I don't think the game's direction is sustainable anymore (ending spoilers)

[Ririta]

Next we'll fight fox girl who became so very angry that her pet hedgehog died that she traveled to the empty, an area beyond any universe imaginable but that's not an universe by itself, and started using dynamis to cause the heat death of all of the multiiverse and make sure that not even a single particle is capable of ever having life again for infinity + 1. Her dynamis also affects all of time so both of the past and the future will freeze to death, then she will separate all of its particles into quarks and eventually even the quarks will be destroyed, thus destroying the concept of universe itself.

Either that or we fight bandit #563967 that, like, has a knife.

[Andy_T93]

I feel like people are maybe missing the OP point which is a valid one, ultimately they have two options for the next plot, Another world ending huge threat which just seems a bit tired and devalues the one we have just stopped, or they go small scale and make it more local (my preferred choice) but doing this will seem trivial compared to what we have just been through

[Kaurhz]

My only fear is that they will struggle to maintain the level of consistency and presentability with the story. This expansion was impeccable.

Regarding the whole "The next big bad is not really possible" esque question. I'd like to think this is in part where Zenos served a great purpose. As much as I disliked him, he served a great purpose in that he helped keep our character somewhat grounded. I'm sure they have plenty of big-bads to come. But personally for me it isn't about how big and bad the enemy is, but rather simply the questions and speculation it incites along the way.

If I've taken anything from this expansion it is not to underestimate their creativity as it pertains to story telling. I never thought they'd pull half of what they pulled in this expansion. Let alone where they could go from here.

[Hyperia]

I loved the expansion and while they said they have plans, I can’t shake the deep down fears that they will end up like Marvel post End Game. This was definitely a high point and I really worry that it will go down from here for some time.

[ForteNightshade]

Something to be mindful of is Natsuko Ishikawa has only continued the existing storyline. If they keep her onboard as the permanent lead writer, she'll have an opportunity to literally start her own epic from the very beginning. Considering how near unanimously well-received her writing has been, I'm fairly content to see what she'd be able to craft from the ground up.

[Sceros]

Honestly, there are some rather easy solutions actually in regards to story & power. Our character clearly was displayed as still vulnerable - he just, for some reason, still came out on top. If there is anything to worry about, for me, it is the engine. However, FFXIV, in theory, could always be remade because that is actually kinda what it's origins are. And with remade I mean: as long as we keep our classes and some form of progression along with a good amount of content, they can launch ffxiv 3.0 along with a full new modern engine and stuff. Maybe that might even be the very best thing for them to do. Because - and this I have to admit - overall, I am very fond of my character and the world(s) they have created. I would not want to give anything away. But keeping my character and getting a remade world? I would always take it :3

[Mortime]

While we as players have ended most threats to the realm the writers have left ample means to return them also. Yes the ascians are gone by large, however not all are gone. And while Elidibus stated that he doesn't believe that the ascians without the lead of the unsundered are able to finish their great work he doesn't outright say that it is impossible. Also while we got our hand of the "job" stones of ascians there is no telling that those were the only ones. I mean if they have spare then they can technically even bring Emet-Selch or Elidibus back should they reincarnate back into the world. And while we're on the subject of ascians and reincarnations then it is also stated in the magic dps questline that primals retain the memories of their previous summons. So technically given the need they could even just pop Zodiark or Hydaelyn back into the game. So yeah they tied most loose ends together however they have left plenty of ways to sneak fan favorites back in should there ever be a need for it.

[Gruntler]

Another story would require another decade to tell to reach the same gravitas and scope of 'Hydaelyn and Zodiark' so no, I don't think we'll just go off and do another thing on that scale.

We'll probably do what we've always done. Start with lowkey adventures and hijinks that escalate into saving the world from yet another time, and then go back to our lives.

But I think we're told at the end exactly what the plan is--exploration. We have a lot of the universe to explore, so let's explore it.

Endwalker was, and should be, the peak, narratively. I don't think they should try to outdo Endwalker, but instead, tell a new tale. We got our masterpiece.

[Juun]

If you make a compelling story that draws you in, you dont need a bigger bad or rehash the same old each time.

[Warlyx]

time to travel to other reflections!