What is going on with Square Enix and the 14 team?

[KizuyaKatogami]

Honestly, this is an anime style JRPG game rated T for Teen. Sometimes it goes full anime. It happens. lol To expect anything less is foolish, in my opinion.

I mean it’s also a final fantasy game. And outside of like, the women dominated games i don’t recall magical girl or anime moments like this but it’s been awhile since i’ve played a few of them.

[Vahlnir]

I mean it’s also a final fantasy game. And outside of like, the women dominated games i don’t recall magical girl or anime moments like this but it’s been awhile since i’ve played a few of them.

It is an FF game, yeah, but they've added a good bit of anime flair to this one in places. Clearly they have slightly different plans for FF XIV in regards to how it presents itself. Good or bad, it is what it is.

And yet there are no small amount of games rated T that showcase more effective storytelling without having to constantly resort to tired tropes in such a predictable manner each patch.

You are 100% correct. And that is basically every other FF game on the market past and present. However, FF XIV hits and feels different because it is different in this regard. They've never tried to hide it, but they've definitely leaned into it more recently. Endwalker's story felt like a pretty cheesy anime at points. And by "at points" I mean most points. I enjoyed certain portions of the story, sure, but I wasn't oblivious to what was staring me right in the face.