Another one of those games I'm glad I got to it late since it's one of those the internet decided to hate in unison in accordance to what their braindead favorite youtuber said.

My only problem with it is, due to it being online only, I experienced multiple cases of rubber banding or being killed while the server caught up. Aside from that, is without a doubt the best Story presented in an ARPG. It made me care about the characters presented in it and the production values and voice acting were on another level from what you typically see in most ARPG's.

Lilith lived up to the hype and can't wait to experience Vessel of Hatred when it comes out.

"Oblivion fades. This tales end has been unwritten"

Dragon's Dogma II is what Evil Dead II is to The Evil Dead. A fully realized reinterpretation of the original while offering up a new refreshing expierence within. A sequel 12 years later that still defiantly holds onto its principles and core design philosophy in never giving the player a streamlined expierence and one that you have to earn by your own trials and tribulations of expedition through countless wandering, brawls and battles with towering giants, monsters and dragons. Not without its caveats (I would have loved more traditional dungeons then the spree of caves in the world) but I can't help but respect Itsuno and the team at Capcom still holding onto the dream they had with Dragons Dogma in 2012 to deliver the definitive version of some of the best Action RPG gameplay the genre has seen to match its colossal sized monster fights while expanding the vast mythos of DD's world. Its as old school adventuring as it gets here.

After two years of journeying through the vast, rich world of Eorzea, Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker brought me to a poignant, reflective halt as I watched the credits roll. This is more than simply a game review; it's an account of a transformative experience, a celebration of the art of storytelling, and an exploration of the core of what it is to be human. I've been thinking about this masterpiece for four days, and now I'm ready to express my opinions.

I'd like to briefly touch upon the gameplay. My gaming experience was completely changed by the addition of NPCs who followed and interacted with me on my adventures instead of just meeting up at certain locations. Checkpoint dialogues with characters like as G'raha, Alisaie, Estinien, and many more seemed more like genuine moments of connection and narrative richness than just marks of progress. With the addition of what could be the best combat music in the series, the dungeons and trials turned every battle into an unforgettable symphony of hardship and victory. The music crafted by Masayoshi Soken, particularly the songs On Blade's Edge, The Final Day, and Flow Together, has greatly raised the bar for my favorite OSTs alongside Shadowbringers.

The story of Endwalker, interlaced with the rich fabric of Ascian mythology, unveiled an epic full of existential crises and deep epiphanies. The plot took a surprising and profound turn with Zodiark's early demise, along with Hermes and Meteion's inclusion to the narrative. The story of Meteion, who's sisters traveled the universe and saw horrors far and wide, offered a tragic picture that forced reevaluation of how fleeting existence is in the face of unavoidable disintegration.

The Ultima Thule expedition is the apex of Endwalker's narrative. Close in the Distance did more than just establish the mood; when it slowly filled the eerie, hollow spaces of this last zone, it spoke straight to my soul. As I struggled with existential dread, this music, resonating through the memories of departed civilizations and Scions, became a source of understanding for me. It emphasized the idea of accepting death as a necessary part of life—not with hopelessness, but with a resolve to treasure each brief moment and stand tall.

One of the highlights of my gaming experience was facing the Endsinger as a Paladin. Final Fantasy XIV did what it does best—it flipped the script in the most dramatic and exhilarating way possible. As we braced for our inevitable defeat with the second Oblivion, the Scions' voices pierced through the despair and With Hearts Aligned began to play. After feeling so hopeless before, I couldn't help but yell with excitement. The dramatic shift from being on the edge of defeat to being carried away by this wave of hope and encouragement from well-loved characters was a masterful work of narrative and emotional design that demonstrated the game's unmatched storytelling abilities.

And then I reached true turning point of Endwalker—the confrontation with Zenos, the pinnacle of a conflict that spanned three expansions. When Zenos asked if I enjoyed the same thrills from fighting to the death, I replied that I did, a moment that chilled my spine and brought to light the complex relationship between enemies. My character Guinevere's sly acknowledgement of the rivalry, which had been built up over years of story development, highlighted this battle as more than simple one; it was a very intimate affair that signaled the end of an era and the deep journey I, as a player, had begun.

I could talk forever about this expansion, or better still, Final Fantasy XIV in its entirety. It's one of those rare games that completely changed the way I thought about video games as a medium. It's been a life-changing experience that has altered the way I think about video game storytelling and its ability to reflect the complexity of existential reflection, love, and life. Beyond just being entertained during the course of these two years, I have learned invaluable lessons about life's meaning, the importance of spending time with the people we love, and the courage that comes with accepting what is unavoidable.

Not only has Creative Business Unit III created a masterclass game, but they have crafted a profoundly uplifting experience that goes beyond the digital realm and touches the very essence of what it is to be human. I sincerely invite anyone who is intimidated by the complexity of massively multiplayer online games to give Eorzea a try. The Final Fantasy XIV experience is completely transformational, the journey is extensive, and the teachings are priceless. I look forward to the release of Dawntrail this July.

Thank you, Naoki Yoshida.

I knew playing this game after playing FFV would have a negative impact, and it did to an extent, but I did end up enjoying this game, probably even a little more than I thought I would.

Clearly a prototype for FFV in almost every way (from the job system and combat/ to the story and characters) it was clear that they were starting to get on the right path but not quite there yet. Still there's plenty to enjoy here. Even though the job system can't compare with V, it's still fun and I'd take it over whatever the heck that was in II. They do attempt a story here, and while it's basic, it's an improvement over FF1. Cid is back, and is a goat as always.

The music might be the least memorable for me out of any FF game I've played yet so that's a bummer.

There are a couple of frustrating sections in the game (the splitting up enemies can eat my fucking ass), but overall it's a fun game, and I'm glad I played it.

I'm really excited to get into IV and VI next, as I hear these are the games. It'll be interesting to see how they hold up.