So is there anything good about Dawntrail at all?

[Lium]

Just finished the MSQ yesterday and this is my first visit to the forum since DT launched. I stayed off the forums because I didn't want to get spoiled, but I also assumed since the vast majority of people here do not like this game, that there would be nothing but negative comments here.

And the first thing I saw when I got back on the forums were numerous complaints about the graphics update even this was probably the only aspect of the expansion (along with the music) that has received near universal acclaim everywhere else. Even on r/ffxivdiscussion which is far more critical of the game than r/ffxiv. Or hell, even on r/mmorpg, which hates this game as much as you guys do. And they were quite complimentary of the graphics update. So, yeah. it appears I was right. (As an aside, my Highlander looks amazing since the update. Didn't even use my free fantasia because it looked that good to me.)

All that being said, I found the expansion itself to be...mixed. I actually enjoyed the first bits more than I did EW's first half, but then I hit a wall and it became a slog for me to get through. It wasn't just that the pacing was slow, it's that it was like watching paint dry. I can handle slow. And I don't need action all the time. But I just found it boring and uninteresting.

Then around level 95 the story picked up dramatically, and by the time I got to the final zone, the game had done a complete 180 and started hitting extremely hard emotionally. Far more than Endwalker, in my opinion.

But I still found the writing to be lacking in some parts.

Overall, I would give the expansion a 7/10. Below Endwalker, Shadowbringers and Heavensward, but above Stormblood. It's solid but I had issues with it.

[Leifei]

Try the expansion out for yourself. I'm currently at level 97 out of 100, so I'm finished with most of the current msq content. I'm enjoying it so far. I even had a couple of tear jerker moments. I feel like the surrogate older brother to Wuk Lamat. She improves as a person as the story progresses. The flow of battle in dungeons is as good as ever. Patiently waiting for what endgame brings when I get there. Cheers.

[Teno]

This thread reeks of toxic positivity. Job design is at an all time low, and this alone makes it a pain to play. I don't want a visual novel or afk game.

[Ramiee]

This thread reeks of toxic positivity. Job design is at an all time low, and this alone makes it a pain to play. I don't want a visual novel or afk game.

Yeah it's insane.
Level 90-100 was basically just all traits. There wasn't anything worthy of level 100 ability wise, this is a massive capstone and all we got was just boring 2 minutes burst CDs. If I was on the job design team I'd be embarrassed about this.

[Isala]

Yeah it's insane.
Level 90-100 was basically just all traits. There wasn't anything worthy of level 100 ability wise, this is a massive capstone and all we got was just boring 2 minutes burst CDs. If I was on the job design team I'd be embarrassed about this.

Dancer makes me cry. Our 96 ability was just "When you Flourish, your Standard Step is now instant cast." That's it. It still has a GCD. Still does the same damage, has the same effect. It just is instant cast. Which takes away the only fun part of DNC, which is, you know, the ACTUAL DANCES.

[Ratikal]

"Revisit" is a cool trait for Gatherer's.


Uh...that might be it.

[Ayer2015]

I've enjoyed the dungeons and trials so far. Also the graphical update is a massive improvement to the game.
The MSQ was mid.
Gamers complain.... A LOT....

[Emitans]

Best set of dungeons we've ever gotten with an expansion. Normal mode trials were fun as well (havent done the Extremes yet because my mouse broke) Music is great.

[Nicodemus_Mercy]

I've been enjoying Dawntrail immensely and I just don't get the Wuk Lamat hate. I think the real world could use more upbeat people who look for the good in others like her. Sure beats the alternative IMO. I have very little to complain about with Dawntrail so far. I'm honestly glad I didn't get a bunch of new buttons to add to the host I already have, and I am glad that my main job Sage didn't get turned into some complicated dps-wannabe like some want healers to be.

[Hallarem]

Dungeons - bosses = Fun
Sights, zones = Fun
Music = Hit and miss, some are great, some are absolutely horrible. Minus for Soken as a whole
Characters = Good, but execution was done badly
Story = Horrible shonen anime level mediocrity, the writers have watched too much anime and are spewing it all over the screen. It made me feel like they think the audience are children.
Graphics update = I've liked them so far, the environmental changes and character changes are good.

More enterable buildings would be a nice addition, the zones are great, but all the locked buildings just rob the zones of immersion.