there are flaws. Pillars of Eternity the world and storytelling is solid and the voice acting of supporting cast is good but player character says less out loud and the combat/some visuals are limited.

While FFXIV might not be able to do everything OP has voiced interest in on a practical level, the favor system seems doable without imposing on people (and would honestly prob attract more players, which benefits everyone) while the backstory thing might be possible to weave in as the WoL goes through heavy stuff. If a supporting character pauses and goes "wait did you have a life before being WoL" or "do you ever miss home" and there are a few options including a "..." that would probably work out fine.

[Lacan]

I would love this. :v I pick Thancred.

[Jimmymagic]

OMG plz no!!!!! This would not go well....

[EliTheGunbreaker]

OMG plz no!!!!! This would not go well....

What if I told you it went just fine in Star Wars: The Old Republic? I do admit, the format of that game is quite different, but nobody is saying it has to be exactly like that. My point is, it exists there and nobody is complaining.

[Jimmymagic]

This is not Star Wars OR for one and two there will be others who complain promise. I like fantasy adding romance is just playing with dynamite with this diverse of a player base. IMHO

[EliTheGunbreaker]

This is not Star Wars OR for one and two there will be others who complain promise. I like fantasy adding romance is just playing with dynamite with this diverse of a player base. IMHO

"Promise?" Could you please elaborate on your opinions? Because I honestly don't see that much of a difference.