I must preface this post by saying that I feel this is the type of topic that will matter specifically to those that like to build back stories and continuing lore for their characters, which I know is not everyone. I just still would like to know how other players feel about it.
While I really enjoyed the relationship between the WoL and Ardbert, I just didn't like very much when his voice came out of my mouth during that (still amazing) cutscene right before Hades at the end of 5.0
Still, I just figured it probably was Ardbert's final act before merging with the WoL or whatever, but then 5.3 has this moment where there's what seemed to be Ardbert's literal voice inside the WoL head? Not a fan.
As much as I wanted to love the scene with Seto in the epilogue, I just couldn't. Again: Was that literal Ardbert speaking through me? Cause that feels much more like something an Ascian would do, Inhabiting someone else's body to keep living on and I don't think Ardbert would ever want that. If it wasn't Ardbert then, did they just make the WoL play pretends in such a solemn moment? Or was it just Seto's perception and an echo of Ardbert remaining within the crystal? Maybe it feeling open to interpretation was intentional.
I know everyone will have their own feelings but as for me, I simply reject the idea of sharing my character's soul with Ardbert or with anyone else. The 14th member of the congregation was their own person, Ardbert was their own person, and so is the WoL. These ideas of soul sharing and hearing voices inside your head just feel weird and unpleasant to me. A big theme in ShB is being your own self. Who you are in the now, not whatever "grandiose" previous self you were or were not in some previous life. That's why naming Ryne was so important. She would carry Minfilia's legacy on, but as her own self. That, along with what I explained above, is why this particular element in 5.3 just felt off to me.
Then again I know some people who really liked the Seto scene or Ardbert's voice coming from their character at the end of 5.0 and that's all good, as I believe one of XIV's strengths lies in how diverse and unique each WoL's story can be. It just didn't work for me. I truly hope there's no further Ardbert "apparitions" in the future. Then each person can interpret this aspect of ShB as they best see fit for their own characters.
Sorry for the long post, and hope this isn't taken the wrong way. I believe everyone's got a valuable take/opinion and I just really needed to put this out. Hope everyone's enjoying the patch and happy travels across Eorzea and Norvrandt! <3
-Viv
Continue reading...
While I really enjoyed the relationship between the WoL and Ardbert, I just didn't like very much when his voice came out of my mouth during that (still amazing) cutscene right before Hades at the end of 5.0
Still, I just figured it probably was Ardbert's final act before merging with the WoL or whatever, but then 5.3 has this moment where there's what seemed to be Ardbert's literal voice inside the WoL head? Not a fan.
As much as I wanted to love the scene with Seto in the epilogue, I just couldn't. Again: Was that literal Ardbert speaking through me? Cause that feels much more like something an Ascian would do, Inhabiting someone else's body to keep living on and I don't think Ardbert would ever want that. If it wasn't Ardbert then, did they just make the WoL play pretends in such a solemn moment? Or was it just Seto's perception and an echo of Ardbert remaining within the crystal? Maybe it feeling open to interpretation was intentional.
I know everyone will have their own feelings but as for me, I simply reject the idea of sharing my character's soul with Ardbert or with anyone else. The 14th member of the congregation was their own person, Ardbert was their own person, and so is the WoL. These ideas of soul sharing and hearing voices inside your head just feel weird and unpleasant to me. A big theme in ShB is being your own self. Who you are in the now, not whatever "grandiose" previous self you were or were not in some previous life. That's why naming Ryne was so important. She would carry Minfilia's legacy on, but as her own self. That, along with what I explained above, is why this particular element in 5.3 just felt off to me.
Then again I know some people who really liked the Seto scene or Ardbert's voice coming from their character at the end of 5.0 and that's all good, as I believe one of XIV's strengths lies in how diverse and unique each WoL's story can be. It just didn't work for me. I truly hope there's no further Ardbert "apparitions" in the future. Then each person can interpret this aspect of ShB as they best see fit for their own characters.
Sorry for the long post, and hope this isn't taken the wrong way. I believe everyone's got a valuable take/opinion and I just really needed to put this out. Hope everyone's enjoying the patch and happy travels across Eorzea and Norvrandt! <3
-Viv
Continue reading...