I feel like people are too harsh on Endwalker, though...

[NeoORoark]

... That's not to say I don't have issues.

(Sorry if that seems bait-y, just couldn't fit all of that in the title.)

I mean exactly that. Maybe it's just the parts of the internet I'm on, but it feels like people really don't like this expansion, almost in it's entirety, when that feels like blowing it somewhat out of proportion. It's not nearly that bad... But it does have it's issues.

I've seen people diss the MSQ for being what it is, which, I personally believe to be an injustice of sorts. 6.0 had some of the most heart-string plucking, gut-wrenching, and tear-jerking story, interactions, and overall plot that I've ever had the joy of playing through... Though the patch content leaves much to be desired. Although I like Zero and think she could be an interesting enough character, I think doing what ARR did and setting up another story that we might not see the full pay off for until much later is a step backwards. Sure someday we might look back on it fondly and be happy we got that setup, but, I don't know- it feels like they're playing their hand a little early.

One thing I will give only flak for is the Relic Weapons though. Yes, we've heard that a million times. What they did this expansion just wasn't right. Where as with Shadowbringers relics we were all going to new and old content alike, breathing life into parts of the game that might not have seen much action otherwise, Endwalker told us to just... Play. Sure I can do that, but isn't it better to give your players a journey to actually undergo? Being as simple as just playing the game makes it feel as if there's no reason to really do much during this break period. Content that doesn't see much action is laying there dusty on the shelf, and the new content they introduced is seeing less action than it could- I still haven't made it to the bottom of Eureka Orthos. Maybe I would have done that by now if I had more of an incentive to do it.

Ah, maybe I'm just complaining a bit too much. Me and my friends are all excited for the new story, and the new classes in Dawntrail, knowing full well that we're not doing much other than having fun in the Turalian sun, so maybe I shouldn't look back on what got us here so negatively. Even if it wasn't the best thing to go through, I'm still grateful it got us to this point, so now we can go on a new adventure!

[Rolder50]

I'm pretty sure that when people complain about the story, they are almost always referring to the patch content. Don't think anyone has much issue with the main expansion story, except for some nitpicking about time travel and what have you.

[rawker]

It's the oversimplification and Homogenization that is problematic.

[Sayo_]

I'm pretty sure that when people complain about the story, they are almost always referring to the patch content. Don't think anyone has much issue with the main expansion story, except for some nitpicking about time travel and what have you.

I have some problems with the main expansion story but I'm not sure if this is the place to talk about them.

[Absurdity]

I'm pretty sure that when people complain about the story, they are almost always referring to the patch content. Don't think anyone has much issue with the main expansion story, except for some nitpicking about time travel and what have you.

https://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/...walker/page930
Granted half of the thread is probably just people arguing in circles but that's still over 400 pages of grievances with Endwalker's story.
If you look at it with a more critical eye and not just through the "It made me feel things"-lens then there are absolutely issues with the 6.0 MSQ.

[Nighthawky2010]

I enjoyed EW. I do at times think MSQ was too heavy for some players with the suicide scene, mother & baby dying, etc.
There are some aspects EW that could have been done better but overall I liked & enjoyed EW.

[Carin-Eri]

Repeating what I said in another thread, but since it's just as relevant here:
I'm actually not in the 'Endwalker sucks' camp here - I enjoyed it and I'm not willing to pretend otherwise. And I wasn't exposed to the pre-launch marketing/hype since I didn't start playing the game until shortly after EW launched and avoided anything related to it for the sake of not spoiling the MSQ for myself. Playing the MSQ at my own pace, I didn't actually reach Endwalker until the following March.

And I watched the Footfalls Cinematic right before I started Endwalker. To this day I still think that cinematic was incredible - I recall watching it that first time. The music and the lyrics, the promise of a 'end of the world' scenario story. The emphasis on the moon and the question of it's role in the story, not to mention the question of why the Warrior of Light was actually on the moon - alone no less! I was completely blown away by it and couldn't wait to see how it would all translate into the story.

But even as someone who very much enjoyed Endwalker.... I don't think the story quite lived up to what the cinematic portrayed.

'The Final Days' should've been a world-changing, almost apocalyptic, event - but it doesn't feel as if it had as big an impact, or long-term consequence, on the world as Dalamud/Bahamut did.

[DrWho2010]

i think the "impact" was lessened because until Bahamut's wings burst forth from Dalamud we had absolutely no idea (I think) about what was going to happen so it was a big shock.

Whereas for the Final Days we had already witnessed a preview via the Shadowbringers storyline so we knew what to expect when it started happening.

[Supersnow845]

i think the "impact" was lessened because until Bahamut's wings burst forth from Dalamud we had absolutely no idea (I think) about what was going to happen so it was a big shock.

Whereas for the Final Days we had already witnessed a preview via the Shadowbringers storyline so we knew what to expect when it started happening.

That’s a big thing, as dalamud fell during legacy we had no idea what was going to happen

A giant dragon elder primal bound by an scientist society was not high amongst the list of potential things dalamud falling was likely to lead to

[Saraide]

i think the "impact" was lessened because until Bahamut's wings burst forth from Dalamud we had absolutely no idea (I think) about what was going to happen so it was a big shock.

Whereas for the Final Days we had already witnessed a preview via the Shadowbringers storyline so we knew what to expect when it started happening.

IMO at the end of the story arc it's better to have a threat that has been built up to as main villian. Otherwise we're left with something like FF9's Necron who looks cool and all but was a massive pull from the butt.