Alrighty, I'll start I suppose.
I found the story here to close things out a bit on the underwhelming side. First off, the cutscenes are all pretty well done. That said, I wish it was capped off by a lead in trailer for Heavensward. Ah well. =)
Okay, lets get into detail. The reason I found this to be underwhelming was the fact this patch played out exactly how it was set up with no swerves to be seen anywhere.
They have set up Teleji's "revolution" for many patches now. They set up Ilbard's turn for awhile now. In fact, the entirely of the Crystal Braves turn was set up far in advance if you were paying attention. Teleji goes to bat for the Domains and shows his support for the Braves and pledges supplies. It was absolutely no surprise to me that he was their major financial backing from the start and the Braves themselves were in his pocket the whole time.
They also set up Nanamo's death in advance to the point where I'm actually shocked they went through with it in such a blunt and obvious way. Don't get me wrong, it was very sad. =( However, it happened in such a direct, obvious way that it was just kind of there. Nah, don't suspect this handmaiden who showed up out of nowhere in these scenes. No, don't suspect this wine glass that's front and center for the patch image. Nah, you're not being summoned to her quarters to be the fall guy. Not at all.
That said, I really felt for Nanamo and Raubahn. =( Raubahn especially. His scenes were powerful, powerful stuff. Especially in Japanese.
Alphinaud having everything blow up in his face was absolutely beautiful though. I hate this smug prick and he kind of had this coming. Teleji played him like a fiddle. Will it lead to actual character growth? I doubt it. This game isn't really keen on that thing. Instead just throwing events at you. Tataru has more growth that Alphinaud.
Going to go a bit random here....
1) Lady Iceheart - Dispels a shield and peaces out. I expected more.
2) Lolorito - Lolorito being the "mastermind" is out of left field and pretty silly.
3) The Scions - The Scions have some very nice scenes. A glimpse of Ada's face? Yes please. But I can't help but think they have pulled out of tougher shit and their fights were kind of lame.
4) Minfilia - Useless as always. However, she is especially WTF. Out of nowhere, she hears the Mother Crystal?! Then goes off to help leaving your character behind? Why? She has no powers. She has nothing going for her. This felt stupid to me.
5) Midgardsormr - Only two brief scenes. Nothing to say. In Japanese, he mentioned Hydaelyn but the subs do not mention her. I wonder what they changed this time.
6) Raubahn's Son - I got so excited until he said "adopted son" of Raubahn. OMG if he was Nanamo and Raubahn's child...
7) Kan-E and Merylwyb - Let me just say this. Fuck these two. Fuck them.
In fact, let me expand on this. Yoshi P, the writers and whoever else should be taken to task to how completely useless almost all of their female leaders have been. All three city states and run by nicely designed, strong looking women. Each of them are shown to be completely inept, clueless and morally pathetic. This patch was it for me. Kan E and Merylwyb are in the middle of an obvious coup, their Alliance member is in trouble and they do nothing. They straight up leave in the middle of Nanamo's death (and this woman should have been suspicious of EVERYBODY), Raubahn's rage and the false arrest of your player character. Are you fucking kidding me?
They have been portrayed so poorly, it insulting. They can not protect their people. They can not manage their people. They can't even bare to stand next to their allies when shit goes down IN THEIR FACE. They are so self centered, spiteful and just...pathetic. While we are at it, we can probably toss in Minfilia into that pot as well. She is a "leader" who does not lead. At best she is a damsel in distress. At worst this is a waste of space. Oh wait, big boobs! Nevermind.
I'm pretty fucking disappointed in these characters and their writing. It's downright stupid.
Finally, there is no real resolution going into Heavensward. You're on the run, you're heading into a warzone, you have no idea what is happening to the City States (who is to say the Braves didn't assault both Gridania and Limsa as well? Not to mention Mor Dhona), and the Ascians are just running around willy nilly like the Saturday Morning cartoon characters they are. Lets not forget that they can pretty much kill us (Scions and the PC) at any point but nah. =P
Overall, I'm happy with the cutscene quality, and the time some of our favorite characters got to have to shine, but I was underwhelmed. This was their big send off into the expansion and...there real surprise was that there was no real surprise. Everything (sans Lololololorito) went off exactly as they set it up. Which was a little disappointing to me. Raubahn was the superstar, the bit Scions played their part, but it all just felt meh with no real close.
In the end, you may be the Warrior of Light, but in the end, no matter your deeds (of which their are many) no one really gives a fuck.
P.S. Yugiri is so gorgeous. =DDD
P.P.S. The Patch Notes spoil the fuck out of the story if you paid attention to the achievement listing. =O
