Two huge expansions coming this year! (poll)

Calintz333

As many of you likely know there are two big expansions coming out this year to two of the most successful mmorpgs on the market today. I'm talking about Heavensward for FFXIV and Heart of Thorns for Guild Wars 2. 

 

As someone who has played both FFXIV and Guild Wars 2 to end game, I cannot seem to make up my mind regarding what expansion I really want to get. I have already assessed that I no longer have the time to play two mmos at once, nor would I want to divide my time between two games as it really limits what I can accomplish in either of them. 

I truly enjoyed both FFXIV and Guild Wars about equally. I love the community on FFXIV, the stylistic look of the characters and world, as well as the amazing music, story, and just the Final Fantasy lore that surrounds the game. The only real downside to FFXIV is the fact that to this day there really is only one class that I have enjoyed playing, that is Dragoon. I have been with the game since launch, and have tried virtually every class to level 35-45, but have always given up on them since I don't really have fun playing them. With that said, I absolutely adore Dragoon. 

With Guild Wars 2 the fact that the game is Free to play, coupled by the fact that it actually has more classes that I enjoy playing has made it an absolute treat. I have a max level Ranger, Mesmer, and currently working on Thief. I am looking forward to all of the specializations that will be coming out in the Heart of Thorns expansion, and the fact that Anet has said they will not raise the level cap or add significantly more powerful gear than what is currently available is quite tempting. The downside with GW2 is that I'm not really a huge PvP fan. After a certain point, the only things left to do in that game are either farm cosmetic skins or participate in WvW. 

 

So what do you all think? If both games were a solid 8.5/10 in your book, and you had to choose between one of the expansions, which expansion would you choose and why? 

Again, the question assumes that you would be in a position where you enjoy both games. If you do not play GW2/FFXIV, or have not enjoyed either game, just think back to a time when you enjoyed two different mmos and what decision you would make there. 

 

Looking forward to the comments / discussion. 

 

Thanks! 

Azaron_Nightblade

I couldn't get into FFXIV, so GW2 Heart of Thorns gets my very biased vote.

It sounds like you enjoy GW2's gameplay more though, since you've given up on all the classes on FFXIV while maxing several characters on GW2. So more content for GW2 (AKA getting the expansion) may be the best way to go for you.

Axehilt

Guess I'd vote FFXIV.  I enjoyed both games, but had similar criticisms for each (several classes weren't that fun in FFXIV, and GW2's lack of PVE endgame) and unless GW2's expansion solves that problem it seems like FFXIV would be the better choice.

azarhal

Both are rather underwhelming expansions from my point of view. Although, I give GW2 the edge for shaking some of the mechanics up, while FFXIV is just adding more of the same.

Ngeldu5t

I would say both because the are both one of a kind and there's no other game like them.

kinido

XIV for the win.

 

viney123

They're 2 completely different games.. FFXIV is almost solely about the PVE content, with a tiny bit of PVP slipped in there hiding.

 

GW2 is a universal game with a lot to do, but a large emphasis on PVP or PvPvE.

 

Both have good graphics, although FFXIV completely stomps the yard for best graphics AND optimization.

 

GW2 is only for PC, while FFXIV is for PC and PS3/4/Tablet. (Yes, FFXIV can even be played on a Tablet.)

 

GW2 is Buy to Play. Big difference compared to FFXIV which is Pay to Play. The communities are entirely different, as are the Cash Shops. I myself prefer the P2P Cash Shop of just a few cosmetics and some transfer services.

 

GW2 has a following of fans of GW1, so about 10 years, maybe a tad more. FFXIV has fans of the entire Final Fantasy genre, spanning 20+ years.

 

/endrant

Yaevindusk

Originally posted by azarhal

Both are rather underwhelming expansions from my point of view. Although, I give GW2 the edge for shaking some of the mechanics up, while FFXIV is just adding more of the same.

 

FFXIV changes mechanics and adds / updates systems on a patch by patch basis rather than wait for expansions.  That said, they're implementing changes to the combat system, Global Cooldown, storyline dungeons, etc.  In addition to adding the ability to construct guild airships / flying mounts whereby you can set a chart for unknown islands and, if you're the first one there, get the plunder.  With the islands supposedly not having more than one set of items, and if you're the second one to find it, tough luck.  Add to that the changes to nearly every system in the game, including crafting and gather (entirely new metas, with FFXIV's crafters and gatherers being legit classes already with their own storylines, equipments, rotations, metas), learning lore of the area and unlocking special abilities through exploration and learning lore (which seems similar to the idea of exploring and doing things to unlock abilities in Heart of Thorns, if that's what was meant by changing things up).

 

Whereas in Guild Wars 2 they're basically just implementing another leveling mechanic or grind that doesn't contribute to level 80 as a whole but increases the ability to do things over time.  The new class looks fun, though if we're to do comparisons it's one new class versus three new classes; Guild Wars 2 classes can basically adopt "Advanced" classes of their original, but that's little more than just adding more flashy and well made abilities without increasing the level cap -- or how a Pugilist would turn into a Monk with FFXIV and get unique abilities for said advanced class.

 

Ultimately I'd say my hype is relatively even for both of them, as I'm not really excited for either.  What I am excited for is Storyline; I viewed GW2's original story as abysmal at best.  If they go back to their roots with what they did in Guild Wars, then it would be my #1 story online game.  Though as it stands the latest patches of FFXIV has really garnered my attention.  Not to mention core features of the game assisting with immersion on a RP basis -- sitting in chairs, laying in beds, having real idle stances that you could set your characters with (hands at waist, behind head, folded, etc.).  In addition that FFXIV has some of the best patch updates of the industry with them essentially providing three new dungeons per patch, new systems, system updates, raids, storyline, classes, race introductions, etc.  Housing, Marriage, Triple Triad, Goldsaucer, Chocobo Racing, Chocobo Raising/Breding/Training/Recoloring (all different systems), Beast hunting, Treasure hunting, Battlegrounds, new crafting systems like desynth... those are probably some of my favorite new systems, but there are quite a bit more, including PvP.

 

If money is no object in general, I'd always recommend supporting a game that has all of the above and not just minor updates from time to time.  Especially when FFXIV 2.0 will have an expansion out when it's barely even half the the age of GW2.  Though I'd imagine Buy to Play games are more enticing to people as a whole.  Especially when you have to really work in FFXIV if something isn't a couple patches old (or even then, in some cases); the game doesn't like to make things easy or hand things out until it has to by virtue of age or new content.

 

Though if one is interested in pretty much always having something to do at end game and not wallow as many have by end game of the original GW2, it pretty much goes without saying that FFXIV is the best bet.  It costs money, but they earn their subscription by the sheer volume of content they release with each patch.  Even providing many tools to allow you to create your own fun.

 

I'd have to see how Guild Halls are in Guild Wars II.  It's something I enjoy in FFXIV -- having guild mansions -- as well as the ability to construct guild airships come Heavensward.

 

Calintz333

Good points from both sides!

 

The poll results kind of mirror what I'm feeling, I love both games equally, but something about GW2 in my mind seems to have a slight edge. I can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe it was the 12+ years I spent in FFXI and I'm just subconsciously ready for a change. Still going to be a difficult decision as both are by far the best mmos on the market today (in my eyes). 

Kopogero

Wish I was more helpful with this topic, but since I never played or will these games I can't vote or see the poll outcome (something OP should've added for those like us to view the results).

Anyways, imo it comes down to a clear choice for the PvP crowd GW2 and PvE crowd FFXIV.

Fangrim

I can't vote because my answer is neither but I will comment because I tried both of them in beta and it was enough to know they were not my cup of tea. I understand me even commenting is probably(not prolly) spurious but people need to speak out about evils in the world..

Octagon7711

Both.  If I liked both games I would buy both expansions.  If money is an issue then GW2 cause you save more money in the long run cause there's no sub.

Reizla

I played both and would buy neither of them because of the PLAYED part. But if I were to pick either one up again I think I'd grab the FFXIV:ARR expansion over GW2. Reason being is that at level ~30 I already felt like GW2 had no more character progression for me, while FFXIV:ARR has tons of options for character progression because of the subclass/job system used...

Jemcrystal

For all that GW2 and FFXIV have in common they really are very different styled games.  GW2 went with self preservation self healing of all classes while FFXIV is an eco of the past FFXI in that they still depend heavily on the trinity.   Both GW2 & FFXIV took on aspects of RIFT with the gathering in the world to fight bosses but GW2 world bosses are impressively HUGE AZS MOTHFCKRS!  GW2 uses more of the WoW style coloring graphic art that gets more pixels per unit to less lagg when FFXIV went with the blocky intensely high graphic will lag old and dieing systems type art style.  GW2 story, not that I am into it cause I just don't care really, makes sense and has more depth that FFXIV where FFXIV seems more anime'ish.  GW2 is truly free after box price but FFXIV you keep paying for forever with the monthly payment plan.  GW2 crafting is easier to level than FFXIV's and more rewarding.  GW2 has more active Role Players chatting away in emotes where FFXIV community dissuades using public chat out of some phobia of gold spammers coming to abduct us all.  GW2 dungeons are merciless insane unless you run them in Story Mode but FFXIV has doable dungeons so long as you have a good grasp of trinity basics and can keep from falling asleep from repetition.  Costumes/clothing/armor in GW2 were more versatile with a slightly larger variety than in FFXIV.  GW2 has WvW EotM where you run around in a raid like group in a capture the flag style protect your fort instance where you can fall to your death if you haven't induced enough caffeine.  This is what I'm addicted to.  There is enough element of unpredictable that it's enjoyable.  For me.  Hands down GW2 has the biggest map/world I've walked (no mounts in this game) thru since FFXI so I'm staying with GW2.  There is always somewhere in GW2 I've not yet explored.  Tho I admit I miss chocobos.

grimal

GW2.  FF was not my cup of tea.

Bladestrom

Yep it is horses for courses, gw2 is a different type of game that offers something different. As for gear games, wow still edges it over rift but I'm not so sure about ff14, it has moved on a lot, whereas wow has further diluted itself furthervwith selfies and garrisons and another squill ion achieve points to fill in those daily ilevel increase lulls.

zaberfangx

I'll get both when they on sale, but I'm am not go in to the hype and buy them, and feel didn't get my money worth the time I'm playing them.

klaphood

From a PvE standpoint, there really isn't anything coming from GW2 that can beat XIV for me. (I'm a PvE player in MMORPGs)

 

The missing (tank) role(s) in GW2 make(s) bossfights more of a ping-pong & dodging game than a deeply strategical, standardized challenge that the bosses in (*cough* real MMOs *cough*) XIV's battle and group system can offer.

There's no item progression in this game other than visual effects, so once you've seen any dungeon once, there's no real motivation left to do them again more than one or two more times.

Aside from those fractals, there hasn't been ANY real new content high-end-PvE wise in ALMOST THREE YEARS now. Makes me roll my eyes every time I search for new content every few months or so and the only thing that's new is you can dance with Tyria's queen on a festival or play Super Mario in a box. Fun, but also ridiculously clearly showing why this game was never intended to have a monthly fee.

 

Whereas in XIV you get content updates basically every single month, with every other one being a 'real' new content update, with new raid encounters, new quests, new items and so on. And then there's also those fun events that deal with festivals or the world's story as well, besides the real content updates.

 

As you can see, I'm a (semi-hardcore) PvE player and thus, Heart of Blanks... um sorry, Thorns, is completely out of question for me.

 

TL;DR:

- PvE -> XIV

- PvP and/or casual fun dodge game -> GW2!

- oh, and 3 new classes that you might possibly like > 1 ;D

pkpkpk

I thought GW2 was closing its doors for good this year.

 

FFXIV--I have not heard that name in a while. Wasn't that game shut down, it failed so bad?

Charlie.Cheswick

FFXIV ARR

No diggity. No doubt.

rojoArcueid

I like both games and i will eventually buy both expansions but my vote goes to GW2 because of two reasons. 1) Its my mmo home. 2) I dont subscribe every month to sub based mmos plus i will be alternating it with WoW as well. So i will prioritize the game i will play more often.

 

But still im looking forward to both expansions. In my opinion, at the moment FFXIV is the only other themepark worth of a sub aside from WoW.

rojoArcueid

Originally posted by Demogorgon

Surprized by the result so far. This site is completly biased toward GW2.

Never seen so much cover for so little... and they keep at it. Yay! A seasonnal event in GW2 lets cover it cuz, you know, its not like there isn't these kind of things in almost every AAA MMORPG ever.

Gotta get those peeps in the ca$h $hop yo. /sigh

So because you dont like a game, any comment in favor of it is biased? seriously....

Azaron_Nightblade

Originally posted by rojoArcueid

Originally posted by Demogorgon

Surprized by the result so far. This site is completly biased toward GW2.

Never seen so much cover for so little... and they keep at it. Yay! A seasonnal event in GW2 lets cover it cuz, you know, its not like there isn't these kind of things in almost every AAA MMORPG ever.

Gotta get those peeps in the ca$h $hop yo. /sigh

So because you dont like a game, any comment in favor of it is biased? seriously....

I don't see why anyone would whine about the result of this poll anyway. It's rare to see one so closely matched. And he's acting as if the mods have somehow rigged the poll, while it's players that are doing the voting.

Ah well, some people...