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Final Fantasy 14 Endwalker Review | MMORPG.com
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Final Fantasy 14 Endwalker Review | MMORPG.com
Endwalker concludes FFXIV's decade-long narrative with a lofty, risky, and ambitious story. But is it worth forging ahead?
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I actually have only one objective complaint about Endwalker narrative - how you finish the ''big bad''. I think now Warrior of Light is a "Gary Stu'' and can always stay ''beyond mortal limits'' to win. Its a bit sad when you start to read something but you remember ''oh, its ok, you always can fight beyond mortal limits and win''. But i understand some people dont care - or even like.
I'm going to be honest, I think Shadowbringers was actually cleaner narratively than Endwalker, though the latter just attempts to do a lot more and that's where I give a lot of kudos. But it has way more forgettable dungeons and MSQ downtime, which is frustrating given that's the meat and bones of FFXIV. So it's kind of a give-or-take thing?
At this point, I wouldn't blame anyone trying to defend Endwalker, Shadowbringers or even Heavensward as the best expac. They're all just genuinely stellar.
I'm one of the crew ''Heavensward was the best expac'', lol. I think 3rd map story have similarities with Dragonsong aftermath and its my best spot of Endwalker narrative.
lol I agree with them trying to add a lot of stuff into this one, after a certain point, it felt like they were trying to add 2-3 expansions worth of storytelling in this one.
now SE added normal raid...that 4 bosses last 1h ....counting queue , they are fun no doubt! loved the last boss reminds me of some boss in that other game
anyway , while there is DR , crafting , gathering , alts and whatnot i still feel that something like Mythic + is still missing ...
Picture from january 2020
I agree. Every time I have tried to login it's a 2500-3500 que and I just don't have the time to sit a wait so I haven't even been able to play. I'll just have to wait for it too cool off a bit. So I'll see you in ESO till then!!
I'm not an IT Specialist, Game Developer, or Clairvoyant in real life, but like others on here, I play one on the internet.
Your character isn't going to die. You're always going to win. There isn't really another option in a game where you continue playing once the story is "finished." That's arguably why it's impressive that they have managed to tell a story that still carries emotional weight and a feeling of consequences even when you already know going in you're the winner.
I would actually be interested to know what server you play on. I have played this game on Excalibur since 1.0, and other than the first few days to a week of an expac launch I have NEVER seen a queue time to get into the server until summer 2021. So yeah no, Server queues have not "always existed" in this game. As far as spending money, perhaps you need to go watch some live letters or read some interviews about the devs talking about spending 2-3x the asking price for server hardware only to be told there is none available. Nobody could have aniticipated the mass exodus that happened. When you run a game server for years you base everything off trends, if the past trends dont show a flood of people, then there is no reason to prepare for such an event to occur.
There's always been an element of this within the game's community, but it's really exploded since Shadowbringers. I remember reading much more rounded and balanced reviews of FFXIV with ARR, Heavensward, and even Stormblood.
Now? Don't even dare utter a critical syllable, unless it's completely drowned in apologetics in the next sentence.
Since Shadowbringers, if you don't agree "FFXIV is the best MMORPG on the market", or dare criticize anything about it at all, well.. best be prepared for the rabid fans to pour out of the woodwork to let you know the problem is *you*. Clearly *you're* not playing it correctly. Obviously there's a flaw in *your* judgement. FFXIV is the best MMO out there, because they say so, and no other opinion is welcome. Disagree? Well they don't want *your* negativity in *their* game.
This article opens with just such a condition...
" If you’re willing to put as much of your heart as the team has all these years, it’s a hell of a ride."
There it is. Didn't enjoy Endwalker? Well, clearly, you just weren't playing with the same kind of "heart and enthusiasm the designers put into it". The problem is *you*.
It's sad.
I've commented before how funny it is that ESO players acknowledge the uptick in its numbers is all the people leaving WoW checking it out. Same with GW2. For FFXIV zealots, it's "because they know FFXIV is the best MMO on the market!". The delusion is real.
The superlatives I keep seeing thrown at this expansion by people around the web, whose descriptions otherwise don't paint it as anything that remarkable, has been notable. Something that would be described as "passable" or "okay" for any other MMO is automatically upgraded to "great!" or "brilliant!", purely because it's FFXIV. Any lesser opinion is forbidden.
So long as the zealotry and intolerance of any criticism around this game exists, I doubt any high profile personality or website will honestly review or critique it. They've been beaten into obedience by a small army of zealots who won't allow it.
To be clear... I'm fine with people enjoying a game. I'm happy when people find a game they can really enjoy, even if it's one I'm not crazy about. But the cult-like zealotry I've seen develop around FFXIV - even while I was playing it myself - is just creepy.
This phenomena of harsh reactions to criticism is not unique to FFXIV, however. It happens with lots of games, and it especially happened with WoW and Blizzard in general back in the day. I remember when it was widely regarded that Blizzard was best gaming company in the world, that their games were the best, even after Diablo 3. But the reality is that they actually stopped being the best company long, long before the majority stopped repeating that mantra. We get invested in these things and liking [game] or liking [company] can become a part of our identity. An attack on the game/company is an attack on our egos, so we defend and dismiss.
Regarding the story of FFXIV, I think overall it is good, but the truth is that different stories and experiences resonate differently with each person depending on their life experience and state of mind. Even though I like FFXIV, when I read someone saying that it is the best story they have ever experienced in any medium, it leaves me scratching my head. I guess at some point, these things stop impressing us as much.
Though the inclusion of "Bunny boys hot" in the pros says just about everything as to how seriously to take it, so good job on that i guess. Just a circlejerk pleaser article to get more clicks
Agreed. It's not all players, not by a long shot. But it's enough. And sadly, those with more reasonable voices can't seem to be bothered to offset the zealotry with their own views. Or, they just don't want the aggravation of being met by wails of outrage by people who can't separate "criticism of a video game" from "a personal attack on themself".
As for this behavior being present in all MMOs. Yes. But it's a lot. And they are LOUD, and aggressive.
Simply saying "it happens in all MMOs" when discussing FFXIV is grossly understated. It's not a matter of "that it happens". It's how *much* it happens. It's a matter of degree. White Knights and fanboys/girls are one thing. FFXIV zealots are on a whole other level.
In all the MMOs I've played, going back to 2002 (more than I can begin to remember), I've seen an element of "white knights". Guild Wars 2 had a definite element of that, but they eventually settled down. I remember Darkfall fans getting fanatical before its original release. They, too, settled down. SWToR? Yep. Same.
But none come even close, not even within a country mile, of the zealotry and intolerance of those within FFXIV's fanbase. It's no contest. I stopped playing FFXIV - in part - because I was sick of dealing with this in-game. I couldn't have a reasonable, level-headed conversation with another FC member, 'cause without fail, zealots in the FC would start raging, telling me to "STFU", "go back to WoW", "you're an idiot", "we don't want your negativity in our game". One petitioned to the FC leader to have me kicked. All because I said I wasn't crazy about a few quests that felt like obvious filler. This happened in FC chat, and in voice chat. Far more than once.
I've had people in other MMOs debate me or fervently disagree with an opinion, even get a bit heated about it. But no one ever tried to have me kicked from the guild or tell me to "GTFO" or that "my negativity wasn't wanted in *their* game". It happened numerous times in FFXIV.
Further, in other games, the fanaticism starts off strong and then wanes with time. In XIV, it's going the opposite direction. The zealotry is increasing over time. Like I said before, you didn't see this kind of pandering back with ARR, Heavensward or Stormblood. Reviews and opinions were more well-rounded and reasoned, and the backlash was far less extreme.
I've seen a couple video reviews of Endwalker already where the creator is overall very positive about it, but still shares a few critiques of things that bugged them. The comments are rampant with people bashing them, saying "they didn't even play it", "they didn't play it right", and on and on... all the usual arguments they use to dismiss "offensive opinions".
Again, the intolerance and hostility of FFXIV zealots is on a whole other level. Worse, this intolerance has clearly affected the way media creators and websites cover it. And that's a disservice to the readers/viewers hoping for a fair, evenly penned review.
Exactly. Citing "Bunny boys" as a contributor to a near perfect score really does say it all: This review is pure pandering.
Including "Lovely new areas and soundtracks" as a notable Pro is also a softball. Good looking areas and great music is baseline for FF in general, including FFXIV. It's like praising water for being wet.
Of course, omitting those two Pros would leave the Pros/Cons evenly split, which would make the obvious pandering of a near perfect score even more apparent. It's a "safe" opinion.
They couldn't think of even two other notable things to list instead? That's telling.
The pandering also shows in the "pre-qualifier" they throw in...
" If you’re willing to put as much of your heart as the team has all these years, it’s a hell of a ride."
A good game or expansion stands on its own merit. It doesn't need requirements on "how it should be properly experienced". Again, very telling.
I've read much more positively written reviews that didn't come close to a near perfect score, on this very site.
Let's just be honest... This expansion was getting a 9.5 no matter what. Again, scoring it anything less would bring the wrath of angry FFXIV zealots down upon them, and they know it. They'd probably have to close the comments to stop the firestorm.
Poor quest design, poor fate design, and open zones that are flat, dull, and have nothing dynamic about them. Take a moment to mount up on a Griffon in GW2 and see how vertical map design with interconnecting caves, puzzles, and dynamic events all work together to create an engaging zone.
I don't bring up GW2 to laud it around as a better MMO, I bring it up to point out the failings of XIV that are an issue that continues to be looked over. The game continues to get high marks when it has so many shortcomings as an MMO.
There is no innovation here. High 9's should be saved for games that are clearly moving forward. It's a game with a stagnant formula and the phrase "Don't fix it if it ain't broke" is such a creative and growth stunt phrase to live by. "Don't fix it, because you don't have any better ideas" is the correct phrase, which the Devs clearly show they don't.