There’s lots of strain on Dawntrail, the most recent enlargement for Sq. Enix’s critically acclaimed MMO Last Fantasy XIV. As the primary enlargement after the sport completed off a decades-long story with world-ending stakes in Endwalker, Dawntrail’s journey within the tropical locale of Tural is a brand new begin and in addition a much-needed summer season trip for the Warrior of Gentle. However can it’s a calming enlargement whereas additionally establishing the stakes for the MMO’s subsequent decade? Steam opinions appear blended on how effectively Dawntrail pulls all of it off.
Many are praising Dawntrail, with some even calling it the most effective enlargement the sport has ever acquired (which is extremely excessive reward contemplating how good Shadowbringers was). Usually, constructive opinions spotlight the brand new world of Tural and its various forged of characters, together with everybody’s favourite Hrothgar, Wuk Lamat. It’s no shock {that a} lower-stakes journey for the Warrior of Gentle and their greatest buddies via a tropical wonderland is hitting completely for lots of long-time gamers. However it isn’t simply the stress-free vibes and delightful setting getting excessive reward, Dawntrail additionally introduced with it quality-of-life options like a graphical replace which has made the sport shine like new. The general takeaway from constructive Steam opinions is that Dawntrail is a breath of contemporary air for the growing older MMO in virtually each method.
Stunning no person, nonetheless, the fanbase is hardly unanimous on the matter. Dawntrail haters have two main issues. The primary is Wuk Lamat. Sure, a few of these folks simply hate Wuk Lamat! I can not perceive it however lots of unfavorable opinions are criticizing the character many different gamers adore. Particularly, the critique is that Wuk Lamat is so central to the overarching Dawntrail story that she successfully turns into the principle character over the Warrior of Gentle. Second, some really feel that the stress-free vibes of the enlargement, reasonably than making it work as a vacation-like journey, diminish it as an alternative, making it too low-stakes with a boring nothing-burger of a plot. Some opinions go as far as to say that Dawntrail is as dangerous (if not worse) than Stormblood, the second and most-derided enlargement to Last Fantasy 14.
A number of the criticism of Dawntrail might be a results of how totally different its objectives are from these of previous expansions. From the discharge of A Realm Reborn till the conclusion of Endwalker, every enlargement raised the stakes of the story and led to a climactic finale to a decades-long story. Dawntrail couldn’t have raised the stakes from Endwalker, and it’s meant as a de-escalation. Inherently which may be much less thrilling, however it’s intentional. To inform a brand new thrilling story you need to begin from sq. one.
On the finish of the day, Steam opinions have given me a way of what to anticipate in Dawntrail once I lastly get round to it. Most significantly, I now know that I’ll encounter sentient corn in some unspecified time in the future, so I’ve extra motivation than ever to get to Tural. Try what else gamers are saying.
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