6.1 MSQ showcases the narrative problems that continue to plague the game's story

[Ransu]

Sounds great. The way that they should have done this patch was having us go to a bar like we did at the beginning but actually meeting our new party members there. Something like that 1.0 cinematic where we get a taste of the Season 2 cast. We go hunt for treasure in the dungeon, actually get to keep the treasure instead of yet another super dooper altruistic endeavour, and finish off with a campfire scene where we get to learn more about their backstories. Then at the end they can tease the void.

Instead they opted for whatever 6.1 was, bringing back the same stale old characters who've been around for the last 10 years. At least they teased us with the void, but given the writers' mission to subvert our expectations no matter how late or how sudden, there's a good chance we'll end up somewhere entirely different in 7.0.

You talk about scions being poorly written and then type out the most cliche plot point ever with "new" companions that you'd likely equally complain about. Sounds like FFXIV story telling just isn't for you.

omg yes, yes omg yes.

I'm still bitter that over the course of 10 years of fighting Primals, Gods and beings with power that is beyond our comprehension, everyone was so wrapped in plot armor they were never in any danger. It took so much out of the story that it took all the tension out of the msq. I mean, prior to the fight with Emet, he rained giant pointy things on the scions and missed every single one of them. During the final days, not a single hair was lost, not even a single tear in their jackets.

While I didn't want any of the scions to die, well except Y'shtola, Alphinoob and Graha, having them all come out without even a scratch was infuriating. I would have much rather had some main characters die here and there to make the story better and more intense, than just rolling my eyes and thinking "oh golly gee no" whenever one of them got "hurt".

That being said, they can still exist in the world, we could still see them here or there, which would make sense since they disbanded and want to keep their heads low, but nope, can't have that cause reasons. The story has all kinds of issues beyond this and anyone who is not blinded by sheer devotion can see it. But they really should have taken the XI approach and given us a brand new cast of characters with minor interaction between us and the scions every once in a great while with each new story and expansion from here on out.

Its 6.1 and the start of a brand new story....We're not going to get major plot points and potential new characters introduced until the patch right before 7.0 or in 7.0 proper.

[MicahZerrshia]

Its 6.1 and the start of a brand new story....We're not going to get major plot points and potential new characters introduced until the patch right before 7.0 or in 7.0 proper.

Why not? There is literally nothing stopping SE from doing so, except SE. There was a finality to the end of 6.0, they even said they don't want to be seen together. But what was the very first thing they did? One scion sure, but nearly all of them?

They could have easily put us in a situation where we meet some new companions. I mean, have you ever read a prologue before? Many authors will keep the main protagonist and put them in an entirely new situation because they can. They are the author, there are absolutely no literary rules stating, "When finishing one story, you must keep the same characters while introducing a new story".

Stop making excuses for poor writing, planning and execution. the white knighting has been one of the biggest detriments to this game and it's really showing.

[TaleraRistain]

Why not? There is literally nothing stopping SE from doing so, except SE. There was a finality to the end of 6.0, they even said they don't want to be seen together. But what was the very first thing they did? One scion sure, but nearly all of them?

This is unfortunately one of the disservices in 6.1's presentation. It wasn't the first thing they did. It has been some time after 6.0 in 6.1, but they didn't convey that really at all and it was only mentioned in interviews. I can't recall if they said weeks or months. So at that point, we haven't seen these people for an extended time and we have all been off on our own pursuits that weren't shown, the WoL included.

[Ransu]

Why not? There is literally nothing stopping SE from doing so, except SE. There was a finality to the end of 6.0, they even said they don't want to be seen together. But what was the very first thing they did? One scion sure, but nearly all of them?

They could have easily put us in a situation where we meet some new companions. I mean, have you ever read a prologue before? Many authors will keep the main protagonist and put them in an entirely new situation because they can. They are the author, there are absolutely no literary rules stating, "When finishing one story, you must keep the same characters while introducing a new story".

Stop making excuses for poor writing, planning and execution. the white knighting has been one of the biggest detriments to this game and it's really showing.

Because its post patch content? This is how they have always done it. They have small story introductions with each patch that sets up the major story of the upcoming expansion. You're not going to get the meat of a story in a post expansion patch. That doesn't make it poor writing, its just you being impatient, but then again you're probably the same type of person that then complains about "lore dumps"

[aveyond-dreams]

Because its post patch content? This is how they have always done it. They have small story introductions with each patch that sets up the major story of the upcoming expansion. You're not going to get the meat of a story in a post expansion patch. That doesn't make it poor writing, its just you being impatient, but then again you're probably the same type of person that then complains about "lore dumps"

Less talking more doing things please. The budget that was blown on Estinien putting his foot on a balcony - which somehow was one of the most expensive scenes to make in Endwalker - should have been allocated to major events that aren't been shown on screen.

Anima transformation/summoning sequence?
The Hydaelyn vs Zodiark fight?
Hydaelyn or Zodiark's transformation seque-oh wait nevermind Y'shtola got one instead when she nearly went full Sailor Moon in 6.1 and the only thing missing was her saying "Moon prism power."

Goodness. Seeing the thing on screen will always be better than just another lore dump from Y'shtola or Urianger.

[MicahZerrshia]

Because its post patch content? This is how they have always done it. They have small story introductions with each patch that sets up the major story of the upcoming expansion. You're not going to get the meat of a story in a post expansion patch. That doesn't make it poor writing, its just you being impatient, but then again you're probably the same type of person that then complains about "lore dumps"

We were told new story, new companions and neither of these were new. They could have done plenty, there was nothing stopping them from having us being introduced to new npcs by that dude at the bar or the other dude at the bar, or from the leader of Rad at Hans. But they defaulted back to old characters. And its fine, we could have met with a few scions for some more info or something. But they did the exact opposite of what they said they were going to do and ppl are still making excuses for them. And talking about it is like talking to a wall since so many ppl take it personal. Guess what, its not. We want this game to do well because we actually care about it, which is why we are all sitting here talking about what they could have done different and questioning why they did it the way they did.

We complain because we care, which is something I am having a hard time believing SE does or the ppl who want to defend all their decisions to the death. But hey, if you insist this game's story be a half baked manga, it looks like you are going to get your wish.