MSQ Needs Further Condensing

[Garnix]

I think there's a lot of story elements that could be tweaked to be entirely optional without impacting the overall narrative. In single player RPG's - which FFXIV is often lauded as mimicking within this very thread - the player typically gets to choose which characters they choose to bond with over others. FFXIV has the unfortunate habit of shoving certain characters down the player's throat even if they do not care for them and would rather spend time with other characters who are no less important but get sidelined.

For example, I'd happily ditch any bonding with Alisae and G'raha. I don't care for either of them. If the narrative gave me more opportunities to bond with Hien or Thancred, however, I'd happily embrace them.

Well, in a lot of single player RPGs, this is true. However, in single player Final Fantasy, it isn't really. Stories and character interactions in Final Fantasy games have always been very linear and rarely ever presented any choice to the player...

[Theodric]

Well, in a lot of single player RPGs, this is true. However, in single player Final Fantasy, it isn't really. Stories and character interactions in Final Fantasy games have always been very linear and rarely ever presented any choice to the player...

In most single player Final Fantasy games, if a particular character annoyed me for whatever reason, I could usually shelve them outside of mandatory plot relevant events. I didn't use Quina in FFIX and I wasn't forced to outside of rare occasions. I didn't like Vaan in FFXII, so I ran with Basch, Ashe and Balthier when the game allowed me to do so.

In the end, the busywork of fetch quests has simply been replaced by the busywork of spending time with specific characters. It'd be fine if it was less biased, though I don't care for either Alisae or G'raha and recent patches have forced my character to interact with them when I do not wish to in ways that aren't even relevant to the overall plot. In fact, we're stuck playing babysitter at points where I'd much rather go digging for information.

[Reyketi]

In most single player Final Fantasy games, if a particular character annoyed me for whatever reason, I could usually shelve them outside of mandatory plot relevant events. I didn't use Quina in FFIX and I wasn't forced to outside of rare occasions. I didn't like Vaan in FFXII, so I ran with Basch, Ashe and Balthier when the game allowed me to do so.

In the end, the busywork of fetch quests has simply been replaced by the busywork of spending time with specific characters. It'd be fine if it was less biased, though I don't care for either Alisae or G'raha and recent patches have forced my character to interact with them when I do not wish to in ways that aren't even relevant to the overall plot. In fact, we're stuck playing babysitter at points where I'd much rather go digging for information.

I don't dislike all of the characters, but I must say, generally, I do not care about them, in any capacity.

Final Fantasy XIV could use a soft-reboot, with the addition of new characters, replacing old ones, or improving upon the ones currently presented in the MSQ, in my opinion.

Best Wishes

-Reyketi

[Garnix]

Final Fantasy XIV could use a soft-reboot, with the addition of new characters, replacing old ones, or improving upon the ones currently presented in the MSQ, in my opinion.

In FFXIV terms, that's simply called an expansion.