Mao has question for everyones about DDR-style boss fights.

[Ceridwenae]

Mao... ( <3 )

In general, I want to agree with you, Mao. However, I can't fully, since I've generally stopped being able to play regular instanced content - even just story dungeons - because of the graphics. I've been able to fine tune a lot of it, but it's all still too much, especially since the graphics were updated. Before then, I was beginning to have problems with my reaction times, but blind me as well where there's little I can do but turn the effects off and hope for the best, and I am not having a good time. I was sticking around to see if things got better, and even if they did, it's just not enough. I've spent from Dawntrail's release up until the other week to level all my jobs, by FATEs and bounty hunts alone. No dungeons. I can't do roulettes reliably because of graphics, therefore I can't even see if I can improve on my reaction times, which would be what I would do back in the day.


Then I hear the most recent trial prevents a player from taking part if their ilevel is not sufficient, and if I can't do roulettes for the tomes to get the most recent gear, or repeatedly run the recent dungeon for gear (which is certainly one way to eff the flow of your story beats), then it seems that it was smart to unsub, which I did last week, albeit ahead of finding that information out. This game just ended up making me really feel my disability. I would've really liked it if I'd had the option to retire altogether from the combat-oriented part of the game so I could just craft and gather, but noooo, everything must be forcibly tied to the story and inherently incredibly restrictive. Couldn't possibly think of alternative way of playing or doing things. If I wanted to do the things I enjoy, I actually have to get my husband to first jump in my seat and play my character for me - and you know, that does not feel good. We've done that for some time, for various odd instances, but now it's every time there's a dungeon or trial just in the MSQ, I'm saying no, it's not worth it anymore. I want to do things myself. I want to be able to take part properly, and I just can't.

So I'm currently playing ESO, and for various reasons, am finding that much better - for now, at least. It'll probably try to burn my retinas at some point, but currently I'm getting stuff done in a game which has me feeling actual joy that FFXIV hasn't since I don't know when. Suffice it to say I AM HAPPY. A change is as good as rest. Itches are definitely being scratched. I am not saying ESO is a better game, or anything like that, it just is functionally better for me for now. I at least feel vaguely competent in a way FFXIV has been preventing me from.

Additionally, ESO didn't delete my house when I didn't play for a few years which should not be a revelation, but here we are.



EDIT: So I know this thread was about the faster paced nature of the combat, and I've talked about not even being able to get to that point, but maybe I'm suggesting looking elsewhere for a break or a different way of playing? Just for a little bit. Sometimes it actually makes you better at figuring stuff out in other games, is all. As in, play a different game to FFXIV, but with different combat, and if or when you get back to FFXIV, you might find you can do some things better than before? I don't know, we're all different so it's hard to say, but I know that before I got blocked by allegedly better graphics, I found taking time out to play a few days of GW2 or ESO improved me a bit in FFXIV. Eh, YMMV.


For myself, unless they give better options for the graphics, it's unlikely I'll be able to fully take part again in FFXIV (so it'll be down to if my husband wants my help in a treasure dungeon or something), but that's not the case for most people, so maybe it'll help to do something else for a bit instead.


Anyhoo, I hope you are happy in your endeavours, Mao.