Is it just me, or did 5.3 represent a big decline in storytelling? (spoilers)

[Lhunuial]

Funny thing is, I bet there were people who said the exact same stuff about "Solus" and his similar antics in his introductory scene. Yet Emet-Selch went on to become probably one of this game's most popular characters.

So, yeah, you never know.

At first I thought Emet-Selch was just an Ardyn Izunia clone. But in the end I started seeing similarities with Solas from Dragon Age as well and it was like a nice mix of them. My sympathy grew for him, though I still don't agree with his methods and his ultimate goal.

[MrThinker]

My sympathy grew for him, though I still don't agree with his methods and his ultimate goal.

Then I believe you came to the exact conclusion the writers wanted you to :P

[Yencat]

There was a decline in a couple of things this expansion, but story wasn't one of them. For me personally anyway.

[Lhunuial]

Then I believe you came to the exact conclusion the writers wanted you to :P

And there's nothing wrong with that

[Berteaux_Braumegain]

I seem to recall both Ryne and Lyna having fairly lengthy goodbyes. Heck, Lyna got two.

And what, pray tell, was wrong with the Mord?

[KageTokage]

Going back to errand boy/girl duty in the initial quests felt kind of awkward, but aside from that I liked how 5.3 played out.

[Mansion]

I'm of that mindset too actually. In general, I liked the events of 5.3.

The writing / storytelling is awkward. There are some moments that do feel like filler (the beginning obviously). The tension build up is often broken by a slowed down pace.

My main example is when we are in Eulmore and we have to go back to Cristarium. The cutscenes are great, the dungeon is doing its job. You feel you need to get there quick. And then, we have that discussion between Lyna and the exarch. The discussion itself is sweet, but it breaks the momentum. Exact same thing when the Exarch leaves behind while ascending the tower, there's a long discussion that really brings nothing to the setting and breaks the pace once more.

Then (maybe it's more personal); I think Elidibus' moment is in the shadow of Emet. 5.3 kinda rushed conflicting feelings for Elidibus in our mind, while we've known him for so long now. I did think it felt awkward, and basically a watered down version of that exchange we had with Emet. (Emet appearing in the fight had more punch than the whole scene for me). They could have done a bit more in making Elidibus deeper between 5.0 and 5.3. the whole thing was kind of hard to swallow for me.

I did think the last moment with the Exarch was a bit... cheesy, knowing that we will save him in the end anyway. I did not really feel a sense of doubt and urgency about him not being able to be transfered back into G'Raha. It was cute and a bit emotional, but trying too hard nonetheless.

The ending was great though. (Except the Zenos part).

In any case : the story was great. For me it's just technical mechanics of storytelling that hindered the impact it could have had.

[GhostXO]

Nope it's just you! Loved the 5.3 story. There's other things I'm not happy about with shadowbringers but I can at least be positive about this. ^^

[Alleluia]

At first I thought Emet-Selch was just an Ardyn Izunia clone. But in the end I started seeing similarities with Solas from Dragon Age as well and it was like a nice mix of them. My sympathy grew for him, though I still don't agree with his methods and his ultimate goal.

So many similarities.

I loved it. lol

Fandaniel looks like Kefka meets Ardyn to me. Mr. over the top court jester type with a grander scheme. He's still tempered to Zodiark, so he must still want the rejoining. He shouldn't have a choice in that. But he's clearly nuts so it'll be a chaotic journey to get there. The fact he considered the Unsundered to be a hindrance to him is very worrying for what it implies about his intended methods.

[Lhunuial]

I'm glad I wasn't the only one who saw the similarities with Solas, who I think is also one of the most interesting antagonists in Dragon Age. But we're not here to talk about Dragon Age. I'm really curious where this whole thing with Fandaniel and Zenos will lead. Fandaniel seems so incredibly nuts. It is worrying and telling that he considered the Unsundered a hindrance.