I'm going to play Endwalker relatively soon, so in preparation for that, I will be reviewing each FFXIV entry!
Now, it's been quite some time ARR, to be specific, 1 year already. I have already talked about how I got into FFXIV in my first (yes, I'll do another review) Shadowbringers ""review"", so I don't want to go too much over that—but to summarize, looking back, it means a lot to me. Not only the expansions, but also ARR, at the end of the day, it was what got me to enjoy Eorzea!
At the beginning of the journey, you don't really know what to expect. You're a regular adventurer, ready to go exploring this beautiful world, and then, you get to your first city and witness all the people and their amazing glamours and just wonder (at least I did) what adventures they've had. I think probably the best thing about ARR is, precisely, its meaning. Yes, it has a pretty slow start, with some hilariously ridiculous, yet repetitive quests, and to be honest the Titan section was very...purposeless? But, with that said, I think in terms of narrative is a pretty charming introduction to the world of FFXIV. Also, after Titan, it gets going and I think it gets more grounded. The later arcs of 2.0 I thoroughly enjoyed—seeing Coerthas for the first time with Fealty playing in the background was a pretty misterious experience, and all the stuff leading to Operation Archon was great.
Yes, I still think the first half of 2.0 could have some quests removed, but I kind of also get the point of the game presenting you each mechanic and each zone. In retrospect, I like that approach, it's just that maybe they could remove some of the quests? What is kind of odd, is the story of 2.1 and 2.2, to be honest I actually don't remember it, only that it felt kind of out of place after 2.0's ending? Well, whatever, 2.3 was more solid and the 2.4 and .5 patches (which work as an ending for ARR while also building Heavensward) were hands down phenomenal, especially the ending, that 1 hour cutscene was pure peak.
Let's talk content. This may be the strongest point of ARR (more in terms of enjoyment and variety, because obviously the expansiones are way more polished in quality). You just have a ton of content, but like, really, a ton! It's interesting, because while the expansions are way more narrative-focused (which makes sense, given the stakes), ARR gives you more freedom, it's like it encourages the player to experience different typed of content! I myself didn't do too much side-quests, but there are some that are hilarious. Now, relavant content: I love Coils of Bahamut, it's probably my favorite narrative from ARR. Also, I find sad how some people just ditch Coils and say "x is better" and while it's definitely outdated (please Yoshi, re-balance Coils for it to be in the roulettes), it has a lot of charm to it. It's the first take on FFXIV raiding so, yes, the gameplay design is kind of odd sometimes, but the general experience is really meaningful! Play Coils if you haven't, it's woth it. Really. Also really enjoyed Crystal Tower, loved his first appearance and, this being mandatory just makes a lot of sense. Definitely, those were easier and happier times, now it's all suffering and despair.
This was long, I'm sorry!
To wrap things up: I'm grateful to ARR for being a part of my FFXIV journey. Yes, it gets harsh and tedious sometimes, but thinking back and just seeing how a good friend of mine is going through it and enjoying it, brings joy and memories. It's almost like sometimes I feel nostalgic about how I was also a regular adventurer once. Also, I might add, the "The Rising" event of this year was one of the most wholesome moments I've ever had in this game. There's a beauty in experiencing this type of ARR-inspired/ wholesome event content when you have gone through a lot of unforgettable experiences in the expansions, and just the game in general.
Here, it ends. I'll see you again in the snowy mountains of Coerthas. May our aching souls march Heavensward, as they've done for so long...
Now, it's been quite some time ARR, to be specific, 1 year already. I have already talked about how I got into FFXIV in my first (yes, I'll do another review) Shadowbringers ""review"", so I don't want to go too much over that—but to summarize, looking back, it means a lot to me. Not only the expansions, but also ARR, at the end of the day, it was what got me to enjoy Eorzea!
At the beginning of the journey, you don't really know what to expect. You're a regular adventurer, ready to go exploring this beautiful world, and then, you get to your first city and witness all the people and their amazing glamours and just wonder (at least I did) what adventures they've had. I think probably the best thing about ARR is, precisely, its meaning. Yes, it has a pretty slow start, with some hilariously ridiculous, yet repetitive quests, and to be honest the Titan section was very...purposeless? But, with that said, I think in terms of narrative is a pretty charming introduction to the world of FFXIV. Also, after Titan, it gets going and I think it gets more grounded. The later arcs of 2.0 I thoroughly enjoyed—seeing Coerthas for the first time with Fealty playing in the background was a pretty misterious experience, and all the stuff leading to Operation Archon was great.
Yes, I still think the first half of 2.0 could have some quests removed, but I kind of also get the point of the game presenting you each mechanic and each zone. In retrospect, I like that approach, it's just that maybe they could remove some of the quests? What is kind of odd, is the story of 2.1 and 2.2, to be honest I actually don't remember it, only that it felt kind of out of place after 2.0's ending? Well, whatever, 2.3 was more solid and the 2.4 and .5 patches (which work as an ending for ARR while also building Heavensward) were hands down phenomenal, especially the ending, that 1 hour cutscene was pure peak.
Let's talk content. This may be the strongest point of ARR (more in terms of enjoyment and variety, because obviously the expansiones are way more polished in quality). You just have a ton of content, but like, really, a ton! It's interesting, because while the expansions are way more narrative-focused (which makes sense, given the stakes), ARR gives you more freedom, it's like it encourages the player to experience different typed of content! I myself didn't do too much side-quests, but there are some that are hilarious. Now, relavant content: I love Coils of Bahamut, it's probably my favorite narrative from ARR. Also, I find sad how some people just ditch Coils and say "x is better" and while it's definitely outdated (please Yoshi, re-balance Coils for it to be in the roulettes), it has a lot of charm to it. It's the first take on FFXIV raiding so, yes, the gameplay design is kind of odd sometimes, but the general experience is really meaningful! Play Coils if you haven't, it's woth it. Really. Also really enjoyed Crystal Tower, loved his first appearance and, this being mandatory just makes a lot of sense. Definitely, those were easier and happier times, now it's all suffering and despair.
This was long, I'm sorry!
To wrap things up: I'm grateful to ARR for being a part of my FFXIV journey. Yes, it gets harsh and tedious sometimes, but thinking back and just seeing how a good friend of mine is going through it and enjoying it, brings joy and memories. It's almost like sometimes I feel nostalgic about how I was also a regular adventurer once. Also, I might add, the "The Rising" event of this year was one of the most wholesome moments I've ever had in this game. There's a beauty in experiencing this type of ARR-inspired/ wholesome event content when you have gone through a lot of unforgettable experiences in the expansions, and just the game in general.
Here, it ends. I'll see you again in the snowy mountains of Coerthas. May our aching souls march Heavensward, as they've done for so long...