Final Fantasy XIV Hot Takes

[Rolder50]

Where the impression that XIV is not original stems from primarily the "side content" (which counterintuitively ends up providing the majority of the gameplay as each expansion's respective endgame):

* HW: Alexander raids (IX/XI), Warring Triad Trials (VI), to some extent the Shadows of Mhach raids
* SB: Omega raids (V/VI/I), Hell's Lid trials (Legends), Dalmasca raids (XII)
* ShB: Eden raids (VIII), Weapon trials (VII), Nier raids
* EW: Pandaemonium raids (II)

The Omega raids were just the worst in that regard. I've not played those games, so the whole thing just felt like a mish-mash of random unrelated concepts, stuffed into some nonsensical tournament arc.

[SeverianLyonesse]

The Omega raids were just the worst in that regard. I've not played those games, so the whole thing just felt like a mish-mash of random unrelated concepts, stuffed into some nonsensical tournament arc.

They were fun in isolation, but I agree. As far as storytelling and integrating side content into XIV's mythos goes, I think the Omega raids are by far the worst across the alliance raids, normal raids, and trials, perhaps tied with Nier. At least things like the Warring Triad, Weapons, Eden, and Dalmasca were given room to develop into their own take on each game's mythos. Omega was just objectively not as cohesive and polished. I do not like that they crammed a chibi chocobo into the game either.

[Conundrum]

The level of fan service is crazy. I've said this before in other threads, but I hope if ever there is another FF MMO, it tries to create and maintain its own identity vs. using past FF titles as a crutch. Then you have cross-overs which are shoe-horned into the game and get full raid series (looking at you, Nier). Makes no sense.

I know that there are FF staples that are generally found in most of their games, Chocobos, airships, Cid, Moogles, job types, certain mobs, etc, but XIV has gone far past the usual items.

I honestly don't mind the temporary crossovers, they can be fun. But they leave in the end.

But you did use a key word...CRUTCH. it's like they are terrified to do original content. I mean when they announced the EW alliance raids were going to actually be original it was a big deal and selling point to them. ORIGINAL should be the norm, not the notable exception.

[Remish]

I honestly don't mind the temporary crossovers, they can be fun. But they leave in the end.

But you did use a key word...CRUTCH. it's like they are terrified to do original content. I mean when they announced the EW alliance raids were going to actually be original it was a big deal and selling point to them. ORIGINAL should be the norm, not the notable exception.

It has been stated several times over that FFXIV is an FF theme park MMO. It has also been stated that it is the center of the FF universe. They aren't terrified. Being an FF reference playground IS and has always been FFXIV's identity.

[Conundrum]

It has been stated several times over that FFXIV is an FF theme park MMO. It has also been stated that it is the center of the FF universe. They aren't terrified, being an FF reference playground IS FFXIV's identity. It's always been intended that way.

Doesn't make it less of a terrible and unimaginative design philosophy...in fact it makes it worse.

But the fanboys love it.

[Novae]

The ff14 healers community is one of the most detestable communities I've ever seen in an MMO.

[Thi]

Melee is no longer any harder than a ranged physical when the bosses hit boxes are massive enough to resolve all mechanics in melee range. Likewise uptime isn't a thing because of uptime strats whenever possible.

Caster never had been harder than ranged physical. The fights are scripted. Prepositioning is pretty damn easy.

[aveyond-dreams]

Well, FFXIV is kind of supposed to appeal to fans of the series and people who are into "fantasy" in general. The familiarity that draws upon things from other games helps make it a more palatable experience, as opposed to something entirely foreign.

Creative Business Unit III however is more than capable of creating their own original worlds, and I'm especially interested in FFXVI's setting because it seems to be a largely original medieval setting other than the aspect of the classic FF summons.

[Avidria]

Well, FFXIV is kind of supposed to appeal to fans of the series and people who are into "fantasy" in general. The familiarity that draws upon things from other games helps make it a more palatable experience, as opposed to something entirely foreign.

Yeah it's kinda had the opposite effect for me as someone who's never played another FF game and isn't likely to start, uh... ever, probably. I don't even know half the things that are references ARE references unless somebody points it out, and it's led to a few times where things felt a little out of place or where a friend got super excited about something for, to me, no comprehensible reason lmao

I think that there have been times where they could have done a bit of a better job about making lore from other games fit in a way that makes it feel like it actually does fit as part of this world, and not just homage to a different one.

[Skivvy]

Since we're still talking things borrowed...

I'm gonna say they did Roeg dirty by not giving them the glorious tails of their Galka predecessors.