Patch 7.4 MSQ was Good. Bravo.

[TeresaFortell]

I would suggest you stop reading this thread and finish Arcadion.

Regardless of my opinion, you should see how it unfolds with the least amount of external opinions in advance to influence your view.

Now that I've done it, I feel that it is not really that much of a disappointment. I get that they tried to build a villainous character, but with so little screentime, I don't think it really mattered much in the overarching narrative.

[CNitsah]

My 2 cents

- the early quest(s?) belonged in 7.3.
- Story was entertaining enough, they continued to reimagine FFIX, instead of quoting it (basically, I'm saying we're closer to what was done with the weapons or the warrior triad than the FFIV thing).
- Dungeon was relevant story wise and not a filler. Glad they used the 6.2 trick to make the dungeon the area.
- Trial was entertaining. Might not be the hardest, but definitely fun (the other train fight being one of my favourite raid ever, I guess train bosses are my thing now).
- Krile at last got the light she deserved.

Overall, I'm rather positive about the msq. I always said the MSQ being bad never was the main FFXIV problems (to me it's all about lacking enjoyable content with shelf life), but better story doesn't hurt. I'm kinda not against a 9th reflect expansion anymore.

[hydralus]

I enjoyed it. My only gripe is that they need, NEED to do something else with Krile. Please for the love of God girl you can't spend your 20s like this.

[Voidmage]

Can't say anything bad about the MSQ.

The lore and story was great and told nicely.
We actually had a good amount of gameplay, an amount I hope will be the norm going forward because it really helps not only in giving something else to do but also is a good tool in telling the story itself.

Krile got much needed focus finally and I truly liked the new characters.

For the very last scene it was an interesting call back actually and seemingly does confirm one of my own theories about the shards and our old "friends".
I genuinely look forward to how the story continues and am not unhappy to be done with Tural personally.


For Arcadion:
I also liked it and also the twist personally.
Imo by far better than some of the fan theories out there and a good balance between the American wrestling setting (which I am not a fan of) and a serious story.

7.2 gave me hope again, 7.3 cemented it and now I am sure that they have learned their lesson and the MSQ is on the right track again.

[RedLolly]

I'm shocked by the Arcadion hate, too. It was a delight from start to finish. Corny as all hell, fights were magnificent, music was top notch, so much care and attention put into it and the mood felt like the summer vacation vibe I expected from Dawntrail. It's an absolute highlight for me.

[TaleraRistain]

I enjoyed 7.4 MSQ and seeing more focus on Krile was lovely.

I actually liked the Arcadion finale. I don't even follow wrestling but from observing it outside I could see it was a very wrestling story conclusion. Also enjoyed the dichotomy between stage personas and real personas we've seen along the storyline. And we saw at the end that the Arcadion is going to change because Alexandria is changing but will still be able to entertain and delight and help people forget their troubles for a bit.

[Aneshda]

Why was Wuk Lamat in this patch? Why were the twins in this patch? Where are Thancred and Estinien?

The MSQ wasn't good. I felt like all they did was talk, and I wondered when the exciting stuff would finally start.

Then we went to the "Mist," and lo and behold... it was just a tiny place with a cave. Surprise: You can't just explore this cave because it's instanced and a dungeon! The new dungeon is low-budget, I'd say. Small, with two groups of mobs in front of each boss. Then you get to Treno through the dungeon, and bam, the next disappointment. Tiny, small, absolutely nothing to explore. Everything in a straight line, just don't stray from the road. All the houses were closed, one of them had a slightly open window, and as has been complained about several times before, no furniture, no decorations, just nothing in the house. You know what's boring? A game where you can't do anything at all. I'll say it again and again: Dawntrail was an empty, soulless shell.

There was nothing to explore in any of the maps. Not even the tiniest bit. This game is called Final Fantasy, and I wonder where the fantasy went? Dawntrail is like a fever dream, and the little bit of MSQ that was there is then split into two parts.

Let me be frank: by the time 8.0 comes out sometime in 2027, the player base will have halved again. How does Yoshi P. intend to save the game?

I'm really tired of this kindergarten-level expansion. And this has nothing to do with burnout. I started playing WoW, currently Legion Remix. And it's more fun than Final Fantasy. In every previous expansion, I looked forward to the patches.
I eagerly awaited every Letter from the Producer LIVE and watched it for hours. In every previous expansion, I completed all the dungeons, raids, and trials countless times, and I maxed out Frontline everytime with 2 Chars.
I farmed all the materials myself for every new armor, weapon, piece of furniture, and home decoration you could craft, and then crafted the latest armor, weapons, and so on for every job, always equipping my armor with maximum materia.
I rewatched cutscenes countless times and listened to the expansion music in my apartment. I often just flew around the maps and participated in countless FATEs or treasure maps.
I completed all the MSQ and side quests, as well as all the Allied Society quests. And I didn't do any of that in Dawntrail.
From the minute I heard the music in Tuliyollal, I turned it off completely. I turned it back on in every new map, but it didn't get any better. Since then, I haven't turned the music back on at all.
I used my second character to cope and that I have something left to do in this Game. I leveled up extra slowly, completed all the MSQ extra slowly, and now I've seen the first bit of Dawntrail—the quest where Erenville gets off the ship with Wuk Lamat.
And what can I say? I just can't bring myself to continue with the MSQ. I simply can't. It's like PTSD. Sorry, but DawnTrail triggers me so much that I'm filled with total hatred.
I think it's because I invested so much time and money and then got such a terrible expansion and there is no light at the end of this tunnel. How many more chances does Yoshi P. deserve before there's no turning back?

[Veritas-Ancora]

Agreed! I finally found myself enjoying the story again. Krile story should've been part of 7.0, but nevertheless, it was a good story, good writing and fun characters. I loved learning about the Milala.

I agree. Krile deserved so much and I'm glad she's got her time in the limelight for almost the entire patch. I look forward to seeing more of Krile and where this story takes us.

I think there's also a greater emphasis on the key, which intrigues and excites me. We don't know exactly know what we can do with it but that intrigue is what made Final Fantasy XIV so interesting up through the Zodiark/Hydaelyn story. It kept us wanting more.

[Raikai]

Done the Arcadion. It was good until the last portion.

Not that I thought it was terrible, but they could've done SO MUCH more with what they had for the big mystery of the story. IDK what happens in the works, but it feels as if it was written by a different person. Maybe not and that was the intent from the get go, but surely feels like it.

Why was Wuk Lamat in this patch? Why were the twins in this patch?

Even if you don't like them, they need to have a resolution. The story can't simply ignore those characters - and frankly, they were handled in an excellent way with just enough (short) screen time to resolve that.

[Auroracuno]

Count me among the Arcadion enjoyers. I thought it was a great finale. I know it's unlikely to happen but I'd love to see what the other fighters' fused forms looked like at some point, even if it's only concept art.

Does anyone know which feral souls Red Hot and Deep Blue utilized?