While a tear dries on my cheek I stare at my screen. What was this? All of this? I don't understand. This was phenomenal, this was amazing.
I mean not to exaggerate yet I find no other words fitting. So many posts were made on this subreddit about the same topic so forgive me for adding one more to the pile.
I first played Final Fantasy XIV in 2015, refunded in 20 minutes on Steam. 2 years later I returned and played it for a bit. I even got a friend to join but our adventures were short-lived. Not until March this year I properly started the game.
Let me tell you, this journey, this amazing, horrifying, beautiful journey means so much to me. The gorgeous music, the spot-on voice-acting, the characters. It was all so good.
I come from WoW. The game that shaped my childhood, the game that made me want to learn English in the first place. In March I tried to return to it but I felt empty inside. The memories of Burning Crusade, of Wrath of the Lich King were no more than that - memories, memories of a time old gone. So I booted up Final Fantasy XIV, paid for a subscription and got into it.
It brings a smile to my face just to think about that moment not even a year ago. I was worried I won't like it, I was worried it won't be for me, I was worried MMOs are not for me anymore. How wrong I was to worry. I blitzed through A Realm Reborn, the patch quests took me at most 2 days! I loved it. The finale brought me to tears, not because of what happened as much as the sheer quality of it. I felt like the story is so much more than WoW ever could. I was the main hero yet the story wasn't simple, I didn't get a quest to murder Ul'dah. I ran, we ran.
Alphinaud became my favourite character quickly. What a big beautiful baby he was and now he can even swim! I'm joking of course, he still sucks at swimming. What I mean to get at is just how good the story is and not just the overall story but the individual stories of the supporting cast.
After A Realm Reborn Heavensward happened and I was skeptical. I never much liked the traditional 'dragon' fantasy but it was great! I didn't go through as quickly but I enjoyed my time. "A smile better suits a hero." Is forever ingrained in my heart. That moment took me by surprise.
Stormblood gets less praise from me. I did not enjoy it as much and with Shadowbringers released and me still squabbling with turtle-people I felt like I need to rush. There were great moments but it is the odd one from the group. Not bad, not mediocre, just good.
And that gets me to Shadowbringers and I have no words. How am I to put into words all I wish to say? I thought it would follow the formulae and do some new exciting things but I did not expect this. The story was brought to new heights, not once I felt bored. Even thought I switched from Summoner to Black Mage for the expansion, which caused me some trouble in dungeons, I only once fell behind XP-wise.
Even before the ending I knew Shadowbringers is most likely the best expansion for an MMO and the best story ever in an MMO. I was reading the quest text out loud when I got to a one very particular choice. So I start reading.
Fate can be cruel, but a smile better suits a hero.
Tears. I couldn't hold it, it came out of nowhere.
But then came the ending. I wasn't spoiled, I didn't know anything. I still feel bad for Emet-selch. While the Ascians are against us, it is just as he said.
The victor shall write this tale, and the vanquished becomes its villain.
I don't like that I won. I don't like that he's dead. I wish we could have come to an understanding. I sympathized with the bad guy. What more was he than a poor torn soul trying to bring back his people?
But then, then came that choice.
'Tis good to see you awake, G'raha Tia.
Both he and I couldn't hold back the tears. What a beautiful moment. I love the amount of agency the game gives you. My character is me.
Ardbert was another amazing character but that would go on for too long.
To speak honestly, I must admit that a year ago I felt lost. World of Warcraft and the community there was an anchor that held my sanity together. It ended some time ago and I thought little of it, I thought little of losing just a videogame but sometimes even the silliest of things can be very very important. And so a year ago, when I needed that anchor, when I needed help, I didn't have anything or anyone. Many times I have contemplated taking my own life, ending it, harming myself. All joy I felt was evaporated in an instant.
I do not mean to be overly emotional, nor do I mean to lie but Final Fantasy XIV with all of its flaws helped me so much and so did the amazing community. I died so many times doing Amaurot, I apologized so many times, expecting to be kicked but just as always the players offered help, advice and only kind words.
So all I have to say is.... 'tis good to be awake.
submitted by /u/MichaelETenner
[link] [comments]
Continue reading...
I mean not to exaggerate yet I find no other words fitting. So many posts were made on this subreddit about the same topic so forgive me for adding one more to the pile.
I first played Final Fantasy XIV in 2015, refunded in 20 minutes on Steam. 2 years later I returned and played it for a bit. I even got a friend to join but our adventures were short-lived. Not until March this year I properly started the game.
Let me tell you, this journey, this amazing, horrifying, beautiful journey means so much to me. The gorgeous music, the spot-on voice-acting, the characters. It was all so good.
I come from WoW. The game that shaped my childhood, the game that made me want to learn English in the first place. In March I tried to return to it but I felt empty inside. The memories of Burning Crusade, of Wrath of the Lich King were no more than that - memories, memories of a time old gone. So I booted up Final Fantasy XIV, paid for a subscription and got into it.
It brings a smile to my face just to think about that moment not even a year ago. I was worried I won't like it, I was worried it won't be for me, I was worried MMOs are not for me anymore. How wrong I was to worry. I blitzed through A Realm Reborn, the patch quests took me at most 2 days! I loved it. The finale brought me to tears, not because of what happened as much as the sheer quality of it. I felt like the story is so much more than WoW ever could. I was the main hero yet the story wasn't simple, I didn't get a quest to murder Ul'dah. I ran, we ran.
Alphinaud became my favourite character quickly. What a big beautiful baby he was and now he can even swim! I'm joking of course, he still sucks at swimming. What I mean to get at is just how good the story is and not just the overall story but the individual stories of the supporting cast.
After A Realm Reborn Heavensward happened and I was skeptical. I never much liked the traditional 'dragon' fantasy but it was great! I didn't go through as quickly but I enjoyed my time. "A smile better suits a hero." Is forever ingrained in my heart. That moment took me by surprise.
Stormblood gets less praise from me. I did not enjoy it as much and with Shadowbringers released and me still squabbling with turtle-people I felt like I need to rush. There were great moments but it is the odd one from the group. Not bad, not mediocre, just good.
And that gets me to Shadowbringers and I have no words. How am I to put into words all I wish to say? I thought it would follow the formulae and do some new exciting things but I did not expect this. The story was brought to new heights, not once I felt bored. Even thought I switched from Summoner to Black Mage for the expansion, which caused me some trouble in dungeons, I only once fell behind XP-wise.
Even before the ending I knew Shadowbringers is most likely the best expansion for an MMO and the best story ever in an MMO. I was reading the quest text out loud when I got to a one very particular choice. So I start reading.
Fate can be cruel, but a smile better suits a hero.
Tears. I couldn't hold it, it came out of nowhere.
But then came the ending. I wasn't spoiled, I didn't know anything. I still feel bad for Emet-selch. While the Ascians are against us, it is just as he said.
The victor shall write this tale, and the vanquished becomes its villain.
I don't like that I won. I don't like that he's dead. I wish we could have come to an understanding. I sympathized with the bad guy. What more was he than a poor torn soul trying to bring back his people?
But then, then came that choice.
'Tis good to see you awake, G'raha Tia.
Both he and I couldn't hold back the tears. What a beautiful moment. I love the amount of agency the game gives you. My character is me.
Ardbert was another amazing character but that would go on for too long.
To speak honestly, I must admit that a year ago I felt lost. World of Warcraft and the community there was an anchor that held my sanity together. It ended some time ago and I thought little of it, I thought little of losing just a videogame but sometimes even the silliest of things can be very very important. And so a year ago, when I needed that anchor, when I needed help, I didn't have anything or anyone. Many times I have contemplated taking my own life, ending it, harming myself. All joy I felt was evaporated in an instant.
I do not mean to be overly emotional, nor do I mean to lie but Final Fantasy XIV with all of its flaws helped me so much and so did the amazing community. I died so many times doing Amaurot, I apologized so many times, expecting to be kicked but just as always the players offered help, advice and only kind words.
So all I have to say is.... 'tis good to be awake.
submitted by /u/MichaelETenner
[link] [comments]
Continue reading...