FFXIV's Story vs. Endgame content

[Endemerrin]

As we continue to plug onwards to 2.0, I can't help but feel like the story aspect of FFXIV is taking a back seat. That isn't to say quality wise, but on how engaging it is. For example, I absolutely love the Umbral Era storyline they have going right now, however I do not enjoy how simplistic it all is. Sure, some of it is meant to be lower level so that everyone can participate, but come 2.0 will we see story content with real challenges?

Some of my fondest memories from FFXI came from pushing through the challenging missions and unlocking the next part of the story. My actions in-game felt like they carried weight through the story, and the entire experience was incredibly rewarding because of it.

Now, don't get me wrong. This isn't a "FFXIV should be an FFXI clone" rant, rather something I feel is fundamental to Final Fantasy as a whole. A friend pointed out to me earlier today that we have Yoshida at the helm. He's making great changes, but he's never worked on a Final Fantasy title as far as I know. He's played them, and he's played MMORPGs before, but that worries me because a Final Fantasy MMORPG shouldn't be just another MMO.

It's story and world should be as big a selling point as it's content. Engaging characters, challenging boss fights and missions related to them. Long and "epic" quests taking you across all of Eorzea. Content beyond slapping a few raid instances in and calling it a day. It took time and effort to unlock the endgame areas, and you got the backstory behind the area you unlocked and why you're there. It all felt wholesome.

I really hope endgame content doesn't become focused solely around raid instances and nothing more. I'd love to see more open world "endgame" areas, like XI had. They were unique, and in most cases a fun experience. Areas unlocked through difficult story missions, instead of simple pre-quests. Content that took time and effort to be able to participate in, instead of raids that you can unlock and do on a whim.

I'm not saying they should stop with the raids, but I do think they should add something else on top.

And while we can't be certain what 2.0 has in store, part of me feels the need to bring the discussion up.

[Urthdigger]

They've mentioned that they are going to continue adding on to the main scenario quests once 2.0 is out. Their reason for not doing so earlier is because they will be revamping all the areas with 2.0, which will mean a lot of recode a lot of things for the quests, or something like that.

[Avraym]

You are 100% correct. Final Fantasy is reknown for 3 main things.

1. Beautiful Graphics - Every Final Fantasy at its time had eye-candy graphics, drawing the player in from the moment they past the title screen. FFXIV has this down pat with its new engine and what appears to be, intricate zone redesigns.

2. Cutscenes & Cinematics - Check! The intro movie (whilst irrlevant to our current game state), was beautifully rendered and full of action. Some of the new Job cutscenes were pretty awesome. The content for the most part was.. awful, but the cutscenes delivered.

3. Storyline - This is where FFXIV loses the final fantasy feel. However, with the introduction of new unique characters, Ifrit NPC, Grand Company Leaders ect, individual "personality" is certainly getting there.

As other's have stated, 2.0 + unfortunately.

[mikoto_qc]

your just right. At the moment, (dont get me wrong the game is fun) i feel like the game is more rush and bash. Feel more like an Action RPG, then a MMO. In FFXI quest and mission was simply harder, longer and bring you a real immersive experience. Even Experience party. Some of them were good and some bad, but in any case it always turn into a great experience. In the other game when we start end-game, i knew i was off for long time run. Now with speed run, its crash in, Rush in, donjon done in 25 minutes. Meh :/ And im really worry to see the direction things are going. Yes my friends we just got new content, but its almost all the same.

[KiraAmane]

This post needs some more support! I agree completely.

[Deltara]

I have supreme faith in the new team. I've never been let down by a Final Fantasy game before (except maybe >.> FF12, but I can't deny that there was a solid story there.)

I know they will do well. Also, they are working under the gun right now and high stress and deadlines tend to push people to levels they didn't know they could achieve.

[HiirNoivl]

Aurum Vale... Darkhold, Ifrit, Moogle... they're all related to the Seventh Umbral Era......

1.23 we'll have more imperial related stuff so it's fine.

[Endemerrin]

Aurum Vale... Darkhold, Ifrit, Moogle... they're all related to the Seventh Umbral Era......

1.23 we'll have more imperial related stuff so it's fine.

But they don't have any real umpf to them. Aurum Vale? No cutscenes or significant characters to advance plot and story. Same for Dakrhold, and Ifrit, and Moogle.

There's cutscenes, but their just flavor that add nothing to the story. They introduce no characters. There's no real connection to the story, and we're more or less forced to skip them anyways to do speed runs.

Related isn't what I'm looking for. I'm looking for involvement. Storyline cutscenes with plot and advancement. Unique characters that develop over time instead of appearing once and never being heard from again. That's what we lack, and that's what we need more than ever for a Final Fantasy title.

The fights and raids we have now are just that, fights and raids with minimal impact on the story in terms of what we actually witness and are a part of. Sure we kill them, but there's no lengthy cutscenes or deep and intricate plots. It's all straight forward and we barely get any closure.

[Andrien]

Every story is different. What they share is the same element which makes it "Final Fantasy"

Look up into the sky, giant red ball of flame says hi. I also read about the Crystal Tower. So yeah content is coming and along with the elements that gives it that Final Fantasy feel.