So is there anything good about Dawntrail at all?

[AurisNix]

The content overall is by far the best we had in a long while, I dare to say is the best from all expansions all the dungeons and Trials even the solo instances felt different and enjoyable, MSQ is just a skip and idc about it anymore I look forward for the raids and savage and all the content announced. Ppl talk alot about the story like if they replay the MSQ million of times, I have no doubt that the New Game+ is one of the most unused features of this game, after a patch or a expansion drops the msq is only relevant for a about a month from the moment you start the rest of the time you just log to do your daylies, to raid, to RP or do any other content that is not MSQ. So idk MSQ sucks yeah but look forward to the actual good stuff that came in DT and the actual stuff you will be re doing in your sub time

[Eloah]

The story was objectively poorly written. Endwalker and Shadowbringers, the two expansions with the most lauded story, aren't perfect and have some pacing issues, but their reception was positive because the story was good and fulfilling despite that. Dawntrail's was an audiobook version of a 5th grade textbook chapter about Peru stretched for about 20 hours, then a remix of Shadowbringers pulled out of its butt at the last minute. Every single part of it fell flat.

I wont argue over how the story is written, as that is up to interpretation. I've seen people like the first half, hate the second, and vice versa. The story is divided, by design, but how it connects could've been better.

The main thing I think a lot of people seem to miss is the meaning of the overall narrative, which is the antithesis of Endwalker. Endwalker was about life having no meaning, so it should end. But Dawntrail is about life having meaning because it ends.

[Lium]

The story was objectively poorly written.

I think you mean subjectively. Because this is your opinion. DT is actually getting good reviews everywhere but here. It's not as good as ShB or EW and its flaws are being rightfully criticized. I myself gave the expansion a 7/10.

But the vast majority of people still find it good. Except those of you who post on the official forums. Who will literally complain about everything. I would say most of you would be happier playing WoW, but their forums are worse than ours. One glance over there and you would think it's the worst game in the history of MMOs.

[Amh_Wilzuun]

I've never seen the forums this bad. I'm only going to use it if I really need to give feedback, it's completely lost it's value as a way to discuss things.

[Nothv13]

I think you mean subjectively. Because this is your opinion. DT is actually getting good reviews everywhere but here. It's not as good as ShB or EW and its flaws are being rightfully criticized. I myself gave the expansion a 7/10.

But the vast majority of people still find it good. Except those of you who post on the official forums. Who will literally complain about everything. I would say most of you would be happier playing WoW, but their forums are worse than ours. One glance over there and you would think it's the worst game in the history of MMOs.

Really? It is sitting at 5.3 user score on metacritic.

[Lium]

Really? It is sitting at 5.3 user score on metacritic.

Yes, because user scores aren't impacted by review bombs or anything. An even then that indicates mixed and not overly negative.

Critics gave it an 81.

[genuine_stranger]

Yes, because user scores aren't impacted by review bombs or anything. An even then that indicates mixed and not overly negative.

Critics gave it an 81.

And critics aren't biased to rate it more favorably to continue to receive review codes in the future?

[Nothv13]

Yes, because user scores aren't impacted by review bombs or anything. An even then that indicates mixed and not overly negative.

Critics gave it an 81.

Imagine still taking critics serious this day and age.

[Aniise]

To come back to the question the threat started with: Yes, there are of course positive aspects of DT that I love.
For example the encounters and dungeons are great so far, I've enjoyed most of the music (even if some tracks are repetitive and some old ones are constantly reused, which irks me a little) and the launch was really smooth. i can't wait to start with the two Ex bosses. They look really promising.

The graphic update is...mh...
Well it has it's ups and downs. Some characters look amazing now but others look kinda uncanny and I can understand the frustration some players feel because of this. Also DT brought some technical problems with it like stutters and FPS drops (especially on PC) that haven't been adressed yet.

The story and bad voice acting are things that spoil the whole thing quite a bit for me though. Getting through the MSQ was really hard and only the thought of what comes after kept me going. :/

But I try to hope for the best, I still wish the negative feedback would somehow be recognized by the devs but oh well..we'll have to wait and see.

[Lium]

Imagine still taking critics serious this day and age.

Imagine putting any kind of stock in user scores. I mean, at all.