The main reason most MMORPGs in the last six years have failed is because they tried to innovate the genre. That's very different from simply designing a game where every feature and aspect of gameplay is worse than the main competitor. A game like GW2, for instance, isn't expected to deliver the same level of itemization design or dungeon variety as WoW because that game was meant to provide something different. It didn't really work out all that well, but that's a different matter entirely. FFXIV tries to do exactly what WoW does, it makes no attempt whatsoever to provide something new, but then tragically fails to improve on anything at all; rather they've regressed ten years in the MMORPG development timeline on many fronts, creating a game that feels more like the precursor to the game they've forced themselves to compete with by doing nothing different than that game.
FFXIV doesn't come across as trying to clone WoW to me. It's not based around factions or PVP, it's got an actual storyline, cutscenes, multi-classes, etc. The only way it is like WoW, is that it has quests for leveling, and instanced dungeons. To me it actually does improve on some things I hated about WoW. Things like multi-classes, much more enjoyable tradeskills, much better graphics, much more of an actual community, fun boss fights with unique looking gear (primals). And this is all at launch. Compare this to WoW at launch. I'm sorry you guys feel that every MMO that comes out now should be WoW +1 just because it is 2013, but not every company has Blizzard/Activisions billions to just throw around, and the ones that did like EA learned real fast with shit like SWToR. To me it feels like FFXI 2, rather than some WoW clone. And I like some of the 10 year old parts of MMO's to be honest. Some of the new shit kids now days like, is crap. Anyways I wouldn't have normally taken the time to reply, but you took the time to write up points you don't like, so I will respond.
It goes way beyond QoL issues. This isn't going to become a great game with a few light patches that paper over the cracks. It has a number of enormous flaws and problems, among which, to name a few, are:
Again mostly opinion here, as these are not game breaking flaws, at least not in the sense of hero engine, etc.
- No class specialization whatsoever, there simply aren't builds or serious customization choices
Not a bad thing necessarily. Talents just lead to cookie cutter builds anyways, so wtf is the point really. One could argue you can change your class at any time, and that is more customization than WoW will ever offer.
- Probably the smallest item pool in MMORPG history with only one piece of equipment per tier for each slot, except ilvl90
Yes and no. It is a small item pool I agree, but there are weapons for every class, with unique cool models, from each of the primals, and there is AF armor which looks cooler than any WoW armor tier ever, etc. And you have your AK armor, and a lot of actual differing art models, which is nice.
- One valid dungeon per tier, forcing players to run the same instance over and over and over and over
I do agree with you, there needs to be more high end dungeons. As far as leveling, there are tons of dungeon options. Thankfully they did add primal fights at 50, but yes we need more than AK, and I don't consider CM and Praetorium dungeons really, as there is no loot, etc. Hopefully they wake up and make some of their awesome leveling dungeons have level 50 hard modes.
- Utterly broken class(es) that the developers insist is fine and it's just every single player of that class being bad at the game
The only real "broken" class, is Warriors. The rest are fine. And they aren't even really "broken", just not balanced with Paladins. If it was the only tank, no one would even bitch. Yes Yoshi made a stupid statement about Warriors, but really all I got from it was that there is more potential for the class, players just need to figure out to use it better. Obviously he is wrong, but look at how bad Blizz's class balancing is every fucking expansion, it is a joke with OP classes that get nerfed into the ground kneejerk style, etc. And they say nothing is wrong with such and such class when it is obviously broken. Or look at SOE on the Fiery Avenger. MMO Devs lie, and are oblivious, it's not a first with SE.
- Unspeakably bad server infrastructure and lack of regional servers for most parts of the world
Server infrastructure is excellent. Sorry but what other games can handle fucking 500 people in a zone and not lag a bit. Or 200+ people on screen and still have a playable FPS? WoW sure cant, with shittier graphics even. Yes they had server problems at launch, but not anymore. Yes the fate culling issue is bullshit, but it isn't hard to work around it for now. But to say it's "unspeakably bad" is just full on talking shit. It is pretty damn solid and I don't think has crashed once since the first Odin fight on Gilgamesh.
- Unbearable 2.5 second global cooldown, extremely sluggish combat, unresponsive controls
Again opinion. 2.5 second GCD is loved by a lot, including me. Fuck that ADD WoW shit. I'm tired of it. I like the slower paced combat. It isn't sluggish one bit though, and the controls are very responsive. Yes it may not be responsive if you are smashing it when its on GCD, but when I hit my buttons when they are available, it does what I press. If you want sluggish unresponsive, go play FFXI lol.
- Poor general combat system with severe over-emphasis on step-out-of-the-AoE as almost the only fight dynamic
Again, opinion. Combat is great to a lot of people. Step out of the AoE has been the same deal since WoW. Tank adds, step out of fire, etc. That's not going to change any time soon until you get actual dodging combat like EQN or Tera. Hell, Titan has more unique mechanics than pretty much every WoW fight I can think of.
- Fundamentally broken, unsustainable economic model
Dailies coming in 2.1, and again they are addressing this, 6 weeks after launch. I don't think that 6 weeks of an issue, and then addressing it, is going to destroy the entire game, in fact more of the opposite, they are adjusting to unforseen flaws that came about.
- Pitifully primitive and one-dimensional class mechanics, skills and mechanics have less depth than vanilla WoW's
Again opinion. I would much rather have less abilities that do what they are supposed to, than 30 hotkeys with stupid shit like this one dispells frenzy, this one dispells this, this one dispells that, etc. It's your traditional class mechanics. White mages Cure, Raise, and Esuna. Blackmages Fire, Ice, and Lightning. Dragoons Jump, etc. Maybe my experience with FF series just conditioned me to be okay with this, but it's not really different than the norm with them.
- Completely broken leveling system where the only viable source of exp with alts is mindless FATE leeching
I agree and disagree. The leveling system the first time is absolutely the best in the industry. Awesome storyline, no stupid excessive voiceovers etc, great dramatic fight moments, etc. Good range of dungeons, duty finder, etc. The only place I felt it lacked was that there were a few times you run out of story progression between 45-50 and have to do a few fates. Where I agree though is the alt thing. Fates are the only worthwhile way to level alts right now. Hopefully they give us other options by either increasing dungeon xp to make it a viable alternative, or allow classes to repeat non-storyline quests or whatever, but they do need other options for this.
- Anyone with any clue can tell that this game's PvP will be hysterically awful
And no one really cares. I don't think anyone is picking up this game for PvP and if they are they are an idiot. This game was not designed for PvP, and the arena deal is going to be just a bone for those people, and at least they have the balls to go for a full on PvP skillset, where other MMO's wont.
- Retarded party size vs. raid format which exacerbates the queue time issue for DPS and guarantees problems with tank demand in raids
Another thing I agree on. They should have went with a higher group size, but it's not game breaking, it just makes for longer queues. WoW has this same issue, hell every MMO has this issue. DPS will always have queues and there will always be a shortage of healers/tanks.
They didn't get dick right and it's not a great MMO unless your standards are very low. They made rookie mistakes, they've recreated problems that were fixed years ago, they've worsened issues that already existed in the genre, and they've created a game so primitive and shallow that there basically isn't a platform for any kind of theorycrafting or discussion. Look at this forum, or anywhere else. There's nothing to talk about regarding the actual game because it's less complex than DAoC. They've taken all the things WoW offers and imitated them except worse, offering nowhere near the diversity of content or classes, the intricacy of itemization, the fluidity of gameplay or the depth of combat and skill mechanics that people have enjoyed for nearly a decade in the game that they're inevitably being compared to because they chose not to do anything beyond that.
I do understand what you are saying, but disagree that they are rookie mistakes. I think they purposefully built the game this way and I think it is built in a good way. They weren't trying to take WoW and make it better. They were making their own game and taking some WoW influence. I personally don't care about theorycrafting and shit. I enjoy the more arcadeish fights like Titan, etc. I do agree that there needs to be more in this game, and if they were to stop content right now, or not provide any for 6 months I would agree that this game won't last. But what they have is truly a solid foundation for a launch. Most people that are quitting, legitimately are only quitting because they ran out of things to do, not because they don't enjoy it. Trust me I have played every MMO since WoW, and this is the FIRST MMO since WoW that I can truly say at max level is "damn the only thing that pisses me off about this game is there isn't more content." Most MMO's when I hit max level, I say man, this is underwhelming, or this sucks, or I am burnt out on this game, etc.
Maybe it's because I don't compare this game to WoW, but to games like SWToR, GW2, and other post-WoW games. Maybe I just have low expectations of the MMO genre, but I am truly enjoying FFXIV, even after doing all the content. Yes I am running out of things to do, and wish there was more, but I am going to give them time, because it is a fun game, and wait to see if they can provide more content like every MMO does. If they do, I can see myself playing this for a long time. If they don't, I'm sure I will get bored and quit.
