Endwalker is a masterpiece

[caffe_macchiato]

So queues aside which are a major issue it is a pure masterpiece. I had little confidence they could followup Shadowbringers because I have never seen an MMO developer one up themselves after putting up a great release or expansion.

It is inconceivable this was done in 2 years since they launched Shadowbringers. The size is just ridiculous and makes Shadowbringers look small in comparison.

They keep just one upping themselves in the MSQ. Everytime something epic happens it is followed by something even more EPIC.

I hope that someday I can agree with this sentiment. I’m sure the story is probably good, but it’s very long-winded and yet simultaneously seems to be very thin on content. After sitting in a chair for hours waiting for queue, the last thing I want to do is more of the same with an NPC’s text box. The reason why I’m far behind is also why my friends are already max level: when there’s nothing but cutscenes, fetch quests, chores, and escort missions, the expansion quickly becomes a measurement of speed-reading ability and how much you’re willing to put up with before getting bored. A story in a game shouldn’t be watched, it should be played. The pacing in Endwalker is a shame and is worse than most of the Final Fantasy franchise. A good 5 hours of story is not a good excuse as to why the remaining 40 hours fail to deliver.

[Rae88]

Up to the second trial and yeah, to me this story is far better than Shadowbringers. I don't want to put in any spoilers but I appreciate this story much more, rounding out lovely characters

[Raven2014]

Half way through the game -- I am not impressed in all honestly. Theres too much start-stop pacing in the story to help me get into the groove of the thing they are crafting.

yeah I agree with this. Frankly the first 40% of the game felt really bad, especially in term of pacing. Too many filler quests and useless fluff (note, I like fluff, just not the useless kind). Frankly I think 50% of the MSQ in the first half of this expack should be relegate to sidequest and wont affect the story at all.

The good news however, is the later half of the game is extremely good though. Feel like it switched from a dragged-out generic MMO story into full Trail of Steel mode. So you have something to look forward to.

[SturmChurro]

Masterpiece is a bit much. It was enjoyable, no doubt, but the first half felt very rushed, and leaves you with a sense of dissatisfaction in some areas. The meat of the story begins after the fall of Zodiark, and that's where this expansion shines. Again, the music is great, though I think ShB had an overall better soundtrack. Anyway, short thoughts. I'll have to write up a review, or at least compile my thoughts somewhere else.

[Banggugyangu]

Uh...

Stormblood did the exact same thing with The Fringes, The Peaks and Yangxia where you got half the area then came back later. Shadowbringers did it with Kholusia and Ahm Araeng too. It's not a new thing to this expansion to have you not able to access all of an area the first time through for the first few areas you pass through.

I'm not saying you don't have a point about area gating, I'm just saying it's not new or unexpected here.

Even Heavensward did this with Dravanian Hinterlands...

The dude complaining needs to learn how this game works. You're NOT INTENDED to do all the side quests when you get to a zone. Yoshi-P has publicly stated several times that this is the case. They're intended to be a means of leveling secondary jobs and learning a bit of side lore after you finish the MSQ.