When I started Heavensward I was optimistic but still somewhat doubtful, Arr was a very exhausting play through with me and I doubt I would've stuck through it if I hadn't have had my Father to play with me, with that being said Heavensward really made me feel that this game can be truly special.

Heavensward writing was clearly a shift for this games focus in Arr which was to build an Mmo not an amazing story. Dogma, Lose, Cyclical War, and Hope Heavensward themes brings a much needed breath of fresh Air compared to Arr's brooding the games scope as well as its idea's. Character writing is so much better it feels like im experiencing real characters instead of cardboard stand ins now my favorites are Estinien, and Ysayle espically their dynamic with how they show the hope for a better tomorrow and damage of the Dragonsong War.

I think gameplay has also really grown on me I played mostly Paladin in my Heavensward play through up till 3.4 where i switched to Gunbreaker but it was thoroughly enjoyable, getting big pulls and actually pulling it off is very satisfying. Dungeons and Trials (espically Thordans and Nidhoggs trial are fun) feel much more fine tuned and not just something thrown in.

I do have problems with it despite it all but while they are problems I dont think its horrendous. During the third act the pacing just falls flat on its face and really doesnt pick up till you get to the final area. There's also some really janky integration of some of the idea's going on in the third act (asican prime being one). Plot isn't as tight as it could be in the base game but after the patches is pretty well knit.

Some miscellaneous praises of this game. Patch 3.2-3.4 is actually fucking nuts like its an amazing stretch of the game. The ost pops out a lot more in this game feels very well integrated compared to Arr's where outside of the town locations I don't think i cant remember one if i heard it. Setting of Ishgard and Cortheas are so damm good as well I love how much there is too each of their area's in this game.

All in all I really liked Heavensward this really felt like I was starting to understand what people meant by it gets good after Arr (regardless that it's a terrible statement), I feel like im only in the middle of something spectacular and that I can appreciate it so much more, Heavensward was awesome and I cant wait to play more Final Fanasy XIV.