“Final Fantasy XIV” is still getting updated with new content, and players are of course always excited to hear about new DLC or an update to the main game. Since the “Heavensward” DLC for the game came out, some critics have been taking the opportunity to give their opinions on the game, describing all its positive and negative sides in detail. It turns out that the game does have a lot of strong points and it’s definitely worth playing, but the new content introduced in “Heavensward” might have its problems.
The first issue that was noticed by one reviewer was the fact that the game requires players to go through its older content quite a lot before they get a chance to play the new things added with “Heavensward”. Players will need to complete the entire portion of the main storyline from the start of the game until the content that was added in the 2.55 patch, which came out last April.
From then on, they can try the three new jobs of the Dark Knight, Astrologian and Machinist, or explore the rest of the new content that was added in “Heavensward”. But before getting there, they would have to experience the entire contents of the game up until then, including the various difficult dungeon sequences that require the coordination of several players in order to complete.
This type of development practice goes a bit against the common trend, as many developers tend to use their expansion packs to bring players back to their titles, allowing them to experience the new content immediately. That wasn’t the case here, and while some players have reacted positively to the new style, not everyone has been so happy.
It’s definitely been a successful move with regards to bringing players back to the game and introducing it to new ones at the same time, as the servers have been quite full ever since the new DLC came out. However, this could also create some issues for those who’re experiencing the game for the first time, according to critics.
The potential problem is that it could create a very wrong impression of the game in the minds of those new players who haven’t seen it before, and it can make “Final Fantasy XIV” look like a more grindy title than it really is. While it’s true that the game does have its fair share of completing mundane tasks and having to endure sequences that feel like they’re filling up time, it’s definitely not so focused on that at its core, and it would be pretty bad to give players such an impression.
Still, we haven’t seen any such comments from the game’s community so far, and most players seem to be enjoying the new content that was introduced with the DLC. Of course, it will take some time before opinions start settling and people figure out what exactly they like and dislike about the title. But for the time being, things are definitely looking up for Square Enix.
The expansion’s worlds have been commended for their finely crafted visual style and their ability to add to the game’s already immersive setting. There is a lot for players to see and do in this world, and we’re likely going to see even more interesting additions to it in future games, if the current releases are to be of any indication. Of course, Square Enix might also decide to change their direction for future installments, but we have no idea what they are planning for the future of the franchise.