did the devs ever played the MSQ they did?

[Fyrebrand]

I don't know what to tell you, I like the MSQ and the quest structure. I wouldn't want every game to be like that, but it suits this FFXIV and what it's trying to be. Call it quaint, traditional, old-fashioned, etc., but so is the whole idea of a quest-based "holy trinity" MMORPG with tab-targeting and GCDs in 2023 I guess.

[Eastwall]

I think the story's fetch quest is fine as it is... But it got to stop locking content behind it. I did hw with new game+ recently. It is actually something enjoyable when l get to do it whenever l feel like it.

[VictorSpoils]

A bit confused here. Do you think you are above carrying boxes? Is the task beneath you are something?

The WOL rules with an iron fist. He should have legions of pissants carrying boxes for him.

[Ryskim]

For me, the only thing I dislike is those dialogue "choices" with unskippable sequences that are completely irrelevant and have zero impact on the story at all. Goes for some secondary quests too.

The outcome of the quest is going to be exactly the same, not matter what we choose. It's totally pointless and they should simply disappear.

BUT! for the first time ever... I got recognized as a RPR in the MSQ. Alphinaud mentions that during one of the guest "I see that you have taken up their art.." I was very impressed with this. It's not the usual thing.

[Jeeqbit]

Yoshi-P played through the Endwalker MSQ several times, including the sidequests. In fact, his reason for playing through it several times was to decide the best points to make the sidequests appear.

[keichirou]

oh wow....did you just critiqued msq?

look at what you did! all the zealots are swarming the replies now
dont criticize msq

[Absurdity]

oh wow....did you just critiqued msq?

look at what you did! all the zealots are swarming the replies now
dont criticize msq

Some of us have reached high enough levels of apathy that we no longer care.


On a more serious note though, I have thought about this every now and then since Stormblood because despite liking the story, actually doing the quests amounts to little more than tedious busywork to get from cutscene to cutscene.

It's not just the "boring" filler quests they add to pad out the MSQ's length either, it is the variety of objectives in general and how they play out.

Most quests fall into one of three categories: "Go to X and talk to Y", "Go to X and kill a mob", "Go to X and interact with a thing on the ground"
Occasionally you get a solo instance or a solo instance where you play an NPC, those are usually more interesting because the instance itself tells a story, even if playing an NPC is often incredibly boring.

But overall it feels like there is a distinct cut between the "gameplay" sections and the actual story sections, with the gameplay feeling like an obligation rather than a conscious choice to enhance the storytelling.

[Reap00]

I feel like this is only gruelling if you're trying to rush to get to the end, I never felt the fetch quests in Endwalker were that bad, except maybe that epic song going nonstop in Laby part 2.

They did the same thing at the end of Shadowbringers in Kholusia. I didn't like it there either. I don't know why they think its a good idea but apparently they think it works for some reason.

I just remembered something. If you think side quest pacing is bad in FFXIV you need to face the absolute worst display of side quest pacing ever which happens in FFXVI. Imagine you are slowly but surely building up to your huge battle with the main antagonist the entire game. You reach the ending and start the final interactions with this antagonist. There is a break in the battle. You return home for a moment to discuss strats before the final battle. At this moment when the game has all the foward momentum in the world the game drops 15 side quests on you. I will always remember that and never understand why. The sad part is the actual side quests are good but placed so poorly as you just want to get to your battle with the final boss.

[ThaCa]

They really should play through the MSQ as Healer to see how abysmal they feel in solo content.

[Themarvin]

Just stop yourself... the local communities inside the game is important too and it is those people we help as well to gain their favor for being the famous WOL, it is a part of any game, yes I agree some of them should never had been there or possible replaced with something else, but that is that and only a fragment of quests.

Quest sidelines and more to it, you are free to do, or do not, you don't need them for MSQ.