Final Fantasy XIV - Kiwi Free Company

[Rich Evans Ayypologist]

Let's see how bad things cock up there.

I'm about halfway through things, and as I neither feel like waking up at three in the morning nor skipping work to be able to play, I'll likely stay there for a while. If Labyrinthos is a key part of why people find the beginning to be a bit slow, the bulk of the moon's content is a serious pacing issue for its place in the overall narrative.

I think part of it comes from the fact that Garlemald is so relatively short - and it was also the most interesting narrative string of content, probably because it was chalk full of references to things that had already been developed rather than a slew of new ideas just deluged. I really would have preferred a second Garlemald zone - why not the outskirts and the city? Or the city and the tower? - rather than fucking Labyrinthos or the endless number of fetch quests that is the second half of the moon.

 

[Fcret]

I am not sure how far through I am in Garlemald

Spoiler

but why do they have to kill off every Garlean who starts spitting straight facts, god dammit I had high hopes for you Quintus, great scene but I wish he stuck around for longer, I really was liking his character.

.

Don't read this until you're basically at the end of the final zone but

Spoiler

Garlemald's story is basically a parallel of how the Omicrons, the society Omega came from, got started, and you're supposed to see how quickly 'conquest for self-preservation' turns into an endless nihilistic grind for strength with no greater purpose at the end. After all, Garlemald was on the back foot even before the end of days came and its society was completely dissolute. There's fundamentally a better way forwward but Quintus is just literally too blackpilled to accept it.

 

[Dante Alighieri]

Someone tell me when it's a good time to go back to leveling as a trial account.

 

[Übertroon]

Moon should definitely have been shortened for more Garlemald.
Garlean Der Untergang was peak kino

 

[StuffedBallot]

Up to about 86-87.

This really was started like Stormblood done right, and I was all ready to be settled in for a middle of the road thing. And then Ishikawa started doing Ishikawa things in Garlemand and it really hasnt let up since.

Shadowbringers is the better self contained expansion, but The brutal efficiency of how plot points are being wrapped up is impressive.

Also the throwbacks to old ff games are as good as ever, moonshit included

 

[Zeke Von Genbu]

Without spoiling is the general consensus that it is a good MSQ and at least as good as ShB? As long as it's actually written well I don't mind if there are a few flaws here and there.

If you can stand a few flaws, you'll like Endwalker at the very least by the end. It is very long and dense, sometimes feels like padding but it doesn't feel like it is stuffed with filler just a lot of detail and talking, but if you got the patience for it you'll like it. I think it is at least close to ShB and better then the other 3 MSQs, if not solely due to production values and how it didn't at least be a really shitty ending to the whole story. It is fairly low combat though, relatively speaking, so if that's a deal breaker you might not like it.

 

[Smug Chuckler]

Moon should definitely have been shortened for more Garlemald.
Garlean Der Untergang was peak kino

No, the part with the bunnies should have been shortened for more Moon, how the fuck they screwed up with the coolest premise?

 

[Zeke Von Genbu]

So in my quest to see if anyone acknowledges anything that just happened, I noticed that out of all the jobs npcs only Sidurgu has any thoughts on what happened. It appears like you only get something if you're level 90 and have completed the MSQ. Obvious spoilers is obvious, but if you know the final objective given around level 87-88 you can pretty safely read this as it doesn't really talk about what actually happened besides that you went to the final zone and fought stuff.

Spoiler: Sidurgu speech

 

[CptnSnshn]

So in my quest to see if anyone acknowledges anything that just happened, I noticed that out of all the jobs npcs only Sidurgu has any thoughts on what happened. It appears like you only get something if you're level 90 and have completed the MSQ. Obvious spoilers is obvious, but if you know the final objective given around level 87-88 you can pretty safely read this as it doesn't really talk about what actually happened besides that you went to the final zone and fought stuff.

Spoiler: Sidurgu speech

Ver archivo adjunto 2781134

The only thing I'm salty about is that there isn't an extended trust system where you get to use people from job storylines for dungeons, even if they have no lines imagine how dope it'd be to rock up to The Gran Cosmos with Sidurgu, Hilda and Jannequinard.
Ishgard Represent!

 

[Kane Lives]

Now that I'm done with the MSQ. I gotta say, the end was a blast. Zenos letting you ride on him while you beat crap out of the Endsinger was hilarious, ngl.

I'll probably take a few days to digest then post my full thoughts.

 

[M3xus]

Spoiler: Well, I understand the pacing complaints now

Zodiark is dead. Without Him, the natural order of the star shall unravel, bringing about fiery catacysm and beasts conjured from Man's deepest nightmares. Etheirys will be swallowed up in an orgy of fire and death until none remain.

Let's spend a few hours doing fetch quests for cute little bunny people!

To their credit, you are given a rundown on just how long it took to make the Moonship, and it does answer the Sharlayan question early if you pay attention. I would have liked more Ancient stuff instead, though.

Level 83 trial was a lot of fun, though. Can't wait for what comes next.

 

[Vulcanusii]

Finished the 89 trial and...

Spoiler

being able to do this trial with the rest of the scions was amazing. Not only are you fighting alongside all these characters you've grown to love, but they react so organically to the fight. For example, at first they have trouble figuring out the mechanic, same with you. Eventually you'll see them understand the fight and they'll even give little ques to other characters (ex: Estinien yelling at Alphinaud to watch out for aoes when the boss changes weapons.)

 

[Zeke Von Genbu]

Finished the 89 trial and...

Spoiler

being able to do this trial with the rest of the scions was amazing. Not only are you fighting alongside all these characters you've grown to love, but they react so organically to the fight. For example, at first they have trouble figuring out the mechanic, same with you. Eventually you'll see them understand the fight and they'll even give little ques to other characters (ex: Estinien yelling at Alphinaud to watch out for aoes when the boss changes weapons.)

Spoiler: 89 trial

Actually some figure them out faster then others. Y'shtola (she claims she can feel the aether/aoes) and Urianger (who seems to just pick up on patterns well) seem to learn them almost immediately, and Alisaie actually fails most of the time likely due to recklessness. Estinien is too battle honed to get tricked as easily, and Alphinaud is also a little slow on the upkeep compared to Urianger due to inexperience. I couldn't tell with G'raha and Thancred, but I assume they learn fine.

This was an incredible idea though and I was very caught off guard when it was a trial with trusts and not a solo instance because I never believed that they'd make trusts for trials. Also as a note Urianger can play dps if you are playing healer and G'raha cannot play healer in this fight as he'll need to tank with Thancred.

 

[Rubedo]

Remember... Remember us. That we once queued.

 

[cheese shaped mouse]

I started playing FFXIV in mid-August and nolifed Endwalker over the weekend until I finished it Monday.

Having never played an MMO before, let alone any text/lore heavy RPGs (never having played something like Skyrim, Dragon Age, or the like), maybe I have no concept for how video games can tell a story but: This is by far the best game I have ever played, I'm absolutely obsessed with it. The conclusion of Endwalker had me sobbing so hard there was a trail of tears forming a puddle on my chest.

Genuinely, since August I've racked up over 25 days of in-game playtime because of how much I like this game.

That being said, I've rapidly realized there is no other explanation than rampant autism for how much I've played this game.

 

[Kane Lives]

I started playing FFXIV in mid-August and nolifed Endwalker over the weekend until I finished it Monday.

Having never played an MMO before, let alone any text/lore heavy RPGs (never having played something like Skyrim, Dragon Age, or the like), maybe I have no concept for how video games can tell a story but: This is by far the best game I have ever played, I'm absolutely obsessed with it. The conclusion of Endwalker had me sobbing so hard there was a trail of tears forming a puddle on my chest.

Genuinely, since August I've racked up over 25 days of in-game playtime because of how much I like this game.

That being said, I've rapidly realized there is no other explanation than rampant autism for how much I've played this game.

It's definitely above-average/good for a MMO.

That said, mainlining all the MSQ in like 3 months is definitely a sign of autism. Godspeed, my fellow autist.

 

[SnowBall]

If you can stand a few flaws, you'll like Endwalker at the very least by the end. It is very long and dense, sometimes feels like padding but it doesn't feel like it is stuffed with filler just a lot of detail and talking, but if you got the patience for it you'll like it. I think it is at least close to ShB and better then the other 3 MSQs, if not solely due to production values and how it didn't at least be a really shitty ending to the whole story. It is fairly low combat though, relatively speaking, so if that's a deal breaker you might not like it.

I've been playing since the 1.0 disaster so I'm glad it's at least well received and good. This was supposed to be the end of the major story arc and Ishikawa had a huge burden to crush it and knock it out of the park it seemed she was able to pull it off. Must have been super nerve wracking to have all those high expectations placed on you.

 

[CharcoalChkn]

I must say I am having the shittiest time with that body swap instanced duty.

I'm tired af after a long day of work, guess I'll go through it tomorrow when I am not missing as many brain cells.

 

[StuffedBallot]

I must say I am having the shittiest time with that body swap instanced duty.

Spoiler

it is quite literally: demoralization: the duty. Props to the gameplay designers. I failed that shit like four times before i made it through

Anybody make a Metal Gear Solid: Endwalker joke yet?

 

[Zeke Von Genbu]

I must say I am having the shittiest time with that body swap instanced duty.

I'm tired af after a long day of work, guess I'll go through it tomorrow when I am not missing as many brain cells.

Spoiler: Answers to what you need to do

So imagine the duty area as a rectangle.

The key to the magitek armor to the north eastern side of the map you find in a random NPC inside a building just south (so run downwards) of the magitek suit. You'll see a text box asking for help, talk to him to get the key.

The fuel is near some broken armor on the west side of the map which you must carry to the armor, if you run carefully you should only aggro maybe a soldier or two (they seem to have a sight cone, so if you carefully run behind where they're facing you are probably going to dodge them. Its fine to aggro some you'll just briefly drop the fuel and can repick it up again. Have both your CDs just in case. After that, the duty is very straight forward.

You have a ton of time, I was lost for almost 10 minutes and I had about 7 minutes left by the end.