Review of 6.3 Story Content

[Hurlstone]

Just finished up with MSQ and Alliance stuff. Though I did the latter on patch day. I'm still digesting the MSQ, so I want to refrain from starting/joining any arguments on that regard and I have only read the OP.

As far as the alliance raid goes, I was really hoping they would not link this to Venat and the ancients, and keep the twelve completely separate from that timeline. They went and did it though, and I feel it is lazy writing. I understand it would have taken a lot of effort to come up with a completely different storyline that is all their own, but that effort would have made it all the more worthwhile. The ancient's obsession with genocide definitely has me understand why Azem defected from both convocations, and I'm right there with them. It's like being part of a generation you're not proud of. Where this leaves me now if far less interested in the twelve than I previously was.

I can understand why people wanted the Twelve to not be related to Vanet/Hydaelyn (Even outside the whole hate she gets) and perhaps a twist would have been more intriguing, but I think it also makes perfect sense that they are connected. I like the idea that Hydaelyn knew the Sundering could wreck unintended havoc on reality and installed them on Etheirys like an anti-virus (Though why just on the Source… unless each Shard has their own version of the Twelve who protect them?). Its more little bits of info like that I want to see in regards to what we know about the Sundering and original Final Days, which is still very little. It is worth remembering too that we still have at least 1/3rd of the Raid story to go. We do not yet know the exact reason why they have revealed themselves and wish to battle us, and that may very well change how we see the information we received in 6.3.

My initial thoughts on the MSQ hasn't really waned from where it has been in a while, and the constant callbacks to previous FF games makes it really difficult for FFXIV to stand on its own two feet.

I must say that, whilst I have been enjoying the 6.x MSQ very much, I am a little disappointed in just how the FFIV elements are being used. Now I am fine with the game taking past game elements and incorporating them in their own ways (I also liked the Nier stuff) and I utterly adore what we have seen about the Thirteenth, Void culture, the Contramemoria ect, but the Fiends aspect feels a little lacklustre. Bit too ‘copy and paste’. Feels like they could do more to intagrate them into the wider fabric of the Thriteenth. Speaking of which, it kinda boggles my mind how the most interesting parts to the Four Fiends, their backstories and how they joined Golbez, is hidden in an optional side quest many will miss! At leats give it a blue ! so more people will find it...

I am very curious just how we will see Golbez by the end of this patch cycle. I still think they can do good by him, and I adore his voice actor.

[Gemina]

I can understand why people wanted the Twelve to not be related to Vanet/Hydaelyn (Even outside the whole hate she gets) and perhaps a twist would have been more intriguing, but I think it also makes perfect sense that they are connected. I like the idea that Hydaelyn knew the Sundering could wreck unintended havoc on reality and installed them on Etheirys like an anti-virus (Though why just on the Source… unless each Shard has their own version of the Twelve who protect them?).

The way I saw it is they are simply divinities true, as they themselves claim to be. And do not intervene with the affairs of mankind. The lore book describe Althyk as the first to come from the 'Whorl', and along with Nymeia gave birth to sisters Menphina and Azeyma. More would come to existence through whorl like Thaliak, with some going on to 'create' additional gods of the Twelve. Iirc Nymeia just created Rhalgr on a whim as creation was getting out of control. And then there's Oschon, who just popped up out of nowhere. Not even the other gods know where he came from. It's all so mystifying, and I love that. Were they around pre-sundered Etheirys, or did they come after? I felt it would've been ok to just leave these questions alone.

I feel the direction they are going is what leaves the potential for holes to pop up all over the place. Are they sundered as well? If not, how did they avoid it. We learned that Amet, Lahabrea, and Elidibus avoiding it was no small or easy feat. How does Emet know their true identities? Unlike my above statements, these questions do indeed need to be answered, or it leaves a giant hole. It's nowhere near as mysterious as the twelve just being gods, whom for some reason have decided to make themselves present to certain members of mankind.

I must say that, whilst I have been enjoying the 6.x MSQ very much, I am a little disappointed in just how the FFIV elements are being used. Now I am fine with the game taking past game elements and incorporating them in their own ways (I also liked the Nier stuff) and I utterly adore what we have seen about the Thirteenth, Void culture, the Contramemoria ect, but the Fiends aspect feels a little lacklustre. Bit too ‘copy and paste’. Feels like they could do more to intagrate them into the wider fabric of the Thriteenth. Speaking of which, it kinda boggles my mind how the most interesting parts to the Four Fiends, their backstories and how they joined Golbez, is hidden in an optional side quest many will miss! At leats give it a blue ! so more people will find it...

I am very curious just how we will see Golbez by the end of this patch cycle. I still think they can do good by him, and I adore his voice actor.

After a little more digesting, everything going on with Golbez, the archfiends, Azdaja (gorgeous dragon BTW) could have taken place during an intermission from the previous plot with Hydaelyn, Zodiark, and Endsinger. I know Yoshi and team wanted to move on, but it was without question very rushed. Garlemald, the 13th, and Elpis are each expansions within themselves. They could have put the story on hiatus to explore the Garlemald and Zenos, and the 13th and Golbez. Easily. They made Anima, and two archfiends dungeon bosses, and this could all have been avoided.

[Hurlstone]

The way I saw it is they are simply divinities true, as they themselves claim to be.

Thats fair. I can understand wanting to keep them mystical and divine as you say. Personally speaking though, I have been wanting an explanation on the Twelve ever since I played The Praetorium back in ARR haha. I really love how FFXIV has handled the idea of Gods with Primals. Its kinda one of my favourite fantasy tropes, dissecting the notion of Gods and their relationship with mortals. So far I like what they are doing with the Twelve, regarding their origin and how Dynamis may be connected to their changing forms. Though naturally will be keeping judgement until we know the full story. Alot still could happen.

I feel the direction they are going is what leaves the potential for holes to pop up all over the place. Are they sundered as well? If not, how did they avoid it. We learned that Amet, Lahabrea, and Elidibus avoiding it was no small or easy feat. How does Emet know their true identities? Unlike my above statements, these questions do indeed need to be answered, or it leaves a giant hole. It's nowhere near as mysterious as the twelve just being gods, whom for some reason have decided to make themselves present to certain members of mankind.

Personally speaking I am more happy with those questions being unanswered then the Twelves actual origins. Not to say I do not want those answers, I really do! Its clear that Emet knew about them, but did they know about the Sundering and the Rejoinings? My hope is we do get some answers in 6.5. Should also worth noting we are the type of nerds/fans who like to discuss the story on forums, there will be those ALWAYS asking and poking for answers no matter what the game gives us. Part of being lore fans!

After a little more digesting, everything going on with Golbez, the archfiends, Azdaja (gorgeous dragon BTW) could have taken place during an intermission from the previous plot with Hydaelyn, Zodiark, and Endsinger. I know Yoshi and team wanted to move on, but it was without question very rushed. Garlemald, the 13th, and Elpis are each expansions within themselves. They could have put the story on hiatus to explore the Garlemald and Zenos, and the 13th and Golbez. Easily. They made Anima, and two archfiends dungeon bosses, and this could all have been avoided.

Its certainly true that all those things could easily be expansions in their own right, and I would really have loved the Void in particular to be an expansion of its own. Then again I get that Yoshi wants to wrap the main story up now and explore new ground. I think it may depend on just what the next expansion is, and how much this current story will effect it. My current idea is we will free Azdaja and then accompany her to Meracydia in 7.0, but who knows. Could be that Golbez is being set up as the villain of that expansion over this.