A retrospective and recap of Final Fantasy XIV Heavensward’s main story. How does the epic tale of Ishgard and the Dragonsong War hold up? Let’s find out!
This whole thing came about as I wanted to go back through the story in the run up to Dawntrail’s release. FFXIV’s entire 10-year long story arc surrounding Hydaelyn and Zodiark came to an end with the fourth expansion, Endwalker, and I wanted to take a look back and see what it did well, and where it could be improved. This retrospective series is based on a more casual perspective of someone playing the game as a (mostly) single-player JRPG, as opposed to going over every aspect of the MMO (which would take SIGNIFICANTLY longer!). So pack your thermal undies, sharpen your spears, and have some tissues at the ready as we head to the icy north and revisit Heavensward in 2024!
These videos will be released weekly until we’re all caught up with the current pre-Dawntrail storyline. Afterwards, I’m undecided. I’ve got a few plans – either more Final Fantasy retrospective content (and probably other games as well!), or I might look at making a series where I take on the obscenely time-consuming task of getting every achievement in Final Fantasy XIV – it takes several YEARS to finish!
Either way, I hope you enjoy these videos and consider subscribing to the channel so you don’t miss any future uploads!
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:06 Our Journey Continues
12:14 Gameplay Improvements and Pacing
23:52 A Smile Better Suits a Hero
26:44 Questionable Design Choices
34:31 Heavensward Endgame
39:22 The Dragonsong War
57:24 Leading up to Stormblood
01:12:48 Final Thoughts and Outro
#FinalFantasyXIV #FFXIV #Heavensward
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Hey everyone! I just want to say a big thank you for the wonderful response to the last video! You guys have been so nice!
I'm about halfway through editing the 4th video (Shadowbringers) at the moment, and should get everything done before Dawntrail comes out.
Videos are going up every Sunday at 7PM BST!
I loved the first one so please keep going! It's super awesome and very easy to follow too!
so do you think thancred goes on to get just a single contact over that eye to have it match the other or two mismatched contacts, one clear and one colored
Y'shtola's aethersense draining her life force is apparently a mis-translation from the Japanese text. It's basically just more likely to make her really tired. We haven't seen much evidence of that either but at least it explains why it's never been mentioned since.
It absolutely is, I’m just sad we haven’t gotten a story anywhere near the level of Heavensward since.
It's a big deal because fashion is end game.
The algorithm has brought me another great channel.
Great video man!!
It's just so good😺😹😼
I'm so glad I got recommended this video! Your videos are awesome, I hope your channel will continue to grow!!
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I recently replayed HW and I definitely agree that Azys Lla was rushed. It's just a series of "go to point B, then backtrack to point C, then back again" apart from the diversion with the imperials and Tiamat. It's a real shame, but otherwise very much enjoyed the expansion and the patches 🙂
Wow a video on the critical acclaimed expansion which you can play for free with no limit on play time 🎉🎉
In regards of Y'shtola's eyes, in the Japanese version and other languages, Matoya simply stated that the way Y'shtola sees would use more energy, a.k.a. get tired easily, imagine it as staring at computer monitors look enough but in a fantasy way. It never gets brought back up again because it isn't a big deal originally except in the English localised version.
Amazing lore recap channel, hope you get big, looking forward to the Stormblood recap
i miss Papalymo every day….
first vid of yours cheers bro LFG wanna see more
You my friend have earned yourself a subscription, between this and your ARR videos, this recap has been immensely wonderful to listen to. Looking forward to Stormblood as that is the expansion I am currently on. Well, technically I am in 4.1, but I have yet to continue the main story, because Omega and Ivalice are just too hype.
HVN is only surpassed the SHB in it's story. Yes, as you say the end of the base story feels a bit rushed, I'm not sure that having much more of Ysayle's story would have helped. We see her broken after the meeting the Hraesvelgr, and seemingly not much use to anyone, as Estinien notes. What happened between then and jumping off the dragon might not have been very interesting. A bit of introspection, chatting with the dragon.. best left to our imagination I think.
Anyway, you've got another sub. Very nice recap.
1:10:16
For entertainment purposes
I'm a Gridanian "native", but Ul'dah is where I ended up spending most of my time. I liked the Syndicate being the essential rulers of the state(also the Goldsmithing/Textile industry is amazing.) Dewlala is especially blunt – the context all but says "If Lolorito had ever wanted Nanamo to die, it would have been nothing for him to order it."
Ysayle's model being tilted as she walks up is too funny.
The sidelong glance your WoL gives the servant pouring wine is also hilarious.
These videos have been amazing, cant wait for the Stormblood video!
About the purpose of changes in character outfits, I recall a certain young lady named Alisae being salty about not getting a new outfit, saying she feels a lack of "personal development." hehe
Look, I know I'm not the only one who sees Ser Aymeric as "Daddy", but it's lovely to hear someone else vocalize it from time to time.
Amazing work! Been listening along whilst crafting away irl! Please give your sweet black kitty in your photo a loving pet from your new subscribers ❤
I think the scions changing their outfits throughout the games story isn't just mean't to be a character model update. I feel it also acts as a physical marker of their character growth and shared experiences with the mc in the ever changing and evolving world of Eorzea.
It will be interesting hearing a defense of stormblood. I played through it fairly recently and the whole time I was thinking that I wouldn’t even be a part of this conflict. Other than the negotiation scene with the emperor, I think it’s the low point of the story, with the most irredeemable, unrelatable, one dimensional, inhuman villain in the entire game.
my character still wears the fortemps shield on their back
Another great recap, this is turning out to be the perfect thing to bring me back up to speed with all the story so far. I noticed you didn't cover the raid stories in this video like you did in the last one. Is it because the ARR ones kind of feel more connected to the overall story?