6.2 MSQ Story Review

[Y2K21]

Not as different as all the other plot conveniences we had in previous expansions. Where we just so happen to be there in the right place and in the right time.

I think my issue is that the story goes too quickly on Zero's build up for my liking -- I think going from "the archfiends are eternal and we cannot kill them" to "lol memoria" within 5 minutes is a bit jarring. Whats the point of building them up as these feared commanders of the 13th when we get the solution dropped into our laps within the same cutscene?

[Jettinson]

I like that with Zero we reverse transformed her compared to Vaulthry's "ascension".

The 13th is nothing special per se but because we have a mixture of knowledge on the voidsent we faced and the First, it makes comparisons more on the nose.

The only thing I personally don't see is Zeromus, Golbez overstaying for 7.0, maybe an aftermath of what could possibly happen but we probably should see some new original character like Zero or something related to another FF title.

[Bhearil]

The alternative is that we wander around aimlessly for some time before finding our plot hook.

It's a story. Plot convenience is expected.

Plot convenience is expected but any roleplayer will say that theres a world of difference between organic leading and the "thou you must", and the plot has bended so hard for Zero shaenigans that is a miracle didnt break its spine by piling one "coincidence" over another several times on row.

Pacing and filler contents are a completely separate issue

[MagiusNecros]

I think the issue with 6.2 is that there is a lot of plot convenience going on with the new character that is really hard to ignore once you think about it:

1) Out of the entire 13th, Zero is located in the same domain as the WoL's landing
2) Zero was rather imprisoned instead of being killed or absorbed by the domain leader (who was already aggressive vs. the WoL by us appearing).
3) Zero is transformed back into a more mortal form due to Hydealyn's crystal and is shown to only be half-voidsent in a world completely overrun by voidsent.
4) Zero manages to evade becoming a full voidsent when the world fell to darkness and only was in the previous form due to Zenos' meddling
5) Zero has lost knowledge on how to defeat the main foe that NO ONE else knows or has been lost to time.

Some plot convenience is fine, but when you are adding so many layers to a brand new character in their introductory -- it comes off more as hamfisted.

It's out of the blue powercreep. Storywriting is taking a nosedive. And they needed another excuse to throw yet another "escort quest" they seem to be so fond of.

But I have this sinking feeling that Zero is going to take a wrong turn and turn into Zeromus.

The whole thing of "I just so happen to be the only individual able to turn voidsent into poprocks" is such a cliche bad anime trope to write it comes off as bad fanfic.

I'd go out of my way to say that Hildibrand Adventures has better writing.

Zero's personality or lack thereof boils down to "Dormammu I have come to bargain".

[aveyond-dreams]

I have no idea why people continue trying to argue about the way I or others phrase things and as always I have no intention of entertaining that line of discussion further because it would too easily derail the thread.

I'd rather Zero not become Zeromus, because in her absence we'd be once again stuck with the Scions who have long since overstayed their welcome. Even their fans agree with this. I'd like for her to remain a member of the cast and contribute to something of substance rather than just being along for the ride like the Scions felt they were in Endwalker.

[MagiusNecros]

I have no idea why people continue trying to argue about the way I or others phrase things and as always I have no intention of entertaining that line of discussion further because it would too easily derail the thread.

I'd rather Zero not become Zeromus, because in her absence we'd be once again stuck with the Scions who have long since overstayed their welcome. Even their fans agree with this. I'd like for her to remain a member of the cast and contribute to something of substance rather than just being along for the ride like the Scions felt they were in Endwalker.

I think Zero will become a Trust longterm. Zero has a few traits of the Maenads from FF4: TAY.

And I also believe that this Golbez arc is gonna be wrapped up before 7.0 happens given Scar was given the Anima treatment and Barbie was offed in 5 minutes of screentime.

Something will go down where you beat the 4 and something goes wrong and you end up having to beat the 4 in a gauntlet and end up later on fighting Zeromus.

Seems like that is where it's going.

Inb4 Golbez is also a memoriate.

[Atelier-Bagur]

I have no idea why people continue trying to argue about the way I or others phrase things and as always I have no intention of entertaining that line of discussion further because it would too easily derail the thread.

I'd rather Zero not become Zeromus, because in her absence we'd be once again stuck with the Scions who have long since overstayed their welcome. Even their fans agree with this. I'd like for her to remain a member of the cast and contribute to something of substance rather than just being along for the ride like the Scions felt they were in Endwalker.

"Even their fans agree with this"
Yeah, all 5 of them.

I've been perusing and consuming FFXIV posts and content online from various sources and literally the only people I see who think this are the minority here at the forums. There's more people that enjoy the Scions than people who dislike them.

[Zanarkand-Ronso]

I have no idea why people continue trying to argue about the way I or others phrase things and as always I have no intention of entertaining that line of discussion further because it would too easily derail the thread.

So its really that hard to just say "Imo" or "In my Opinion" or things like "I believe" Its really that difficult to make your wording crystal clear that you are speaking for yourself and stating your own personal opinion?
Its so difficult that doing so would Derail a the thread?

I know English is hard sometimes...but just Dam.
Would love to see you in a board meeting when people question you on "What do you mean People are Largely unsatisfied with the Scions? Do you have statistics for this or any proof" and you reply with "Well its obvious I was speaking for myself"

[aveyond-dreams]

All I know is that there was nowhere near as much controversy in the expansion where the Scions were largely absent, and now that they're shoved in our faces constantly there seems to be more pushback against them. Y'shtola is unlikeable and feels like I'm being spoken to by an elementary school teacher whenever she talks and I don't even want to think of how they'd reintegrate the twins into the story. I hope Cagnazzo turns them to stone or something.

Thancred has no reason to ever come back on screen, nor do I want him to. Urianger seems content to play with rabbits on the moon so I think he's better off contained in the upcoming Omicorn and Loporrit cafe beast tribe quests. G'raha Tia needs no explanation. His brief appearance in 6.1 and his general behavior on screen I find offputting. He is tied for my least favourite scion with Alphinaud, and I don't feel that including either in the story moving forward would be to the game's benefit.

We need better cast members, especially in terms of a male lead. Again, where's our Balthier? Our Locke? Someone dashing and charismatic?

[Zanarkand-Ronso]

We need better cast members, especially in terms of a male lead. Again, where's our Balthier? Our Locke? Someone dashing and charismatic?

How are they "Better" cast members besides filling a checklist of other Typical & Traditional RPGs that you liked?
And what motivations would they have fighting Voidsent? Some Charismatic Thief wouldn't want to just jump into saving the world out of nowhere.