What is the point of Overworld in the game?

[Rein_eon_Osborne]

Gposing, obviously.

There are plenty of gorgeous shooting spot scattered in overworld. Even somewhere barren/boring like some parts of Thanalan and Gyr Abanian can look PRETTY in some specific weather and/or time.

[kpxmanifesto]

After you finish the story, what is the point of the overworld?


Gathering? Maps? Hunts?

Yep, you pretty much said it.

[Theodric]

I think that it'd be nice to see some inspiration taken from Lost Ark when it comes to collectables and secret quests to be found for those willing to do some thorough exploration. Especially if we're seeing a return to our character being an adventurer again.

Final Fantasy IX had a lot of hidden items to be found throughout the game world, too. I'd like to see more of that sort of thing in general.

[Vencio]

After you finish the story, what is the point of the overworld?


Gathering? Maps? Hunts?

Everything is pretty much “optional” without repercussions,

You may do the following as others has listed; maps, glamour collection etc.,

As much as I adore FFXIV I will not deny however it’s heavily designed more as an RPGer/online than an MMO due to its strong emphasis on playing solo more than anything,

Other than that just wait till 6.1 & once you’re caught up on that patch’s content have a break from the game & enjoy other games along.

All in all, I will be frank,

True experience & worth the memory of it comes with those whom you’ve befriended & just enjoy doing things together; it’s more fun to chat, do silly things or just have a social club within the game, after all, despite being an RPG everyone’s pretty social

[Illmaeran]

The overworld's primarily there to set the stage for the MSQ and other quests, as well as gathering. There's also the sightseeing log, taking screenshots if you're into that, FATEs if you're into that, Hunts if you're into that, and general derping around in. Every once in a while I like to hop on my Chocobo and run (not fly) around different zones just chilling and taking in the atmosphere.

Your sentiment's not wrong; once you reach a certain point in the game, if you're not into overworld activities then you don't need to leave a city and it turns into an "MM-lobby-chatting-and-people-watching-while-waiting-for-queues game". From what I've gathered from Live Letters is this design philosophy is intentional given the relaxed nature of the game.

[Ronduwil]

After you finish the story, what is the point of the overworld?

You're talking as if this question is specific to this game, but it applies to every single one. Once you've played through any game, what is the point of it? The answer is specific to each player. For some, it's nostalgia, for others it's hunt trains, for others it's gathering, for other it's FATEs/gemstones, and for some it's simply pointless. Different strokes for different folks. I don't understand players who complain about players enjoying an aspect of the game that they just don't get. It's OK to go play something else for a while until SE releases more of the content that you specifically enjoy. They don't need to start throwing obstacles in everyone else's way so that you can find meaning in the overworld. That line of thought has destroyed WoW. They've made the overworld in that game an absolute misery to navigate: mobs that scale to your level and item level, no flying in the latest "relevant" zone, and maze-like paths everywhere. All that was done in the service of making the overworld feel "alive" and "dangerous." No, thank you. I'll keep the overworld in this game the way it is: pleasant and relaxing.

[Doc_Seraph]

To ride the chocobo kupo <3 it needs exercise

[Lunalepsy]

After you finish the story, what is the point of the overworld?


Gathering? Maps? Hunts?

To look pretty. Didn't you know? It's empty!

[Jkap_Goat]

FFXI open world is fun, and very dangerous, I love it

[Guilty_Mithra]

Gathering? Maps? Hunts?

Pretty much that, yes.

Honestly now that they've concluded the first big arc of XIV's life (unless you want to count 1.0), I'm hoping they do a lot more with open world stuff. As fun as instanced content is, I'd really like to see some more compelling content. It seems like a bit of a waste, putting all of these hours into art assets that - unless you do x y z activities - a lot of players won't ever see again outside of a hub city unless they just feel like it.

Not asking for a sudden turn from themepark into sandbox (although...) because that's just not what FFXIV is about, but as gorgeous as the overworld is in XIV, it's just weird that it doesn't get used more. They do so much work and then...