This game has lost it's identity again.... (Ranting Thread)

[ShannaraFan]

I don't play healers much so I don't have much to add there, but your point about the game remaining the same after all these years is spot on, and it's a bit frustrating. I've returned to the game 5 times now, 3 of those times was at the start of a new expansion. I don't know why but for whatever reason, each time I return I expect some fundamental change that's different from the established formula, and I'm always left disappointed. The sheer refusal to move outside the box is maddening, and the reasons they provide for them are even more so.

- No diversity across the same jobs. The idea that every single Bard, Paladin, Black Mage etc are identical to one another. No paths to choose, no skill trees etc.

- No special stats, set bonuses, unique gear. For example, a shield that improves the effect of cover

And many more things like this. And the reasoning behind it? They think we'll establish a meta and then start to discriminate against those that don't follow it. It's like we're children who need to have our hands held. I mean I understand the logic, but people are still facing discrimination and/or harassment anyway. You'll never be able to shield us from everything so please, enough of the status quo in the name of equality. The game has become a hamster wheel of MSQ, tome farming, and Savage raids

[Razard]

I don't play healers much so I don't have much to add there, but your point about the game remaining the same after all these years is spot on, and it's a bit frustrating. I've returned to the game 5 times now, 3 of those times was at the start of a new expansion. I don't know why but for whatever reason, each time I return I expect some fundamental change that's different from the established formula, and I'm always left disappointed. The sheer refusal to move outside the box is maddening, and the reasons they provide for them are even more so.

- No diversity across the same jobs. The idea that every single Bard, Paladin, Black Mage etc are identical to one another. No paths to choose, no skill trees etc.

- No special stats, set bonuses, unique gear. For example, a shield that improves the effect of cover

And many more things like this. And the reasoning behind it? They think we'll establish a meta and then start to discriminate against those that don't follow it. It's like we're children who need to have our hands held. I mean I understand the logic, but people are still facing discrimination and/or harassment anyway. You'll never be able to shield us from everything so please, enough of the status quo in the name of equality. The game has become a hamster wheel of MSQ, tome farming, and Savage raids

You answered your own question there buddy. Their design philosophy has been "any Job can complete any content". They wan't to avoid the "leper class" or "Balanced so poorly having this Job in your party is an active detriment (looking at you FFXI)" phenomenon endemic in other MMO's. We do have it slightly better because you can change classes on the fly, but no one want's their favorite class to be on the bottom.

Also "Meta exists so lets just make it worse" isn't the answer.

[Hatstand]

You answered your own question there buddy. Their design philosophy has been "any Job can complete any content". They wan't to avoid the "leper class" or "Balanced so poorly having this Job in your party is an active detriment (looking at you FFXI)" phenomenon endemic in other MMO's. We do have it slightly better because you can change classes on the fly, but no one want's their favorite class to be on the bottom.

Also "Meta exists so lets just make it worse" isn't the answer.

Yeah, but they majorly stuffed up when they decided it was acceptable for some classes to engage with a good portion of the content (all solo content) with approximately 4 buttons (1 dot, 1 nuke, 1 aoe, and your heal of choice). I’m not about to jump ship, but I’m certainly considering jumping role. All metrics suggest that the majority of AST and SCH players are pretty upset with SE at the moment.

AST and SCH might not be lepers for other people to include (although I’ve seen some suggestions that ASTs are at the moment) but they feel like lepers to play, especially when compared to what the jobs used to be.

[Neoyoshi]

Perhaps this is a bit hasty? I mean you are free to do as you wish, but the Expansion has been out for roughly over a week i think?

I mean if you feel like 5.0 is representative of the entire experience of what is yet to come, then by all means- if there is something in particular that you are seeking, then go seek it out; i'm just not sure you'll find what you seek in the forums.

Or perhaps you will, i have no idea what it is you want.

[KRIPTICON]

I've actually seen this idea getting more and more traction lately. The character, content, endgame, and gear progression has become formulaic and hasn't changed much through 3 expansions. Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing is a matter of perspective at the end of the day.

Personally (I'm likely to get flamed for this) I think the content release schedule is too aggressive. SE is expected to push out patch after patch in order to justify the monthly sub, and to that end they do a great job. However. I believe that, in 2 major ways, it hurts as much as it helps:

1) Players wishing to stay current with content cycles have to play until they are burnt out in order to keep from falling behind the relevancy curve.

2) The frequency with which new content is introduced into the game does not leave much room in development cycles for innovation. Basically, they stick with what they've always done because it works and they have deadlines to meet.

But hey, that's just a theory, a FFXIV theory. Thanks for reading

[Vercinotrix]

I've actually seen this idea getting more and more traction lately. The character, content, endgame, and gear progression has become formulaic and hasn't changed much through 3 expansions. Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing is a matter of perspective at the end of the day.

Personally (I'm likely to get flamed for this) I think the content release schedule is too aggressive. SE is expected to push out patch after patch in order to justify the monthly sub, and to that end they do a great job. However. I believe that, in 2 major ways, it hurts as much as it helps:

1) Players wishing to stay current with content cycles have to play until they are burnt out in order to keep from falling behind the relevancy curve.

2) The frequency with which new content is introduced into the game does not leave much room in development cycles for innovation. Basically, they stick with what they've always done because it works and they have deadlines to meet.

But hey, that's just a theory, a FFXIV theory. Thanks for reading

More than likely that's a lot of it. The other thing is, it works. FFXIV has had a steady playerbase and has blown up with SHB. A lot of people probably appreciate that the game doesn't change it's core every 2 years, it's still the same FFXIV when you left for the most part.

Also the catch-up mechanics they add in before the next big one drops is always nice. Free farm on the raid drops and upgrades to the current tomestone gear, if you don't try to play every day or even every week these are such a boon and rush of content and gearing that it's absurdly fun.

At least from the perspective of myself and my friends. We like that we don't feel forced to log in everyday, but most of the time we choose to because we like the game. And even if another game comes out or we just need a break, we can come back and catch up to relevant gear and join in on the next content patch.

[gumas]

there is no more growth

the expansion is literally further progress our character even more, opening all the secrets and the truth about our WOL, we finally learn the truth about ascian, and our scion friends is even growing more than i expected.

This is not what I call a final fantasy game

meanwhile, all reviewer and youtuber and people who play this game come to conclusion that this expansion is probably the most "final fantasy" game ever compare to other recent FF games

Let them get some bad press. They will be quick to fix it then.

i have a very bad news for you lol

so yeah, all in all you are in for yourself. hey if you dont like it thats fine, there are a lot of games out there and its not like you are forced to play this one anyway.

[Vanitas]

Welcome to every mmo ever made.

[Selova]

Yall can be mad two years from now I just get it out and move on.

I've been playing this game for over 4 years, I've never been "mad" because a MMO plays like a MMO, but you do you.

[Dynia]

I love this game I do! I enjoyed playing for like 4 years. I feel like SE thinks we are stupid this is the exact same thing over and over and over. Next expansion will take my money elsewhere because there is no more growth. That's why I pay is to have growth but sorry I'm not gonna buy into this anymore. I started out as SMN but went healers and the fact they didn't add another healer and the generic feel to the current 3. This is not what I call a final fantasy game.

im sorry ... WHAT ?! Shb have one of best story telling you can get in a while, its as same level like witcher 3 or some goods Jrpgs over there, for me ff 14 is single player story based with coop things like dungeons
also got lot of from other final fantasy series that I love