Thread: FFXIV 2.0 impression

Originally Posted by Platinumstorm

Well, it would be a major disappointment if the lv 1-49 gameplay wasn't completely revamped and filled with content. I think the game can only succeed by providing an amazing experience for the lower and mid levels.

Secondly, there are improvements needed in combat because it doesn't have the fluidity or complexity needed to make it a great combat system.

[SNIP]

Two mistakes I think the developers have made in the combat system is giving each class/job too few abilities, and too heavy of a reliance on the TP mechanic. I realize TP is a holdover from FFXI, but the game could really benefit from resource systems outside of TP and MP to change the feel of each class.

Additionally, I think it's very necessary to make sure damage is applied at the end of an animation, rather than the beginning of an animation, so that animation lock can be eliminated.

[SNIP]

Things that could disappointment not related to combat:

Not having a sufficient story experience from 1-50 that has a high level of quality and constantly makes players feel like they're part of an adventure. The quality control issues with the story, and the storyline inconsistencies and dead ends that were introduced as part of 1.0 were jarring and felt both rushed and incomplete, but occasionally showed glimmers of true presentation. I really think FFXIV's niche is going to be in doing better storytelling than say SWTOR, and I think that's what a lot of passive Final Fantasy players really expect from an FFMMO title - not a stationary grind.

Raising the level cap:
If they raise the level cap to 55, 60, or whatever, they're just creating unnecessary burden when there isn't content saturation at 50 anyhow. Any raise in the level cap would mean designing an additional section of content, and taking away focus from core systems and gameplay experiences for those levels that do exist now. So for me, that would be extremely disappointing.

Amazing post, Platinumstorm. I highlighted what I most agree with.

I feel two of FFXIV's biggest core problems are with the battle system and lack of story-driven gameplay, things that I'm still concerned will not change on a significant enough level in 2.0.

In regards to combat, I like the combo system itself. But I also feel it was a mistake to make melee abilities so heavily TP-based. The way it was implemented only serves to makes battle feel less fluid and less interactive. As you suggested, there needs to be something to fill in the gaps between abilities (I would personally rather see smaller non-TP based attack abilities than a third resource to juggle, but either way, something needs to happen).

I'm also concerned about the leveling model getting enough of a redesign. Simply put, there is too much naked grind in this game. Final Fantasy excels at storytelling, but instead of a story-driven journey, the majority of leveling is done through mindless grinding with some story on the side like an afterthought. It's really a letdown when you consider what this franchise is capable of.

To answer the OP, no, if this game was ported as-is to the new engine, servers and maps, it would not be enough. Combat still needs work, the leveling model needs work, plus the new UI redesign, linkshell administration, delivery system, market ward reform, PvP... there's still a long way to go.