I Performed By All Of Remaining Fantasy 14 In Six Months, Here is What I Discovered

In direction of the top of December 2023 I made a decision to start a brand new playthrough of Remaining Fantasy 14, gargantuan mammoth that it’s. This wasn’t my first rodeo – I’ve three different characters, all with various ranges of progress. However the furthest I’d ever made it was into the Shadowbringers patch quests.

I’m sorry to say that I principally rushed via the story again then, desperate to meet up with buddies and attain the present finish of the sport in time for Endwalker. Inevitably, I burned out, enjoying solely in brief, hyperfixated bursts of some weeks at a time and by no means truly reaching Sharlayan ultimately. Relaxation in obscurity, Guybrush Chandagnac.

A brand new character was wanted, so I rolled up a bunny boy to take me via your entire story in a single go, however with a measured tempo. I didn’t need to burn out once more. I additionally didn’t need to obsess over reaching the top, simply so I may play Dawntrail with everybody else. It could be higher if I simply took every part at my very own tempo, proper?

As soon as I reached the beforehand elusive Sharlayan, I went on to finish Endwalker in about 5 days. Certain, reaching that time took me six months of ‘going at my very own tempo’ however the end line was in sniffing distance and I need to see the place the story goes earlier than I get spoiled.

Anyhow, right here’s what I realized in six months of principally affected person, typically frantic Remaining Fantasy 14 goodness.

Tanking Isn’t Scary

I resolved to finish every situation with the identical job because the ‘canon’ character that FF14 makes use of in its promoting, Meteor. This meant three tanks – Warrior for A Realm Reborn, Darkish Knight for Shadowbringers, and Paladin for Endwalker. This additionally meant getting over my terrible tankxiety.

Main a pack, being chargeable for everybody’s security? A terrifying prospect six months in the past. Now I’m a part of the marginally bitter/barely grateful contingent of tanks who each love and hate that tanking is very easy. It could be nice if we had some barely extra complicated rotations or if dungeon bosses posed greater threats. However more often than not they don’t…

This isn’t going to resonate with everybody – typically nervousness is inconceivable to beat. However I’ll say that forcing myself into the place headfirst and getting expertise is the one factor that labored for me. Simply give it a go. The world wants extra tanks.

Screw Glamour, Fishing Is The True Endgame

The primary job I bought to degree 90 was Fisher. This was partly as a result of how ridiculous Grand Firm turn-ins and Ocean Fishing journeys are for incomes expertise, however principally as a result of how bloody satisfying fishing is.

I’ve no fewer than ten Massive Fish timers on the go at any level, a chocobo saddle bag crammed with completely different baits, and my participant residence has six massive aquarium tanks crammed with my choicest spoils. Fishing is a time-consuming, irritating interest in FF14 however the triumphs far outweigh the crushing defeats.

Feast of Famine, one of the vital infamous quests for its necessities of catching six extremely uncommon and sophisticated fish, took me a full fortnight to complete off. Ever since, I’ve worn the ensuing title (Of Dragons Deep) proudly.

Fishing is an arduous, distracting pastime, however it’s so definitely worth the funding. If you correctly get into it, it’s virtually like being inducted right into a secret society of like-minded people. Heading to the fishing holes for the rarest fish and assembly somebody going after the identical goal as you is a enjoyable time. You’ll wordlessly cross the time, each hoping in your luck to pay out, questioning if the opposite is having a greater time of it. It’s a novel, beautiful expertise.

Screw the Coral Manta although. That evil f**ok has been eluding me for months now.

Obligation Assist Is The Finest Potential Method To Play By Story Content material

Ostensibly a method to shorten DPS queues and assist newbies get via necessary content material at their very own tempo, I’ve come to understand Obligation Assist for utterly completely different causes. I’m most frequently tanking, so queues aren’t a difficulty for me.

No, Obligation Assist to me is what turns FF14 right into a full-fledged Remaining Fantasy. From Heavensward on, this characteristic lets you run via dungeons along with your steadfast allies.

Preventing via The Vault with poor Haurchefant and taking over the challenges of Bardam’s Mettle with Hien and Lyse feels much more applicable and thrilling than working via dungeons with strangers. It provides a lot to the ‘conventional RPG with a celebration’ feeling.

Certain, it’s the slower method to muddle via content material, however what it loses in pace, it greater than makes up for in dialogue and quirky character traits, reminiscent of Minfilia being very cautious and Alisaie hitting her Restrict Break button a couple of millisecond after the gauge fills up. I might suggest Obligation Assist to anybody, even those that missed out on it the primary time via.

A Realm Reborn Isn’t The Slog Folks Say It Is

This one ought to go with out saying, however the individuals who continually inform others that A Realm Reborn is simply one thing you need to ‘get via’ are doing it a disservice. Individuals who skip or skim via ARR are missing out on some truly incredible moments.

There’s some drudgework, however the identical may be stated for each single enlargement pack. Right here the drudgework is damaged up by moments just like the assault on the Waking Sands, the jail rescue, and your first conflict in opposition to Ifrit.

I look again on these hours fondly – ARR isn’t the hunch you may assume it’s. It’s an upward curve that will get higher with every story beat, establishing the great world that’s Eorzea and past.

All that stated, Minfilia is a bit boring and Moenbryda shouldn’t have died so shortly.

I’m Far Extra Ruthless Than I Thought

You may learn that and assume I’m about to speak about PvP. You’re proper, however most likely not in the best way you assume you’re proper.

The Market Board is the place the wheat is sorted from the chaff, and boy, I contemplate myself wheat. I’m a type of complete pricks who would undercut their very own grandmother if it might get them a faster sale. I purchased my home inside three months, one thing I contemplate fairly an achievement. I’ve eight retainers working for me and my empire of soiled gil. If I discover one thing promoting nicely, I’ll flood the market with my items, cornering that treasured coin for myself.

I inform myself that that is nice, as a result of I by no means purchase gadgets from my fellow petty undercutters. After all, I can solely afford to do that as a result of I’ll take a 3k hit on my most up-to-date choices to faster fill my coffers. Oh nicely. Capitalism is a tricksy beast.

I’m Having The Time Of My Life

I determine I’m preaching to the transformed right here, however I do typically really feel a bit astounded at simply how utterly Remaining Fantasy 14 has contaminated my mind. It’s so typically the primary sport I boot up after work, I’ve had desires about it, and I whine at my companion and buddies to ‘simply give it a go’ so I can at some point social gathering up with them and share this gratifying expertise with these I really like.

I’m extremely excited for Dawntrail and the brand new adventures it guarantees. I really feel that acquainted adrenaline pumping via my veins – the identical I felt after I bought my arms on Pokemon Crystal as a baby or after I saved up sufficient to purchase Remaining Fantasy Techniques for the PSP. One thing about FF14 is magical, and I can’t get sufficient of it.

Should you run into Mobula Greylag from Sagittarius in-game, say hello!