Square Enix blew it for some of us, but I'm still here...

[Tenku]

My friends and I are thoroughly disappointed with Heavensward. Three of them actually quit already, because that's how important first impressions are. We thought Heavensward was going to be another step into freedom and innovation. Instead, we get more of Square Enix's old ways dating all the way back to Final Fantasy 11, content gating.

1. In order to fly on mounts, you have to do main scenerio quests, a lot of side quests to get more "aethers" unlocked, then explore the entire map to discover "aethers". That defeats the whole purpose of being able to fly because once we're done with all the quests, there's no reason to fly on that map anymore.

2. Almost every single quests so far, after playing 10 hours of Heavensward, consists of getting quest from point A, go all the way to other side of map at Point B, then teleport back to point A. After that, run all the way back to other side of map at Point C, then teleport back to point A. Almost every quest feels meaningless and another one of Square Enix's ploy to extend the game without putting any real content in the game.

3. You left us off with quite an amazing story at the end of A Realm Reborn. I even watched the trailer for Heavensward because I was so excited for the new chapter. Imagine my disappointment when I find out that I have to run "errands" for my new host. Yes, it gets a lot better, but first impressions are the most important. Overall, it was a very poor "grand opening" for Heavensward.

4. Many people already have issues with having to do main scenerio quests to unlock content and progression. It wouldn't be an issue at all if the main scenerio didn't feel like fillers and running delivery errands between point a, b, or c.

5. What happened to what made the Final Fantasy franchise so great? Where is the "HOLY CRAP, THAT WAS EPIC!" part of the game? Final Fantasy 11 did a much better job with the main scenerio in that regards.

Even though I'm disappointed, I will stick it out because I am a fan and will always have faith in Square Enix to get it right. I'm sure many disagrees with me, but I really feel like the game is not as immersive as it should be. I don't feel like the world is a fantasy world I am part of because of the zones, the content gating, and the invisible walls.

This game has so much potential; I hope it's fully realized before it's too late.

[seida]

I really disagree. I feel that while ARR had a lot of fetch quests and filler, HW has had very little. I've thoroughly been enjoying all the MSQ and always want to know what happens next. You should know by now that a lot of content is locked by MSQ, that's hardly a surprise.

Flying is more like a reward for exploring. If we could fly evewhere straight away, who would actually appreciate everything on the ground? The whole big journey would be pretty redundant if you could fly everywhere at top speed straight away.

Well, it's all opinions. But it really just sounds like you want things handed to you with no effort on your part...

[FateAudax]

I'm shocked that you didn't mentioned the love for "hide and seek" quest which SE have installed for us in Heavensward especially in Dravanian Forelands and Churning Mists.

Find the items which these moogles lost.
Find the moogles.
Find this and find that.

Apart from these hide and seek quests (which I have completed), I have no other complains except that they've changed my beloved bard into a caster (which I will rant in the relevant thread).

[Mhikail]

What do you suggest?
I think I only agree with number 1 a bit.
The story is so good that I don't even mind the fetch quest...welcome to MMO's? I meant MMO's...ALWAYS do that.
I also like we have options to speak to people, more choices always welcomed.

[Tenku]

I'm shocked that you didn't mentioned the love for "hide and seek" quest which SE have installed for us in Heavensward especially in Dravanian Forelands and Churning Mists.

Find the items which these moogles lost.
Find the moogles.
Find this and find that.

Apart from these hide and seek quests (which I have completed), I have no other complains except that they've changed my beloved bard into a caster (which I will rant in the relevant thread).

Haven't gotten there yet. Lost motivation to continue with main scenerio after all the going back and forth between NPCs just to unlock new content.

[myerg]

I'm shocked that you didn't mentioned the love for "hide and seek" quest which SE have installed for us in Heavensward especially in Dravanian Forelands and Churning Mists.

Find the items which these moogles lost.
Find the moogles.
Find this and find that.

Apart from these hide and seek quests (which I have completed), I have no other complains except that they've changed my beloved bard into a caster (which I will rant in the relevant thread).

Yeah those god dam moogles man.

[Tenku]

I really disagree.

...would be pretty redundant if you could fly everywhere at top speed straight away.

Well, it's all opinions. But it really just sounds like you want things handed to you with no effort on your part...

I am sorry, but making us into robots is hardly called "effort". I do not mind earning anything, in fact, I loved the grinding in Final Fantasy 11. However, making me become a robot and going between point A and point B just to unlock content is not effort. It actually undermines my intelligence and yours. Does it take effort to go between point A and point B? It takes time, not effort. It definitely does not require strategy. It's definitely not fun.

[Kaedan94]

I can partially agree with some of your points, but I completely disagree with 1 and 3.

1) Making you gather the aether forces you to actually experience the zone and content and deal with the mobs. If you could fly right away, THAT would defeat the purpose of even having anything in the zone at all. Might as well make it empty or make all the mobs flying creatures.

3) The story makes perfect sense. [SPOILERS] You are dishonored, disgraced and on the run. With no way to prove your innocence, you are forced to take shelter in Ishgard. While some Ishgardians have heard of you and your exploits, you're still a foreigner and largely unproven in the eyes of most Ishgardians. Your patron is taking a risk just vouching for you. It makes sense you would have to start at the bottom of the ladder and work your way up again.


I do agree that filler quests are annoying and there are better ways to handle quest-leveling, but they aren't completely useless. They do make you explore the area.

[Alberel]

OP your first point is totally wrong. Given how many quests there are in every region that require flying to complete what you say makes zero sense.

Every region also has several higher level sections of the map that can only be accessed with a flying mount. I'm going to assume you haven't followed any of the quest chains back to previous regions and thus have no idea what you're talking about.

[Hurlstone]

I must disagree with most of your points. I thought the start of Heavensward was a great way to ease us into the main story and Ishgard. I also like how SE is making us play through the story. They actually care about their lore and want people to experience it, rather then it being a novelty like in other MMO games. Frankly I never found FF11 to be that amazing when it came to story (Which was far too gated I thought anyway).

The one point I may slightly great with you is in regards to flying, but even then I am assuming flying will be of use for daily quests/future MSQ's. Even so, its nice to be give an actually reason to explore the game map now, which feels larger then ever before.