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

[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.

[Iscah]

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.

I wrote in the lore forum discussion as well - I think that scene could have been more impactful if they had gone the route of having the Exarch truly die, with only his memories and not his soul passed on to young G'raha. However, it might have been hard to convey that his soul was truly free and not left within his immortal body.

That quibble aside, and against all care about a perfectly told story - ultimately I'd rather have an imperfect one that makes me happy and has good things happen to characters I like. So I'm just delighted that we were able to bring him back with us and I cannot wait to take G'raha on an adventure at last. May it be the first of many.

[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. ^^

[Cled-cat]

Just you, this patch had fantastic story and I’ve never felt so close to the scions (especially our new best scion, G’raha)

[Theodric]

I'm inclined to agree, though it's been that way for a while. Elidibus, much like Varis and Regula, proved to be one of my favourite characters. I thought all three were handled terribly - Varis and Elidibus both did a complete 180 in their final scenes and Regula was woefully underused even when it made sense to bring him up as an example of an Imperial Garlean that wasn't an outright psychopath.

After playing FF7R and seeing how much respect the antagonists within are shown, I'm rather disappointed in the way in which they're handled in FF14. I fear this game has become far too much of an ego stroking power fantasy with so little consequence of note for the vast majority of protagonists. The Crystal Exarch, in particular, felt very jarring. The time travel alone was contrived enough, though for him to turn into crystal and then transfer his memory to his original self with no harmful side effects struck me as very boring, as if the writers were terrified of doing anything but play things very safe.

That we're now back to dealing with a one dimensional villain in the form of Zenos is also something that makes me wary. His companion, taking on the form of Asahi, looks to be little better in terms of depth.

Overall, there was far too much focus on 'feels' for my liking. The early quests involving helping a bunch of children felt uninspired - because we've explored those exact same story beats many times already in other quests.

I'll reserve my full judgement, of course, but I expected many more revelations about the original state of the world in 5.3.

I'm also hoping that the writers figure out a way to portray more Imperial Garleans along the lines of Regula if Ilsabard is an important destination the story moving forward.

I'm not saying the story is terrible, mind you - just that it isn't as flawless as some are painting it as. Though when certain posters are coming into the thread to say 'just you' when not even bothering to acknowledge that other posters are in agreement with the OP, I suppose we can't expect in-depth feedback from them.

[Lauront]

I'm inclined to agree, though it's been that way for a while. Elidibus, much like Varis and Regula, proved to be one of my favourite characters. I thought all free were handled terribly - Varis and Elidibus both did a complete 180 in their final scenes and Regula was woefully underused even when it made sense to bring him up as an example of an Imperial Garlean that wasn't an outright psychopath.

After playing FF7R and seeing how much respect the antagonists within are shown, I'm rather disappointed in the way in which they're handled in FF14. I fear this game has become far too much of an ego stroking power fantasy with so little consequence of note for the vast majority of protagonists. The Crystal Exarch, in particular, felt very jarring. The time travel alone was contrived enough, though for him to turn into crystal and then transfer his memory to his original self with no harmful side effects struck me as very boring, as if the writers were terrified of doing anything but play things very safe.

That we're now back to dealing with a one dimensional villain in the form of Zenos is also something that makes me wary. His companion, taking on the form of Asahi, looks to be little better in terms of depth.

Overall, there was far too much focus on 'feels' for my liking. The early quests involving helping a bunch of children felt uninspired - because we've explored those exact same story beats many times already in other quests.

I'll reserve my full judgement, of course, but I expected many more revelations about the original state of the world in 5.3.

I'm also hoping that the writers figure out a way to portray more Imperial Garleans along the lines of Regula if Ilsabard is an important destination the story moving forward.

Agreed with this. I think there are some potential green shoots in how they handled the Convocation crystals, as it does provide a potential avenue to eventually write Hydaelyn out of the story, but I am reserving judgement and waiting to see how the other patches shape up. Overall, it was rushed, but at the same time it wasn't terrible - just could have been better, and my final view will very much depend on the end of the road direction they take it in.

[Razard]

snip.

That's a lot of words to say "I am a contrarian".

[Theodric]

That's a lot of words to say "I am a contrarian".

Hardly. I've been invested in the story since the days of ARR. The game has some incredible world building, yet often fails to do as much with it as it could due to falling back on predictable tropes and a lack of consequence for the vast majority of characters.

[Lauront]

That's a lot of words to say "I am a contrarian".

This is on a level with "he's just trolling" as a reaction to someone expressing dissatisfaction with how they handled the story, and is a good example of the sort of cultish attitude that puts many people off this forum and the more vocal elements of its community.

Perhaps you ought to acknowledge that people have different reactions to and views of things, rather than trying to psychologise why they do so. If you can't, well then at most you'll be reduced to substance-free one-liners, like what you posted.

[Gula]

That's a lot of words to say "I am a contrarian".

If you see his posts in any opinion based thread, it's usually the case.