why i quit before reaching endgame (feedback from a new player)

[DBriggs304]

OK, lets talk about SE's only other MMO Final Fantasy XI. They didn't force full MSQ completion on you. Instead of comparing single-player games to an MMO, perhaps try comparing two things in the same genre.

If the story is the main show of XIV, what on earth do you do after it's all completed? Sit there idly twirling your thumbs? There is A LOT of other content outside of the Story (which really only lasts a short bit of time). MMOs pull players with varied interests, some will like story, some are here for other things. And there is nothing wrong with that.

It's not a comparison between the two formats (though that doesn't change the premise one bit) as it is still the fact that Final Fantasy games have always concentrated on story first. This isn't new.

This is no different other than the story is continuous.

[Skivvy]

It's not a comparison between the two formats (though that doesn't change the premise one bit) as it is still the fact that Final Fantasy games have always concentrated on story first. This isn't new.

This is no different other than the story is continuous.

Only difference is the story is continuous in XIV? No, XIV forces you to complete 100% of the MSQ if you wish to be playing current battle content. Or maybe you just like exploring new zones? Have to keep up on that MSQ! Want to try new jobs? Hope you have access to Kugane...which requires full ARR/HW MSQ. There is a better way of handling this, and simply telling players that XIV isn't for them if they don't like the story is the wrong response.

XI let you complete most of the story at your own pace. Yes, you would at times need to complete up to a certain point, or have a certain rank, but the completion was left up to you after you unlocked whatever job/content it was you wanted. The story is not congruent in XI, but that's something that could have been improved upon with the release of XIV WITHOUT forcing it on players in-full.

At this point though, I'm going to tap out. I'm not trying to pull the "I'm gonna have the final word and will listen to nothing else!", but the last time this topic was around (last week or two?), it just goes around in circles and is a bit pointless.

[LadyKairi]

Want to try new jobs? Hope you have access to Kugane...which requires full ARR/HW MSQ.

Wrong. The only expansion jobs that require that is HW jobs, and even then you dont need to do the full story, just get far enough to enter Ishgard. People had issues with this (obviously), so they made it so the only prerequisite was be level 50 and put the quest givers in the original starter cities.

[Seraphor]

It's worth breaking your time up by revisiting the older content. Coils, Alexander, Crystal Tower, Mhach, maybe even PvP, in order to avoid burnout. The good thing is that all content is played, it's not forgotten about just because it's not the latest expansion content. (with the exception of Diadem)
Although some of it, like Coils, may require you to find a good FC or LS to coordinate with other players for it.

You have to keep in mind that you're essentially playing through three expansions worth of story heavy content, this isn't like WoW where you just start at the latest expansion, this is all one cohesive story.

You're not going to just catch up to Shadowbringers at this late stage unless you put up with the slog of story content, and unless you skip all side content.
So don't rush it, and take it at its own pace.

[xxvaynxx]

OK, lets talk about SE's only other MMO Final Fantasy XI. They didn't force full MSQ completion on you. Instead of comparing single-player games to an MMO, perhaps try comparing two things in the same genre.

If the story is the main show of XIV, what on earth do you do after it's all completed? Sit there idly twirling your thumbs? There is A LOT of other content outside of the Story (which really only lasts a short bit of time). MMOs pull players with varied interests, some will like story, some are here for other things. And there is nothing wrong with that.

This isn't FFXI though, it's FFXIV.
You're overblowing when people say it's a story focus MMO, no one is saying it's the only thing to do.

People are just saying it's a big part. There is a reason way it's call Main STORY quest.

Like.. not to be rude, if the op has such a problem with story and cut scenes, this isn't the game for them. More so if they can't even bother to just hit skip, because that's a thing.

Maybe BDO is the game for them idk.

[Skivvy]

This isn't FFXI though, it's FFXIV.
You're overblowing when people say it's a story focus MMO, no one is saying it's the only thing to do.

People are just saying it's a big part. There is a reason way it's call Main STORY quest.

Like.. not to be rude, if the op has such a problem with story and cut scenes, this isn't the game for them. More so if they can't even bother to just hit skip, because that's a thing.

Maybe BDO is the game for them idk.

OK, last reply (maybe. lol). I'm quite the professional when it comes to skipping dialogue and going through the quests. I've been around this game since ARR launched, and I'm still here (albeit with breaks), even though I haven't read the story. I've also dumped far too much money into this game through subs and cash shop items. But with your reasoning, I shouldn't be in this game because I don't like the story.

Does that not seem a bit off to you?

[PyurBlue]

Like.. not to be rude, if the op has such a problem with story and cut scenes, this isn't the game for them.

It's not necessarily a problem with story or cutscenes. Even if someone likes those things the MSQ can still put them off. I don't know if that's the case here, but I just want to point out that a story isn't made good just by existing. ARR definitely feels like the weakest link in the story for many. Combine that with its length and the MSQ locking so much content away that it's quite possible to push away players that would other wise find FF14 to be a good fit for them.

[LyraKuroneko]

It's not necessarily a problem with story or cutscenes. Even if someone likes those things the MSQ can still put them off. I don't know if that's the case here, but I just want to point out that a story isn't made good just by existing. ARR definitely feels like the weakest link in the story for many. Combine that with its length and the MSQ locking so much content away that it's quite possible to push away players that would other wise find FF14 to be a good fit for them.

ARR length is because there is 50 lvl to go before what was the endgame back then.
Expansion have only 10 lvl, no wonder it's shorter.

[Physic]

ARR length is because there is 50 lvl to go before what was the endgame back then.
Expansion have only 10 lvl, no wonder it's shorter.

MSQ was not designed to be used how it is now. Each msq part had a different goal, which doesnt make as much sense when you are a new player coming into the game now.

arr msq- designed to be tutorial, story, lore meant to be done periodically as you level through other means, and figure out the game
post arr msq designed to introduce new content at a level 50 cap for years
heavensward msq- designed to focus primarily on one story while you level 10 levels.
post hw msq designed to introduce hw content for years and finish the story

etc


point is its very poorly designed for some of today's new players, who can learn faster from friends and guides than arr's forced tutorial bits, and level faster than players used to, then, every post expansion story line is designed not to progress you, and be only 2-4 hours of story for 40-hundreds of hours of gameplay until the next story is released.

essentially only the expansion story parts were designed to be done in a progression environment.

also, they have way too many story steps, where too many steps seem of miniscule value. Compare this to other rpgs, where the story seems to occur naturally, and it feels pretty jumpy.

[Renato]

Yes it is, its meant to be approached like a traditional JRPG/Final Fantasy title and enjoyed as such, an MMOJRPG if you will, but no not a traditional MMO.

I tell people this all the time. Deep down, FFXIV is just a multi-player FF game to be completely honest. Just like in every other FF, the story is the main priority. Just like in any other FF, you have to progress to unlock certain things. You have to go on errands/fetch quests, sit through cutscenes and story to progress. It's one of the things that I love about the game personally.

I do understand where new players who just start get frustrated though. ARR is a slog to get through and HW starts off a bit slow. It gets REALLY good though but most people aren't invested at that point to even care. SB has it's moments but ultimately was pretty boring as well to me.

But like I said, I do get it...As many have said, just skip them.