I'm Starting to Understand

[LilimoLimomo]

...why people just buy the story skip. I'm somewhere near the end of Heavensward (not yet to Post-Heavensward); and it feels like it's just never going to end....

This is just my experience, but when I originally played ARR and Heavensward, I didn't enjoy the characters or the story. I eventually stopped playing. But a few years later, I came back, and I this time I changed my voice language to Japanese. ARR's story was still clunky, but I wasn't absolutely alienated by the characters. And Heavensward I really enjoyed. It's subjective I'm sure, but for me the English voice actors just don't put enough emotion into their delivery; nearly every line feels stiff. However, the Japanese cast does a great job of making me feel like these are real characters with thoughts and feelings. It really made all the difference for me, so if you find yourself not enjoying the story, I'd recommend giving this a try! You can then go rewatch some of the cutscenes by using the book in any inn room to reset your vibes on these characters and the overall story.

[Reimmi]

But do you want it to end? When I was doing Heavensward, I didn't want it to end.

The only reason to want it to end is if you are in a rush and trying to get to something later in the game (or because you want to move onto another game). In that case, perhaps you are not playing for story but for this other thing that you are rushing towards.

Maybe they want to raid with their friends