Rhalgrs Reach should never have existed

[fulminating]

The problem with rhalgr’s reach is pacing, it’s Kugane and generally othard that should never have been added. If resources hadn’t been burnt on a shallow holiday to zenos’s second house, we could have had an ala mhigo hub with marketboards, an undercover in the empire section and more in depth exploration of the empire not seen until bozja. Instead we got a two bit despot who’s only interesting as a contrast to another character half a world away and some lizards living in a giant teacup. Unfortunately this would remove the namazu from the story, but that’s just the cost. Given how advanced garlemald was portrayed with the medicine and cars, it would have been a way to introduce non-violent technology and further set up the cerulean fuel plot points dawntrail is likely to explore.

Keeping it in ala mhigo would also have allowed further parallel to be drawn between zenos and the warrior of light through npc conversation. Is he viewed as a walking weapon or admired by the population? No one knows because by the time it’s explored he’s destroyed their empire which probably has reduced the general opinion of him. There’s no accusation of hypocrisy over the scion puppet states and cia-style regime replacement when compared with imperial towns, just that air current quest in Ala banana.

The ruby sea is a whole lot of nothing, same as azim steppe, the former relying too hard on the diving mechanic to have room for much interesting zone design and the latter just a medium size field that doesn’t even achieve the oppressive agoraphobia they seemed to be aiming for. Since it’s inaccessible without diving, why not have underwater tunnels or caves there too, rather than just splashing around in the saucer?

[JohnLakeside]

The problem with rhalgr’s reach is pacing, it’s Kugane and generally othard that should never have been added. If resources hadn’t been burnt on a shallow holiday to zenos’s second house, we could have had an ala mhigo hub with marketboards, an undercover in the empire section and more in depth exploration of the empire not seen until bozja. Instead we got a two bit despot who’s only interesting as a contrast to another character half a world away and some lizards living in a giant teacup. Unfortunately this would remove the namazu from the story, but that’s just the cost. Given how advanced garlemald was portrayed with the medicine and cars, it would have been a way to introduce non-violent technology and further set up the cerulean fuel plot points dawntrail is likely to explore.

Keeping it in ala mhigo would also have allowed further parallel to be drawn between zenos and the warrior of light through npc conversation. Is he viewed as a walking weapon or admired by the population? No one knows because by the time it’s explored he’s destroyed their empire which probably has reduced the general opinion of him. There’s no accusation of hypocrisy over the scion puppet states and cia-style regime replacement when compared with imperial towns, just that air current quest in Ala banana.

The ruby sea is a whole lot of nothing, same as azim steppe, the former relying too hard on the diving mechanic to have room for much interesting zone design and the latter just a medium size field that doesn’t even achieve the oppressive agoraphobia they seemed to be aiming for. Since it’s inaccessible without diving, why not have underwater tunnels or caves there too, rather than just splashing around in the saucer?

I'm just started Stormblood and I'm both worried and excited for how the game will handle its anti-imperial story. It's interesting you bring up CIA style regime replacement because I've been getting that vibe too. On the other hand, I've heard lots of praise for the anti-imperial story from people from actual post-colonial nations and how they were very moved by Stormblood and even Ala Mhigo.

I'd be interested to hear more of your thoughts on the politics of FFXIV.