What's the point with that quite lackluster story in Endwalker?

[FrightfulNight]

The interlude should also highlight the most visually distinct of FFXIV's zones, like the Azim Steppe, Dravanian Forelands, and deal with Garlemald in such a way that the country is put on a road to recovery that doesn't end in it becoming another Ishgard/Ala Mhigo-like republic. A new emperor or even empress would be crowned, and even one of the new main party members could be Garlean.

Leading into 7.0 we would go on to a location rich in high fantasy and European aesthetics, for a grounded adventure on the scale of Heavensward. Future antagonists would lean towards "human" and have reasonable motives like Emet-Selch, Ardyn, etc. Direct moralizing would be kept to an absolute minimum, with in-game actions speaking and getting through to people in ways that endless speeches never could.

And what better location for a high fantasy European Aesthetic then Ilsabard. You will certainly not get it with Meracydia or the New World and it is to soon to visit another shard, we just got back and need to explore more of the source. I have talked about three zones they could do for this before but let me do it in more detail.

I mentioned a zone inspired by Germany, Austria and Switzerland (something hinted at existing with the Bergsteiger's and Dirndl's Attires) which visually could play a role similar to 1.0 Ishgard now that it is all frozen with Windmills, rolling green valleys, fields of flowers, distant snowcapped mountains, and a very Studio Ghibli inspired visual Aesthetic.

The Scandinavian inspired zone i mentioned could have fjords, Viking longhouses, snowy forests, Aurora's in the sky at night, etc. For inspiration look to Skyrim, the recent God of War or even the Witcher 3.

The final zone I mentioned was one based off of Romania and they could just go all out with this one. I would put Gothic Garlean architecture inspired by the Royal palace before it was destroyed perhaps intermelled with more traditional Gothic architecture. For inspirations with this zone Obviously look to Castlevania and maybe Bloodbourne as well.

They could also add more Mediterranean inspired zones like maybe Werlyt Proper or the long hinted at Corvos. If they want to mix things up they can even throw in a desert zone ruins of the Caspian Sea in Metro Exodus.

I am not saying these zones should be complete one for one copies of real world cultures and nations but instead should build off of them like Thravnir.

This would also allow further Garlean Development to be salvaged after their expansion got gutted to rush the finale.