Thread: Revenge of the Weapons (5.2 and Onwards)

Originally Posted by Enkidoh

And even SE mentioned it from the very beginning of FFXIV's history, 1.0's backstory blurb that used to be on the FFXIV website and in it's manual outright stated that the Empire was beligerent,for not other reason that they were the designated antagonists. Anyone familar with past FF games should have really expected no different.

A lot of things have changed since the days of 1.0, though I think the more correct element would be to say that anyone familiar with past Final Fantasy games should expect intriguing antagonists with depth and complex morality. Final Fantasy XII and Final Fantasy Tactics have it in spades, especially given that Archades in FF12 was presented as a very complex and nuanced take on the typical 'Empire' trope. It wasn't destroyed at the end of the game or even dismantled, so hopefully FFXIV takes some cues on that front. Final Fantasy VII had elements of depth to Shinra (Rufus and Reeve), with the former being such a popular character he was given an expanded role in Advent Children. Final Fantasy VIII had Seifer. Final Fantasy IX had Beatrix and Kuja - both of whom did terrible things but had a change of heart/were granted mercy.

A lot of people playing this game also care nothing - or very little - for Eorzea itself. I'm very much in that boat, finding the likes of Sharlayan, Hingashi and Garlemald to be far more engaging due to having actual struggles that can't just be resolved instantly thanks to the Warrior of Light as a convenient plot device.

Furthermore, the lead writers are in record in official Q&A sessions as stating that the antagonists have their own reasons for doing things and much of the moral conflict is ideological. Garlemald has also turned out to be very popular, so no doubt the writing moving forward will take that into account as well.