Final Fantasy XIV Hot Takes

[Shougun]

Attempt 2..

A major draw to WoW, and something that WoW continues to do substantially better than FFXIV (yes I am aware of all the other issues going on, and have been going on with WoW- I am beaming onto a particular element)- is the ability of roleplay to be substantiated by the game itself.

I make the distinction because of course FFXIV has a RP community, that's not what I meant- I mean specifically that WoW not only tries harder but succeeds more often in creating a gameplay environment that promotes the environment of being/feeling a sense of role. There are a number of balance concerns with such an approach, that sometimes create more than minor issues, and so I want to ensure I note that one shouldn't copy WoW... but that I wish FFXIV had inspiration of this element (or at least the next MMO in whatever odd years, does). Quick examples are like engineering having crazy gadgets that do really neat things that engineers can use (other crafts have some as well, but engineer is a standout in this regard)- noting that these are not simply different armors or stats, classes that glide, walk on water, see afar, etc, weapons that have effects that match their lore, races with unique (and often interesting differences), extra interactions with different elements of the world not simply because it's for a quest but because because, toybox, drinking alcohol (and loads of other non-crafting/job specific item interactions), to small things such as .. standing on fire burns you, or heck even the chat bubbles- chat bubbles help so much 'stay' in the world space (imo).

FFXIV has some elements but, imo, WoW has many more, and many more interesting ones. Again I'm not condemning FFXIV as a whole, but this element I feel adds a lot to the tactile interaction to WoW and to me occasionally makes me think FFXIV is too sleek, too.. 'engineered', or something. Of course FFXIV does try new things, but they're usually off in their own corner and you could easily never know about them (for example the deep dungeons or eurekas, FFXIV is absolutely not without creativity and fun ideas.. just.. they're maybe too particular where).

I see the FFXIV team do cute things here and there so I don't mean incapable, but it often seems so subdued that when I think to my favorite moments in WoW. One feels far more sleek and tactile-less (can sometimes feel like a space over an environment to be in) while the other trying to wrap the game 'world' as a game to interact with. Of course that's comparing "favorite" moments (nostalgia) to a game I've been playing for many years, it's not entirely fair- and again FFXIV > WoW for other reasons in my mind which I'd happily sell people on, but for this particular element... in FFXIV sometimes I think it only happens because of a specific dev is having fun and 'wants' to do something that wasn't asked of them. I wished FFXIV felt like it was 'asked' to be an environment that actively facilitates the mindset that you're doing roleplay. Which I will, again... lol, note I don't mean RP like *pulls out my galka fishing pole* ... I mean .. like.. RPG.. role playing game... making me feel I am what I have been ascribed / picked.

Obviously one issue with huge differences is balance, so there are reasons not to overly do this- and this is where I describe my bias on how I wish it was done. I don't really want to see racials that are so big that you have to be a taru taru to do X job or something, I do really appreciate that "be what you want" fantasy of FFXIV! So to me I think there should be active attempts for role playing, that are welcomed to be pervasive in the game (though not required), yet are not aggressive on the balance side. For example a lot of the goofy engineer or class differences in WoW do not have huge balance impact (summon mailbox, walk on water, etc etc).

In FFXIV Dragoon, once unlocked flying in an area, could simply jump higher by holding the jump key (in flying areas only- this self balances the issue). Bard might be one of the better moments for FFXIV in this regard given the music system, make this idea.... just parsed through a lot more than FFXIV actually has. For me I've tried to occasionally suggest one concept of bringing those elements to FFXIV in a sort of sphere / crystarium grid- adding an element to your soul stones that will upgrade overtime via merit like systems (as well as check points perhaps), allowing players to get strong senses of roleplay while intentionally trying to dodge balance concerns that WoW does sometimes absolutely cause. Like as I said Dragoon's jump ability being completely non-existent in a role play sense of FFXIV, could easily be represented in a balanced way in FFXIV if SE felt like.

That last bit probably being the magic words, if they felt like it lol. But it is a major nostalgia and occasionally wistful thought I have towards WoW that I know I'd probably never have for FFXIV. Of course I do have other great thoughts for FFXIV, just not really on this element of 'roleplay' facilitated by the game itself. Maybe I wouldn't say they're doing a bad job of it, just that in comparison to stuff that I know exist causes a contrast of difference I feel 'unfortunate' is substantial.