I agree with the general assumptions that Heavensward is better than the base A Realm Reborn experience. However, I also think that a lot of people are overselling it a bit.
I noticed playing through Heavenward's MSQ (Main Story Quest) that a lot of the things that bugged me in ARR, such as pointless "talk to X" quests, pointless "humorous" sidetracks and the fact that narrative is rather disjointed with so many players at play (The new characters in Ishgard, the empire, the Ascians). This can definitely result in pacing problems with the progression of the MSQ.
With all that being said, the things I enjoyed about ARR, such as the great characters, music, locations and dungeons (The dungeons in this so much more interesting mechanically) is still here if not better! I also worried about if the dreary mountainside of Ishgard is the only place this story will take place in and was surprised and delighted by the wealth of biomes.
And the story...the story is pretty good. I definitely don't think it's "the best FF story in the last decade" or whatever some people are saying on the internet but when it picks up, it really picks up and makes you want to continue blasting through the MSQ.
I'm curious where the story goes in the 3.0 patches next!
EDIT: Above is what I wrote after finishing the 3.0 patch and now that I've completed the Heavensward storyline, I think I saw why people liked this story so much. The patch storyline really expands on the fallout of the ending of the main Heavensward MSQ and takes the story to some interesting places with strong emotional highs and a satisfying payoff.
I noticed playing through Heavenward's MSQ (Main Story Quest) that a lot of the things that bugged me in ARR, such as pointless "talk to X" quests, pointless "humorous" sidetracks and the fact that narrative is rather disjointed with so many players at play (The new characters in Ishgard, the empire, the Ascians). This can definitely result in pacing problems with the progression of the MSQ.
With all that being said, the things I enjoyed about ARR, such as the great characters, music, locations and dungeons (The dungeons in this so much more interesting mechanically) is still here if not better! I also worried about if the dreary mountainside of Ishgard is the only place this story will take place in and was surprised and delighted by the wealth of biomes.
And the story...the story is pretty good. I definitely don't think it's "the best FF story in the last decade" or whatever some people are saying on the internet but when it picks up, it really picks up and makes you want to continue blasting through the MSQ.
I'm curious where the story goes in the 3.0 patches next!
EDIT: Above is what I wrote after finishing the 3.0 patch and now that I've completed the Heavensward storyline, I think I saw why people liked this story so much. The patch storyline really expands on the fallout of the ending of the main Heavensward MSQ and takes the story to some interesting places with strong emotional highs and a satisfying payoff.