Praise for the designers.

[odie]

I don't know what it was about the other day but I found myself turning off my HUD and names and everything. The game looks so different after doing so. I started to notice details that normally the busy screen elements would distract me from. I turned off the music and I saw so many details...

Go to Limsa Lominsa at night and hear the wind. You can almost feel the ocean. Wander through the black Shroud and listen to the forest. Just run off and get lost. Do you have a Bravura? Even on a PS3 the level of detail in that weapon just amazes me. The hammered finish, and brushed edges on the blade....Some real love went into that weapon. This forum is usually full of complaining about things in the game and there are those that frequent the forums that are just ready to pounce on a post and turn it negative. I think this forum could use some positive and let the devs know what they do right. Because they do get plenty right. This is a beautiful world they've made.

[Moomba33]

Some of my favourite XIV memories come from when I was leveling Fisher and just taking in the sights while I fished.
Costa Del Sol is beautiful at night.

[WinterLuna]

I often screenshot pretty landscapes in Eorzea, they're lovely.

[Gemina]

OMG I do this all the time! I spend so much time, wandering around aimlessly just to take in the beauty of this game. The scenery, music, weather effects, distant animal noises from owls. Its all so amazingly beautiful!

Thanks for this feel good post. I hope many take your advice and take a break from their grinds to appreciate the hard work the designers have laid out before us!

[Sakuraluna]

I take a lot of screenshots too, and I tend to toggle my music on and off because even though I love it, it gets monotonous if you're in one area for a while. It is nice to just turn off all the distractions and enjoy the sights and sounds.

[B0YRaNmA]

I agree, the environment in XIV is awesome. I tried to ride mounts to get to places as much as I can (unless I'm in a rush to finish off something for the night), at times met with the best sunset ever, the starry sky, or chocobo protecting me from the rain while I'm fishing. b^^d two thumbs up.

[odie]

One of the things I am guilty of in the new maps.....Flying.....I was stupid at HW launch and rushed to hit 60, complete MSQ, and max my gear out before the Alex raids came out. By then I had flying unlocked on every map, and I flew everywhere. I've been making it a point to walk through all the maps from 3.0 and just look at everything. Not run. Walk. There is so much that is easily missed.

Some of the dungeons are so nicely put together too. With the speed runs, its too easy to miss.

[Mikita]

Same here. Sometimes I will just take a slow walk through an area with the HUD off, and the camera angled up slightly (instead of its usual slight down angle) to see the trees and sky... and just enjoy being there. It really is a beautiful world. ^^

[Heliantheae]

I got Snowcloak for my roulette yesterday and after the first boss and you step outside. I had to stop and look out over the cliff at the forest. I love snowy landscapes. Usually ignore it and just run around killing mobs, but it just grabbed me for some reason.

[Niqote]

Sometimes I like to give myself a little challenge, and hit Scroll Lock, to remove all the UI and try find my way around the world without the aid of Maps.
You really find out how much of the environments you ignore because you are so reliant on the map.