Final Fantasy XIV doesn't actually have that good of a story

[KageTokage]

There being lots of filler is a valid point, though they've cut back on it quite a bit post-ARR (And even pruned a lot of it from ARR itself) and largely shoved the menial tasks into optional quests. It being a flaw inherent to the MMO genre is a valid point, though.

I've regularly felt emotionally invested in things regardless of there being spoken dialogue or not. Story is not the game's sole or even primary focus, so I wouldn't expect it to be as good as some others in that regard in the first place.

The whole "no sense of urgency" thing is present in virtually all of the other FF games and several others outside of the series, and is honestly almost omni-present in games that are not completely linear from beginning to end. Railroading the player into plot progression in anything other then a strictly story-driven game that has no grinding whatsoever is generally a bad idea.

Those things said, I still have personally found the story to be one of the most enjoyable in the franchise due to all the nuance and nigh-constant sense of intrigue due to all the mysteries present in the world and its cultures that have gradually unraveled as time has gone on. I'd agree it's probably not one of the best stories in gaming as a whole, though.

[tatatatatata]

There being lots of filler is a valid point, though they've cut back on it quite a bit post-ARR (And even pruned a lot of it from ARR itself) and largely shoved the menial tasks into optional quests. It being a flaw inherent to the MMO genre is a valid point, though.

I've regularly felt emotionally invested in things regardless of there being spoken dialogue or not. Story is not the game's sole or even primary focus, so I wouldn't expect it to be as good as some others in that regard in the first place.

The whole "no sense of urgency" thing is present in virtually all of the other FF games and several others outside of the series, and is honestly almost omni-present in games that are not completely linear from beginning to end. Railroading the player into plot progression in anything other then a strictly story-driven game that has no grinding whatsoever is generally a bad idea.

Those things said, I still have personally found the story to be one of the most enjoyable in the franchise due to all the nuance and nigh-constant sense of intrigue due to all the mysteries present in the world and its cultures that have gradually unraveled as time has gone on. I'd agree it's probably not one of the best stories in gaming as a whole, though.

This is why I enjoyed the stories in linear games the most. FF13 definitely created a great sense of urgency until you reach Gran Pulse because of its linear nature. The story isn't the best, but I definitely felt a lot of tension when playing through FF13. I do agree the lore in FF14 is probably one of the best in the franchise though.

[CKNovel]

I definitely felt a lot of tension when playing through FF13.

Ah yes, I remember the great tension of Sazh big scene right after he looked so happy in his kart.
XIII has a false sense of tension, I can't remember a scene where you actually need to rush, always felt like walking was enough. Other time, simply felt like there was no danger.

Cyberpunk wasn't a great game, but the story and character writing was good. It has flaws, character writing ain't one.
FF7R IS a good game that I recommend, while I do agree Nomura really made a massive mistake that ruined the finale, it doesn't invalidate the rest of the game.

[Wolven_Essence]

There being lots of filler is a valid point, though they've cut back on it quite a bit post-ARR (And even pruned a lot of it from ARR itself) and largely shoved the menial tasks into optional quests. It being a flaw inherent to the MMO genre is a valid point, though.

I've regularly felt emotionally invested in things regardless of there being spoken dialogue or not. Story is not the game's sole or even primary focus, so I wouldn't expect it to be as good as some others in that regard in the first place.

The whole "no sense of urgency" thing is present in virtually all of the other FF games and several others outside of the series, and is honestly almost omni-present in games that are not completely linear from beginning to end. Railroading the player into plot progression in anything other then a strictly story-driven game that has no grinding whatsoever is generally a bad idea.

Those things said, I still have personally found the story to be one of the most enjoyable in the franchise due to all the nuance and nigh-constant sense of intrigue due to all the mysteries present in the world and its cultures that have gradually unraveled as time has gone on. I'd agree it's probably not one of the best stories in gaming as a whole, though.

Honestly the only games where there is any sense of urgency at all are completely linear games with little to no exploration. The only times I have ever felt any urgency is at the very end of a game when it is going into that very last part leading up to that final confrontation.