Final Fantasy XIV doesn't actually have that good of a story

[Jkap_Goat]

I have lost so many friends, so many people, so many potential friends, because I'm one of those who just don't like the story and saying that will always give you a black check on your name, and people will consider you a troll, a hater, someone who doesn't like jrpgs, and as someone who absolutely loves jrpgs since they were a child I always suffer hearing that. Because having a different opinion is not allowed and this left me alone, distrustful of everyone because knowing that all I needed to cause major ripples within my friends and I, was to simply say "I don't like the story".

I wish more people would respect my opinion for disliking the story as I respect theirs for liking it. But that doesn't exist in today's era: you're either a troll/hater for disliking something others like, or a complete fanatic who has to acknowledge everything, even the flaws.

Just had to let this out and since I'm quitting the game soon so it won't matter if people will search me out ingame to tell me I'm a horrible person: I will be gone elsewhere and hopefully for good.

Edit: had no idea this was a 2 year old thread, but I guess it's a good timing since I'm leaving. I take it as a sign to finally move on.

Edit 2: just to clarify, I'm only quitting the game, the dramatic tone wasn't intended: leave the poor gamer some slack for letting out something they kept for ten years, will you?

I'm so sorry, I truly am and they seem like they wasn't your true friends in the first place, and friends can agree and disagree, and have opinions. Your better off without them and you deserve better.

Friendliest community until you dont like something about the game and burst their perfect bubble

[kcj]

And yet, Yoshi P doubled down on insisting that all players need to go through the MSQ in an interview recently.

Why? So they can make $50 off of new players...

And my response to that is....

[LilimoLimomo]

It's all going to be subjective, but narratively:

ARR isn't a great intro to the game world. It's clunk, it's derivative, it's fine. The "good guys" are framed as right but written as bad guys, and the "bad guys" are generally little more than cartoon villains. But there are summons and spells and chocobos. It's not amazing, but it is a Final Fantasy MMO.

Then Heavensward comes in and actually has a story to tell. It's not perfect, but it's a good story. And the one-note allies you've been hanging around with start to have some depth and character development. It's easy to miss if you were already feeling down on the game in ARR, but if you're open to it, Heavensward is a good ride.

Then Stormblood comes in and thinks it has a story to tell, but it does not. It will force you to follow around an angsty, privileged, naive kid who never learns any lessons and eventually gets everything she wants without needing to grow. Unrelated, the story will present you with the overarching problem that needs to be solved, and then it will entirely forget about that problem and you'll magically solve it without rhyme or reason. The expansion has opinions on being oppressed that are politely summarized as "unfortunate".

And THEN if you've made it this far, Shadowbringers walks in the door. And it makes the smart decision to be an isekai, meaning we can just forget about most of the things that didn't work in the previous expansions and just start fresh. And it's great. It's the best Final Fantasy story I've ever played. It has numerous compelling and interwoven themes that are explored well. It has villains that are well-realized, with motivations and perspectives that aren't without their merits. It has character growth and development and nuance. I have no notes.

And then, Endwalker. It is no simple feat to be the act that follows Shadowbringers, and similarly it's no simple feat to wrap up a decade of (sometimes sloppy) lore and storytelling with a ribbon, but Endwalker does surprisingly well. Narratively it's not as good as Shadowbringers, as it has some rather glaring plot holes and its villains aren't compelling. But it mostly makes up for its lack of narrative cohesion with the way it explores its singular weighty theme via vibes. And that exploration changed my real life for the better.

I'm glad I played FF14. At times it has been bad, but there have been some very good — and even great — stories and ideas that I've been able to experience because of it.

[Koros]

Friendliest community until you dont like something about the game and burst their perfect bubble

In the real world, we all call them snakes

[Batbrat]

I have lost so many friends, so many people, so many potential friends, because I'm one of those who just don't like the story and saying that will always give you a black check on your name, and people will consider you a troll, a hater, someone who doesn't like jrpgs, and as someone who absolutely loves jrpgs since they were a child I always suffer hearing that. Because having a different opinion is not allowed and this left me alone, distrustful of everyone because knowing that all I needed to cause major ripples within my friends and I, was to simply say "I don't like the story".

I wish more people would respect my opinion for disliking the story as I respect theirs for liking it. But that doesn't exist in today's era: you're either a troll/hater for disliking something others like, or a complete fanatic who has to acknowledge everything, even the flaws.

This is like the most insane thing I've read in a long time. Not because of you, more like, just the idea that people this fragile even exist lmao. Imagine getting THAT worked up and defensive over media. Like?? Did these people have careers?? Families?? What critical thing was missing from their lives that they took it that seriously-because something for sure was wrong with them. Others have probably said it, but I'll say it too.

Someone who always needs you to agree with them about everything isnt your friend. They're not capable of friendship or love for anyone other than themselves. It's a huge narcissism red flag, needing yes-men that badly. Needing to be coddled and kept in a bubble of everyone agreeing with them that severely. They'll only like you as long as you reaffirm and validate whatever dumb sh is rattling around in their weird heads. It's perfectly fine to dislike the story or love the story or feel or think whatever you may feel or think on your own. If someone calls you a troll for it, just know they're a creepy control freak and get outta there. Not someone you'd want in your life at all to begin with anyway. Shouldnt have to walk on eggshells like a domestic violence survivor over a damn video game of all things. Seek normal friends.

[Bellsong]

XIV story so bad they just had to copy TTGL in the end.

[Kazhar]

XIV story so bad they just had to copy TTGL in the end.

At least TTGL had the audacity to kill half of its cast during the last act. The hope vs despair conflict felt earned there.
EW's last act had no stakes at all despite the extremely melodramatic tone which lasted for hours.

("Libera me" from hell > Close in the Distance)

[kcj]

For anyone insisting that the MSQ helps you to learn the mechanics is selling you a bridge. It's the various duties, most of which you spend 2/3 of the time dodging AOEs that teach you mechanics.

[Striker44]

For anyone insisting that the MSQ helps you to learn the mechanics is selling you a bridge. It's the various duties, most of which you spend 2/3 of the time dodging AOEs that teach you mechanics.

At least for the last few expansions, aren't many of those duties required parts of the MSQ?

[kcj]

At least for the last few expansions, aren't many of those duties required parts of the MSQ?

But if you buy the Story skip, they still remain doable. If memory serves, most of them are re-doable under Duty Support.