7.0 News from Reddit.

[aveyond-dreams]

As can be gleaned from the following information posted to the FFXIV subreddit, it appears that the traditional retreat for the expansion has since been completed after an earlier interview was not very clear as to the future direction of 7.0. However, the brief snippets of information above have me concerned for multiple reasons. To quote Krile back in the Heavensward patches, “Really?”

Given that the expansion is unlikely to release prior to January or February 2024 it is important for people to let their thoughts be known as both new information regarding 7.0 is released, along with the reception to the coming 6.X patches. Simply put, the last thing we need is another Sharlayan in the party. Stacking the Scions full of scholarly types from the same single nation aside from Estinien has led to a critical lack of diversity in both appearance and ideology amongst the player party. Krile being a lalafell is a change of pace in terms of looks alright, but I struggle to comprehend what she could possibly bring in terms of personality and lore expositions that Y’shtola does not – given that it seems we will never be rid of the latter.

It is also concerning that this interview brings up even more “goofiness” as if that wasn’t one of the reasons why 6.0 has been criticized for the way in which it handled both its pacing and the main cast. Granted, I believe that characters should have multiple facets of their personality displayed over the course of the main story but “goofiness” is the last thing that we need after the sort of scenes we saw in 6.0 and 6.1. If Krile is to be a compelling addition to the main cast, she must be allowed to grow as a character, suffer loss, sacrifice, and emerge either triumphant or else suffer something in the way of permanent consequences arising from whatever actions she takes in 7.0.

I have nothing to comment on in terms of a potential new outfit for her, though I was never a fan of the yellow color scheme chosen for what are clearly Devout-inspired robes which have traditionally been shown as white, pink, and red. An outfit change should be the last priority when her character is relatively underdeveloped at present. If the plan for her to “play an active role” aka joining the party comes to fruition, special care must be taken to ensure that she fulfils an interesting spot in the party.

And, naturally, if she is to come with us then the last thing we need is for the rest of the Scions to come along apart from the ones that have already pledged themselves to our cause, Estinien and Y’shtola. Thancred’s character arc is over. Urianger’s character arc is over. The twins have long since exhausted many players’ patience and short of meaningful progression for them or ageing them up I cannot divine a reason as to why we should bring them with us again. In any case, one student of Baldesion is more than enough. The other has had his adventure with us already, our end of the bargain fulfilled.