amazing
Definitely more narrative of a narrative over content patch but they did so many things well. I really just enjoyed the story. So many unexpected things, Minfillia, Estinien, Emmanellain. I was very engaged all the way through even if some parts were a bit iffy like the whole grand company melee somehow fixing the problems but I guess it's just medieval logic, fighting solves everything. But you're still seeing the effects of the war and how people are just so reluctant to give into peace because war is all they've ever known. I just really liked it.
This review contains spoilers
While this patch does feel more narratively focused than the last, with its final moments tying back into the cliffhanger that was set up at the end of HW proper, there was not as much shock value here as the last patch. Hell, Minfilia's death(?) was so anticlimactic that I just rolled my eyes. And the "melee" tournament was honestly not as interesting as I expected.
Still, there's plenty that this patch does to keep the story rolling along, with Nidhogg's rude interruption of the peace conference being quite memorable. The Antitower was also a really solid dungeon, with its final boss taking the form of a giant demonic baby doll come to life; certainly, an image I will not soon forget.
The best scene? Emmanellain getting completely socked in the face by Thancred.
Still, there's plenty that this patch does to keep the story rolling along, with Nidhogg's rude interruption of the peace conference being quite memorable. The Antitower was also a really solid dungeon, with its final boss taking the form of a giant demonic baby doll come to life; certainly, an image I will not soon forget.
The best scene? Emmanellain getting completely socked in the face by Thancred.
Surprisingly hefty patch! Really cool dungeon and great story developments. This really should've been 3.1, or at least some of what's here should've been put into that.
If 3.1 avoided speaking much about the cliffhanger at the end of 3.0, this slowly brings Ishgard once again to the forefront. There is something not very great about its politics—I'm specifically thinking about rulers setting up a fancy match to pass through changes whilst the citizenry is swelling up with national pride and distracted.
Narratively, though, it's nice to return the focus to tying up loose threads instead of the mild meandering confusion of 3.1.
I am also unsure of why the Minfillia storyline was split between 3.1 and 3.2—I guess the writers might have wanted yet another cliffhanger, but surely doing so must have damped the strength of the reveal.
Narratively, though, it's nice to return the focus to tying up loose threads instead of the mild meandering confusion of 3.1.
I am also unsure of why the Minfillia storyline was split between 3.1 and 3.2—I guess the writers might have wanted yet another cliffhanger, but surely doing so must have damped the strength of the reveal.
ty for giving the Ishgardian twink more screen time
Why cause all these political problems and then just pretend that the melee actually could have solved any of it? Its not ever brought up again in any meaningful way...
plot is moving again, very solid story content and yeah, overall a pretty great patch
This review contains spoilers
Finally getting things moving, a lot of solid character development and plot beats in this one. Really excited to see how things shake out next patch with the war in full swing. Rip to Minfilia btw
8/10
8/10