My Life As A Gamer: On Completing "FF14: Endwalker"' Main Story

There are people out there that have cut videos about the main narrative for the Endwalker expansion, gushing about how emotional it was and how touching it was and all that. As I alluded to yesterday, I did not have this reaction because I'd seen this exact narrative several times before; one does not become a life-long enjoyer of Super Robots without seeing the narrative beats play out several times over.

This is not to say that it is badly done. It is not, especially for a MMORPG; the writing team again punched well above its weight and fulfilled very large expectations, but I nontheless failed to be roped in because once I saw what this narrative conflict was about--Despair/Hope with Emotion-driven superpowers--I knew exactly what the enemy, and the NPC allies, would do well before they did it.

Again, without actually telling you what actually went down, this scene played out at the very conclusion:

I was sitting there, as I called back my NPC allies from apparent annihiliation using The Power of Friendship (and this Ancient Magic I'd been hoarding) for the finale wherein I go punch the Totally Not The Anti-Spiral in the face.

And then punch my Best Frenemy in the face until he finally drops, apparently dead for the final time (but alas, no confirmation, therefore Not Officially Dead Yet).

Gurren Lagann, Gaogaigar, and may other Super Robot series have hit these same beats and often involved sheer Hot-Blooded Determinator Power in overcoming Literal God-Like Despair by punching/drilling/hammering/Spine Sharking/Breast Firing/etc. the enemy away. Hugging it out with the defeated enemy is optional, but recommended to nail the point home.

That said, it was satisfying to see that the writing team--unlike their counterparts pretending to write for World of Warcraft--actually write such that your past deeds are remembered and acknowledged as justification to intervene in your favor when the literal End of All Things is about to go down. Oh, and it is precious to see that several of your NPC allies actually all but confess their love for you; no wonder so many players engage in parasocial affairs with one or more of them.

Would I recommend playing the game for this story alone? No. It is a well-executed one? Yes, it is, and so long as you're not overfamiliar with the narrative archetype you'll get your money's worth. My disatisfaction is entirely on me, and should not be taken as a reflection of the ludonarrative experience in general. If you're just in it for the story, find a video recap; certain of my friends, I'll arrange to log in and replay the cutscenes if enough of you request it.

Endwalker: 8/10

So, what now? Clean up loose ends, and then throttle down so I can refocus on to other affairs.