This post will contain spoilers for the Dawntrail MSQ.
I am about to finish my Dawntrail MSQ experience, and am reflecting upon the story told. There will be paraphrasing, so do correct me if I am absolutely incorrect in what I remember from the story.
An MMORPG needs to railroad the player character for plot reasons or mechanical ones, but in previous story experiences it all seemed relatively natural. There were always good reasons to do the things we needed to do, even if we didn't agree with them. We were also able to voice that disagreement, albeit in limited means.
FFXIV has never been a game about meaningful choices (we are mere actors in a grand play), yet somehow this is the first time playing where I feel an absolute disconnect with my character and the choices presented for her to take.
The time this disconnect hit me hardest was when Wuk Lamat asked me to refer to her as "lamaty'i", a term of endearment reserved for family. I had not particularly enjoyed much of my time glued to the third promise, so I opted to respond with the usually delightful "..." option expecting at least a somewhat snide comment. Instead, one of the Scions, a character I care for and trust, informs Wuk my character is "at a loss for words" for being asked this.
Once I reached the point where the capital is invaded by the futuristic army, I thought to myself: how did my character willingly get here? She caused a huge conflict on the other side of the world, just because G'raha told her to 'go have an adventure'. She was told not to mingle in local politics, but immediately gets rushed by a future ruler who claims her as a champion. Before that ruler gets to ascend the throne, we are even told by Gulool Ja Ja that had the claimaints been deemed unworthy, he would not forego his position.
Had my character opted not to support Wuk Lamat in her claim for the throne, what would have changed?
The story beat that hurts me most though, is that poor Erenville would still have been able to travel home. Maybe he would have even spoken to his mother.
The final scenes we got seem to just exist for cheap tears.
Continue reading...
I am about to finish my Dawntrail MSQ experience, and am reflecting upon the story told. There will be paraphrasing, so do correct me if I am absolutely incorrect in what I remember from the story.
An MMORPG needs to railroad the player character for plot reasons or mechanical ones, but in previous story experiences it all seemed relatively natural. There were always good reasons to do the things we needed to do, even if we didn't agree with them. We were also able to voice that disagreement, albeit in limited means.
FFXIV has never been a game about meaningful choices (we are mere actors in a grand play), yet somehow this is the first time playing where I feel an absolute disconnect with my character and the choices presented for her to take.
The time this disconnect hit me hardest was when Wuk Lamat asked me to refer to her as "lamaty'i", a term of endearment reserved for family. I had not particularly enjoyed much of my time glued to the third promise, so I opted to respond with the usually delightful "..." option expecting at least a somewhat snide comment. Instead, one of the Scions, a character I care for and trust, informs Wuk my character is "at a loss for words" for being asked this.
Once I reached the point where the capital is invaded by the futuristic army, I thought to myself: how did my character willingly get here? She caused a huge conflict on the other side of the world, just because G'raha told her to 'go have an adventure'. She was told not to mingle in local politics, but immediately gets rushed by a future ruler who claims her as a champion. Before that ruler gets to ascend the throne, we are even told by Gulool Ja Ja that had the claimaints been deemed unworthy, he would not forego his position.
Had my character opted not to support Wuk Lamat in her claim for the throne, what would have changed?
- The four claimants would have done their trials, and then Gulool Ja Ja would probably have decided none of them were fit to rule.
- Most of the people we helped in the trials all were more than able to fix their own problems, they didn't need us present to fix their fields, find them workers, or cook their local dish. Even if they needed actual help, I am certain Koana could have helped.
- There would have been harsh consequences for Bakool Ja Ja's antics.
- Zoraal Ja would have thrown a tantrum, but he wouldn't have had a cheat death device, nor would Yyasulani have been destroyed.
The story beat that hurts me most though, is that poor Erenville would still have been able to travel home. Maybe he would have even spoken to his mother.
The final scenes we got seem to just exist for cheap tears.
Continue reading...