2024 is going to be FF14's last chance to tackle its stagnating formula (PC Gamer)

[Jeeqbit]

I have to max out all my capped jobs... again

I like that to a certain degree because it gives me a reason to do roulettes again and play all the jobs.

I have to wade my way through tribe quests, custom deliveries, obtain flight in the new zones, etc. etc. etc... again

I just get flight while doing the MSQ, so by the time I'm leaving an area in the MSQ I've probably got flight already while traveling to quest objectives.

I have no interest in Viper

I mean, I'm not exactly gonna play it much because I'm a tank, but I will get to play it somewhat because of leveling all the jobs again.

I'm not all that interested in the story. Some of this might have to do with having no idea what their plans are, and essentially starting anew.

Probably is. The trailer doesn't seem interesting because it evokes memories of Island Sanctuary, something many regard as boring. It's only if you delve into the keynote pictures they showed of new areas that you see some more interesting areas, such as dark mountains, rocky areas and technology that makes it very different from what we see in the trailer.

I'm also tired of nearly every single Scion

I am too. Hopefully we'll meet someone new or not spend a lot of time with all of them. We're told there will be some sort of split, so maybe we'll only have to work with half of them.

I don't mind Estinien and G'raha so much, because they are newer than the others. But there's no reason why they can't all go surfing or managing the library at Old Sharlayan while we meet a new group of friends.

EX/Unreal trials, Gold Saucer GATEs (especially Slice is Right), and doing content with FC mates. Additional fun lies dormant and could be fleshed out if they would ilv sync trials, raids, and alliance raids so bosses don't melt and all of their mechanics are present. I just did the Endsinger trial for the first time since they updated it, and it was absolutely fantastic to experience as I did upon its release. How any trial, raid, and AR was allowed for the power creep to happen was proven to be a massive fundamental error on the part of the dev team.

All of this part is same for me.

Repeating the progression steps in the next expansion actually only serves to bar the way for me to continue to have the fun I'm already having. Too much of the game feels like an obligatory chore than it does actual progression.

That is a good point and there is an argument to be made that our level is getting excessive as well and not going to be very inviting for new players. We could just cap at a certain level and receive any new content as if it's a patch quest.

[RitsukoSonoda]

Why would anyone talk about this? Blizzard milks their players constantly for every dollar they can.

Because videos and articles with titles like "Blizzard says Diablo 4 Expansion will cost $100" gets sheep to click on them giving them ad revenue based on views.

[Gemina]

I like that to a certain degree because it gives me a reason to do roulettes again and play all the jobs.

I do enjoy the leveling process, but for new jobs. It is different when you max out a job and then *boop*, no longer maxed. I get that this makes way for new skills, but this is easily circumvented with new job quests that reward additional skills so that you actually earn them via playing your job rather than progressing the MSQ.

Probably is. The trailer doesn't seem interesting because it evokes memories of Island Sanctuary, something many regard as boring. It's only if you delve into the keynote pictures they showed of new areas that you see some more interesting areas, such as dark mountains, rocky areas and technology that makes it very different from what we see in the trailer.

The thing is, the WoL has achieved demigod status. Felling powerful foes such as Zenos, Endsinger, and Omega. He/she is also recognized by Midgarsormr and his brood. While I don't believe we need to continue with an existential level of threat, it still remains a huge question as to what can push the limits of the WoL without these stakes. At the very least, I am interested in how they are going to address this.

I am too. Hopefully we'll meet someone new or not spend a lot of time with all of them. We're told there will be some sort of split, so maybe we'll only have to work with half of them.

The female Hrothgar, perhaps? However, that was my thoughts with Fran and they have done nothing with her despite her highly positive reception. However they limit our interactions with the current Scions, it will be welcome and I know I'm not alone with that thought.

That is a good point and there is an argument to be made that our level is getting excessive as well and not going to be very inviting for new players. We could just cap at a certain level and receive any new content as if it's a patch quest.

Agreed. Though I do enjoy leveling content due to the fact that ilv bloat is not a factor. When Yoshi confirmed the new lv100 cap, I became disheartened at the fact that I was going to have to level my max jobs all over again. I believe that when the dev team felt that job quests were no longer needed, and that each of those stories have ran their course, the leveling process should have also reached stasis. Again, I know we all get excited for new abilities each expansion, but I'm not actually sure that obtaining higher levels has to be a requirement for this to take place.

[Jeeqbit]

The thing is, the WoL has achieved demigod status. Felling powerful foes such as Zenos, Endsinger, and Omega. He/she is also recognized by Midgarsormr and his brood. While I don't believe we need to continue with an existential level of threat, it still remains a huge question as to what can push the limits of the WoL without these stakes. At the very least, I am interested in how they are going to address this.

I've thought about that and I think the answer lies in how MMA fighters and boxers lose their winning streaks after becoming legendary for years, sometimes even to people that they underestimated.

You may be a demigod, but it is a constant process of training, not getting overconfident in yourself and not underestimating your enemy. Well, in the lore anyway. Obviously in reality SE will telegraph all the story content so that it's significantly less likely we'll die to it even on our first try.

that was my thoughts with Fran and they have done nothing with her despite her highly positive reception

That's actually a good point. Her introduction seemed more important than it ended up being. I think she might have had a cameo or been referenced in the Bozja story? But that's about it.

I believe that when the dev team felt that job quests were no longer needed, and that each of those stories have ran their course, the leveling process should have also reached stasis. Again, I know we all get excited for new abilities each expansion, but I'm not actually sure that obtaining higher levels has to be a requirement for this to take place.

If they do stop increasing the level, the best way I think of reducing it a little without much impact is to make the ARR level cap 30 instead. That is when the first expansion jobs start and when job stones are obtained, so it makes a lot of sense.

[StarRosie]

The thing is, the WoL has achieved demigod status. Felling powerful foes such as Zenos, Endsinger, and Omega. He/she is also recognized by Midgarsormr and his brood. While I don't believe we need to continue with an existential level of threat, it still remains a huge question as to what can push the limits of the WoL without these stakes. At the very least, I am interested in how they are going to address this.

It should be overall noted that save for a few instances (Like the last battle with Zenos. Even then that fight was...technically a draw.) we have not solo'd an extremely powerful being since Thordan. Maaaybe the Warring Triad. (Nidhogg's trial description is kinda vague on if we had help or not...) But, we explicitly have help in things like Endsinger and the Omega raids. Hell, Omega actually came within an inch of killing the WoL. But Midgarsormr intervened. And it's made very clear that Cid's invention was key to beating Omega. Hell, if not for the Dynamis surge, the Endsinger basically had us beat. They have been pretty clear on writing in that we have help in these big world ending fights, and have been since Stormblood. Don't get me wrong, we are powerful, but not demigod powerful. Anytime we clash with the likes of Endsinger or Zodiark, we have help or something gives us a temporary boost, or both. They're going to have a tough time threading the needle when it comes to proper stakes, but we can have lower level threats without it feeling like we've been nerfed.

[Boblawblah]

It should be overall noted that save for a few instances (Like the last battle with Zenos. Even then that fight was...technically a draw.) we have not solo'd an extremely powerful being since Thordan. Maaaybe the Warring Triad. (Nidhogg's trial description is kinda vague on if we had help or not...) But, we explicitly have help in things like Endsinger and the Omega raids. Hell, Omega actually came within an inch of killing the WoL. But Midgarsormr intervened. And it's made very clear that Cid's invention was key to beating Omega. Hell, if not for the Dynamis surge, the Endsinger basically had us beat. They have been pretty clear on writing in that we have help in these big world ending fights, and have been since Stormblood. Don't get me wrong, we are powerful, but not demigod powerful. Anytime we clash with the likes of Endsinger or Zodiark, we have help or something gives us a temporary boost, or both. They're going to have a tough time threading the needle when it comes to proper stakes, but we can have lower level threats without it feeling like we've been nerfed.

Can you give me an example of a low level threat that actually felt threatening to the WoL without it feeling contrived/cheap?

[Gemina]

It should be overall noted that save for a few instances (Like the last battle with Zenos. Even then that fight was...technically a draw.) we have not solo'd an extremely powerful being since Thordan. Maaaybe the Warring Triad. (Nidhogg's trial description is kinda vague on if we had help or not...) But, we explicitly have help in things like Endsinger and the Omega raids. Hell, Omega actually came within an inch of killing the WoL. But Midgarsormr intervened. And it's made very clear that Cid's invention was key to beating Omega. Hell, if not for the Dynamis surge, the Endsinger basically had us beat. They have been pretty clear on writing in that we have help in these big world ending fights, and have been since Stormblood. Don't get me wrong, we are powerful, but not demigod powerful. Anytime we clash with the likes of Endsinger or Zodiark, we have help or something gives us a temporary boost, or both. They're going to have a tough time threading the needle when it comes to proper stakes, but we can have lower level threats without it feeling like we've been nerfed.

I don't disagree about the soloing, and I believe it hasn't happened much since receiving Azem's crystal from Emet Selch. However, the WoL's status as a demigod doesn't come from his/her ability to solo powerful beings but rather from the fact that their limits and abilities transcends those of normal mortals. A demigod is still mortal, and subject to mortal limitations. I wasn't trying to make the WoL sound like an actual god.

Omega's termination vessel is an interesting point that exemplifies this point about the WoL. Omega could not figure out how a being with the limitations they have was able to consistently surmount challenges of beings with much greater power. It ascertained that only when the WoL's life is threatened does he/she go beyond their limits, but it just doesn't work that way.

Some people refer to Midgarsormr's intervention as a dues ex machina, but my own perspective had me look at it as the answer Omega was looking for is actually exhibited here, and it missed it. When Omega threatened to terminate the WoL, Alpha tried to intervene before Midgarsormr, but failed. However, this exhibited that those who believe in the WoL come to his/her aid at a time of need. It is a power known as the power of influence. It is fair to say that in both fiction and non-fiction, individuals could not have accomplished the deeds they have without this power, and those without it ultimately fail in their endeavors. The WoL inspires normal people to become better versions of themselves, and provide strength to those who lack it. This power influenced even The Great Wyrm and his brood. It might not be a power that can destroy a planet, but it is one that can certainly prevent that from happening.

[StarRosie]

Can you give me an example of a low level threat that actually felt threatening to the WoL without it feeling contrived/cheap?

The special Sin Eaters from the ShB role quests. They're not strong enough to be Light Wardens (Fights that required we bring allies to help), so if left alone they wouldn't continue the crisis of light on the First. But they WERE strong enough to warrant being dealt with by at least you and a buddy like Giott. I would consider them to be low level threats, since they are dangerous and warrant attention. But you could also just...leave them be. And they felt reasonably strong enough to be threats, but not world ending ones. I'd also possibly argue the Bozja stuff like Queen Gunhildr or Diablos Armament. They are major threats, but not cosmic level world ending threats like Endsinger.

I don't disagree about the soloing, and I believe it hasn't happened much since receiving Azem's crystal from Emet Selch. However, the WoL's status as a demigod doesn't come from his/her ability to solo powerful beings but rather from the fact that their limits and abilities transcends those of normal mortals. A demigod is still mortal, and subject to mortal limitations. I wasn't trying to make the WoL sound like an actual god.

Omega's termination vessel is an interesting point that exemplifies this point about the WoL. Omega could not figure out how a being with the limitations they have was able to consistently surmount challenges of beings with much greater power. It ascertained that only when the WoL's life is threatened does he/she go beyond their limits, but it just doesn't work that way.

Valid and my mistake on the misinterpretation there. And I both agree and disagree to some level. I can see what you mean by the power of influence, but I would also argue in the Omega example, that Midgar moved also because of his own belief in Hydaelyn and therefore his belief in her champion. But that's a whole different debate I think. I do agree that the WoL has hit a point of going beyond normal limitations, but I don't think we're at that point at all times. Like I said, they are pretty clear on when we're hopped up on some sort of power-up, contrived or not, so I feel there's room for us to still be challenged in some way.

And with Hydaelyn gone, possibilities open up for some threats that she could've been keeping in stasis like Zodiark. Maybe not on Zodiark's sheer power levels, but still a threat. Overall, I think there are possibilities for some sort of reasonable threat, but it'd be a fine line for the writers to tread. Though I think we are also only looking at this in terms of things to fight. The threat could be someone who uses the WoL's ability to influence others to do some serious damage in some way. A more intellectual threat than a straight up brawl. Again, possibilities are there, but I'm starting to ramble.

[Atelier-Bagur]

Can you give me an example of a low level threat that actually felt threatening to the WoL without it feeling contrived/cheap?

Zenos technically in Stormblood. He was just some strong ass guy at that point in time.

[Solakor]

Keep posting these. The fact is that the game needs to give more content or dial back the homogenization to keep the content relevant more than 1 patch.
We know that the game is worse than it was and if they dont change something the game is gonna wither into oblivion with the content + class homogenization.
Ppl might be rooting that worse design is good for now but it serves no one to make the game worse in the long run.

I would advice everyone to watch misshapen chairs vids because they tackle the issues that are hindering the games design.