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...

[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.

[seida]

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.

AKA you don't like the story. I find the story fun and interesting. I didn't say it took strategy or skill, that's not the point of it.

I enjoy the characters and seeing what happens with them... there have been occasional useless quests but on the whole the MSQ has been excellent imo.

Subquests though, yeah they're all fetchquests.

[Tenku]

AKA you don't like the story. I find the story fun and interesting. I didn't say it took strategy or skill, that's not the point of it.

I enjoy the characters and seeing what happens with them... there have been occasional useless quests but on the whole the MSQ has been excellent imo.

Subquests though, yeah they're all fetchquests.

First 2 hours of main scenerio quest is running errands for your new host. It has no character development at all. Again, first impressions.

[REPROBEAN_CHILD]

First 2 hours of main scenerio quest is running errands for your new host. It has no character development at all. Again, first impressions.

I think it's incredibly shallow go ONLY go by first impressions. RPGs, especially take time and doing quests exists throughout the genre. If your friends are going to be so critical over the game, then they're better off staying out of it.

[Zaraaraz]

I am sorry, but making us into robots is hardly called "effort". 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. It definitely does not require strategy. It's definitely not fun.

Erhm...But killing the same mobs over and over again requires strategy, doesn't turn you into a robot, takes effort and not only time, and doesn't undermine my intelligence? Some people hate 'quest grind'. I personally will never play any game anymore where I need to level by killing the same mobs over and over. Been there, done that, and I never felt more like a bot than doing that. I'ld rather have quests.

It's preference. Maybe this isn't the game for you and you should look out for a Korean grinder. And I don't mean this in a nasty way. I have friends who are happy to do the same thing over and over again for hours.

[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).

[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.

[Woggers]

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.

I do agree that the quests can get tedious, but there are other options. FATES, Dungeons, and Levequests are all available to break the repetition.

I've waiting no longer than 3 minutes to get into The Aery as a DPS. So dungeon spam is viable for all jobs.