What's Final Fantasy?

[Zantetsuken]

On the lack of explorable territory: perhaps the biggest issue is that although the world of FFXIV is impressive, there isn't much to see in it. It is a combination of the copy-paste terrain with the fact that there are only 5 texture sets for landscapes.

One of the things that struck me about the world of Eorzea is the lack of history in it - especially when compared to FFXI.

Whereas the life of a player in Vana'diel was spent uncovering a very rich past buried in the landscapes, cities, and dungeons.. the world of Eorzea is a frontier world. There are no monolithic structures from ancient civilizations or tombs of fallen kings, nor are there ancient libraries with sealed magic, or cursed temples with puzzles and traps in FFXIV. Rather, the focus is either the (rather mundane) issues of the present such as industry and politics or on omens of future threats.

The focus on the present and future may also be one of the reasons why the cities in this game seem so dead. As the main outposts on a frontier world, they are designed more for industry and trade than for culture and enjoyment of the citizenry. As they are, the starting nations serve little purpose outside from being glorified outfitters for adventurers.

[SuzakuCMX]

On the lack of explorable territory: perhaps the biggest issue is that although the world of FFXIV is impressive, there isn't much to see in it. It is a combination of the copy-paste terrain with the fact that there are only 5 texture sets for landscapes.

One of the things that struck me about the world of Eorzea is the lack of history in it - especially when compared to FFXI.

Whereas the life of a player in Vana'diel was spent uncovering a very rich past buried in the landscapes, cities, and dungeons.. the world of Eorzea is a frontier world. There are no monolithic structures from ancient civilizations or ruins containing the ghosts of fallen warriors in FFXIV. Rather, the focus is either on the present issues (which often seem a bit trivial) or on omens of future threats.

The focus on the present and future may also be one of the reasons why the cities in this game seem so dead. As the main outposts on a frontier world, they are designed more for industry and trade than for culture and enjoyment of the citizenry. As they are, the starting nations serve little purpose outside from being glorified outfitters for adventurers.

The cities are not on the frontier. The frontier is Mor'dhona. Even Coerthas is not a frontier, as it is where Ishguard is. The closest frontier right now is Mor'dhona and I think that and maybe Mistbeard Cove are it. Quest hubs, which will be implemented "soon," are going to be the settlements that lead you to quests on the frontier.

[Zantetsuken]

You haven't seen the whole thing yet.

There is plenty more copy-pasta over the horizon~

[Zantetsuken]

Considering that maps of the Eorzean continent appeared for the first time a mere 70 years ago according to the story, I would call it a frontier world.

But regardless, other than the ruins of the ship in Mor Dhona and the structures around Ishgard, there is virtually nothing on the landscape that would lead one to believe that any sort of civilization had been there for more than half a century.

[SuzakuCMX]

Considering that maps of the Eorzean continent appeared for the first time a mere 70 years ago according to the story, I would call it a frontier world.

But regardless, other than the ruins of the ship in Mor Dhona and the structures around Ishgard, there is virtually nothing would lead one to believe that Eorzea has had any civilization in it older than half a century.

70 years for such a small world...

[Shai]

Ugh. I was writing a long post that ate itself. Let me attempt reconstruction.

I think as far as "world changing" events driven by player actions - XI's CoP is the best example, though it is prevalent all over XI, but take for example - the plot unlocked new zones as well as functions that were exclusive to those who were more accomplished than others. At a certain plot point, Tavnazia & Jeuno begin to share an Auction House. It makes sense within the context of the game, and only players that far in the story have access to it.

This actually led me to suggest to SE implementing ways to upgrade and host features at Camps. Doing series of quests or missions or behest points - any way to "buy" upgrades to the camp that are only available to the players who upgrade it. The NPCs can already exist and talk about "trying to set things up" but player-driven questing and working would unlock them (such as vendors, chocobo or carriage rentals, retainer bells, and other conveniences to have "in the field") and I think that would be a great idea though I'm not sure how difficult it would be to implement per character.

This does drive me to one thing that XIV does well. Mechanical game changes are represented in the game and with lore and context which I think is an impressive and refreshing upgrade from XI. There is a Side Quest given by a guard of Uldah where upon you learn he is peeing his pants about the drastic and unexpected change in size of the monsters. (I keep an in-character journal and I also thought it may be a Garlean plot so I laughed at this guard). It's fun that they bring a wealth of lore to even aesthetic and mechanical changes. The GM & Alfgar event is another good example. This is great and I hope it never goes away.

...but that isn't player driven (like my idea). It's just the world changing around us which makes it feel more alive, but it doesn't make us feel more apart of it (yet).

[rho]

great post!! i totally agree with what ff is and not what it 'should' be. thank you for linking those videos Eldaena, i truly enjoyed watching them and ohhhh, the memories...

[Eldaena]

great post!! i totally agree with what ff is and not what it 'should' be. thank you for linking those videos Eldaena, i truly enjoyed watching them and ohhhh, the memories...

Glad you liked it. ^^

[Shai]

I really want to play the International releases.

The additional content of both X-2 and XII sounds like games I would enjoy a lot more than their original incarnations.
I wish Square Enix would do something about that in my lifetime. Make them accessible somehow.

[Procas]

Hey! Nice way to remind us what really IS a FF game. When Yoshi-P said he wanted to bring some FF spirit to the game I thought, "Yeah, thats what this game really needs.. "Thats the reason why , posts like <<" Hey developers: I want the ability to jump, and change jobs in the middle of a battle, and also I want pvp and flying, and riding cars, and becoming a two head dragon and also I would like you to make grinding easily, but still challenging, and I want orcs, and blood mages and....">> make me really upset. It's like: this is a Final Fantasy... right? At some point this game is beginning to turn into a mix of what everyone wants, and a good dish comes when you mix the right ingredients in the right amount, not when you put all the things you like togheter in a bowl.