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#One yr later, Closing Fantasy XIV nonetheless has me in its clutches

One yr later, Closing Fantasy XIV nonetheless has me in its clutches

Tales of loss, and hearth, and religion

The critically acclaimed MMORPG Closing Fantasy XIV. Perhaps you’ve heard of it? It’s an enormous endeavor, stretching throughout years and expansions, containing large comeback tales and legions of followers.

It was round this time final yr that I first wrote about Closing Fantasy XIV. Pals had tried to place me on to it for ages, and I even made a personality as soon as earlier than promptly quitting out after seeing all muddle on-screen. However listening to in regards to the sheer fervor, as servers buckled beneath the burden of recent and previous customers striving to play Endwalker, lastly received me to present it an trustworthy strive.

I performed some Closing Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. After which I journeyed to Ishgard, and Heavensward. Then onto the deep-seated conflicts of Stormblood, the sorrow of Shadowbringers, and eventually, the sting of all issues in Endwalker. I performed some XIV, after which performed rather a lot, lot extra of Closing Fantasy XIV.

Screenshot through Destructoid

So, relatively than what it’s wish to play Closing Fantasy XIV on the top of its reputation, I’m again with a one-year later. Right here’s what it’s like to totally be within the Closing Fantasy XIV frenzy, and why I believe it’s best to give it a shot too.

Two-toned echoes tumbling by time

Beginning out in A Realm Reborn, I wasn’t certain what to anticipate, as I’m not an MMO particular person. I’ve given a number of some probabilities right here and there, however they weren’t my factor; one thing about standing round, hitting singular talents from an enormous lexicon of expertise laid out earlier than me, as shuffled to-and-fro didn’t actually do it for me.

The humorous half is that Closing Fantasy XIV doesn’t actually skew removed from that. Most of my fights are hitting my expertise in rotation, stacking on harm and dodging the puddles of doom as they pop up. What impressed me over my yr of XIV was the way it felt like I received to the great things so quick.

Screenshot by Destructoid

It wasn’t lengthy till my Lancer was providing me cool alternatives to do extra harm, by sustaining a set combo and positioning nicely. Quickly I used to be swapping between combos, using one for its harm increase and results whereas one other output extra harm. As soon as I hit Dragoon, I used to be given a bunch of Jumps to work into my rotation, discovering little cracks within the rotation the place I might add extra harm.

Every little thing felt prefer it was taught to me, over time. Hardly ever did I really feel the necessity to seek for what a mechanic did, or really feel misplaced when operating content material.

Storm of blood

It helps that Closing Fantasy XIV‘s neighborhood is, for the big half, probably the most optimistic communities I’ve seen in a sport, ever. That’s to not say I haven’t seen some grief or trolling. However it’s been an absolute outlier to in any other case overwhelming positivity; most gamers are inclined to forgive errors, educate newcomers, wait patiently for cutscene-watchers, and share in a communal pleasure relatively than drag one another down in frustration. It’s genuinely energizing to wipe in an encounter and see everybody chortle and joke about what occurred, relatively than leap for every others’ throats.

Screenshot by Destructoid

The neighborhood and sport isn’t simply fight and quest content material, both. Whereas there’s a bevvy of high-end battling available, when you actually need to attempt for glory, there’s additionally a ton of Closing Fantasy XIV to be seen that encompasses different skills. The Island Sanctuary, added final yr, is a totally combat-free zone the place gamers can farm, craft, and create their very own island, with some Animal Crossing vibes.

Disciples of the Land and Hand can get deep into mining and crafting, getting each tailor-made story content material and revenue from it. Fishing is a newer enterprise for me, and I’ve adored it. Discovering new fishing holes lets me retread previous locales for brand new spots, and the ocean fishing adventures (nautical raids, I wish to name them) are actually enjoyable to do. And when all that work will get tedious, the Golden Saucer awaits.

That’s not even counting all of the player-created ventures, both. I’ve attended in-game conventions and meet-ups. I’ve waited in line for a nightclub’s grand opening, the place a DJ streamed their set over Twitch and gamers danced in-game. In some way, inexplicably, I discovered a combat membership. It dominated.

Coronary heart of ember, autumntide

That’s to not say the primary story isn’t good, both. In actual fact, put all collectively, Closing Fantasy XIV as a complete is likely to be one in all my favourite tales in video games. A Realm Reborn begins sluggish, however lays out all the inspiration and world-building wanted, and has some actually good tales hidden away in sidequests and actions.

Then, after all, Heavensward arrives and blows the doorways down. Stormblood looks like a Techniques-era story, largely foregoing the same old evildoers in favor of a grounded and shifting story about generations of warfare and battle. Then Shadowbringers arrives, turning the wheel the other way and crafting a fully unimaginable marketing campaign, simply my favourite of all of them, earlier than Endwalker ties every part collectively.

Screenshot by Destructoid

I performed by all of them over the course of 2022, in a marathon dash that I hope would make Closing Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi proud. Amid all of that, I ran raids and tackled further story content material, bouncing between high-end content material and neat aspect adventures that expanded the world. I Fantasia’d my Warrior of Mild into a brand new character, making them really feel like my very own JRPG protagonist that I’ve led by every enlargement. (Don’t fear, my unique hastily-made Geralt knock-off continues to be round as my trusty retainer.) Triple Triad has dominated my time, and I’m simply now beginning to get into among the Excessive content material.

Forge forward

Every single day, it’s felt like I’ve uncovered some new piece of content material. I’m unsure simply how massive Closing Fantasy XIV is, however I do know I’ve but to even glimpse the boundaries. It’s made Sq. Enix’s strategy to sustaining previous content material a pleasure; whereas some ongoing video games would possibly vault or silo away sure content material, the XIV workforce has been actively updating previous work and making the on-ramp clean, even in the latest patch.

I can’t make any assure that one other yr from now, I’ll nonetheless be taking part in Closing Fantasy XIV. Suits and spurts come and go, and I’ve performed and finally dropped sufficient endless endlessly video games to know that the honeymoon part will fade. Closing Fantasy XIV does really feel constructed to accommodate dipping out and in, although. Updates are pretty common however the common story content material is simple sufficient to play by, whereas tougher content material drips in for the extra hardcore base.

Screenshot by Destructoid

Closing Fantasy XIV is an MMO that lastly gained me over on the idea, mixing in a incredible RPG story within the course of stuffed with unimaginable story beats and characters. However what’s saved me hooked up to Closing Fantasy XIV isn’t simply the glut of content material or a passion for the collection, however the way it’s fostered a world that doesn’t really feel fairly so hostile. Positive, I might ram my head towards the wall on some tough fights. But when the day’s been lengthy and I simply need to go ocean raiding or vibe on the Golden Saucer with some friends, these actions are actively rewarding.

So, one yr later, I’ve performed totally an excessive amount of Closing Fantasy XIV. I’ll most likely preserve doing so, too. I’ve walked to the tip in Closing Fantasy XIV, and I nonetheless really feel like I’ve solely scratched the floor. However now I can not less than confidently say: it’s a journey value taking.

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