IX is an FF game I don’t prefer, but that’s just because I was a big fan of the modernized aesthetics of VII and VIII. Prior to VII, I was just getting tired of the chibi, medieval tropes RPGs relied on, and was praying a new game would jettison most of that. VII, and then VIII, was exactly the medicine I was looking…

The only people who say FFXIV housing is fine are the ones who already managed to get a house.

Also, if you like instanced housing systems in other MMOs, you’ll be shit out of luck in FFXIV. I won’t go into the details, because I’m tired of that bs, but let’s just say it’ll probably not be what most folks expect or want in terms of ownership.

Yeah. A big con everyone new should be made aware of is, SQUARE-ENIX SUCKS AT MANAGING ACCOUNTS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS. So be very careful with signing up and Google the hell out of every option you have regarding platforms, expacs, time cards, regions, etc. This cannot be understated.

For the main landscape fights, you can squeak by using a chocobo companion. The chocobo ranks up with its own xp, and you can put them in tank, heals, or dps mode on the fly, depending on what job you happen to be on.

Yup, although in PVP targeting can become a total nightmare on the controller. Make sure all of the targeting options are tweaked in there.

Yes, I know all that. I’m just saying there needs to be a new answer that allows for a sense of freedom that doesn’t fail. It was a question I threw out there, because how long will the current MMO formula last? Forever? What's the next step?

Yeah I hear you on that. Older MMOs had more freedom in a sense, but I think some of that was just lack of knowing when to guide the player. There is a point though where devs seem to pat themselves on the back for devising a new grind idea for player retention, but still makes the game feel like a checklist on an…

I’d almost like to see an MMO go completely the opposite direction of what has been the standard formula, but not make it assbutt-difficult like an Eve.

I’m totally betting Nintendo will announce that right before it releases. I mean, it is a Zelda game after all, and they are also pushing out the Lite. There is no way they’d let that opportunity pass them by.  

Yep. The items that sell are the ones that accelerate progress, since MMOs are inherently designed with time-sink mechanics because they are essential for player retention.

Without Stark and Rogers keeping the MCU in check, are we going to see shit like Project Insight try to sneak their way in again? I ask that not in a story rehash sort of way, but as a philosophical narrative.

Nintendo eventually made the 3DS a success at a time when it was looking like it was about to bomb. They are #1 in terms of knowing the handheld market and problem-solving. No one else even comes close.

Thus, the genius of its design. Nintendo this gen really nailed the vision they’ve been trying to figure out for decades.

As someone who hasn’t picked up a Switch yet, I’d be down to pick this up until I get the normal model later. Because Breath of the Wild, and the fact that my PS4 and PC already eat up space next to my tv.

I supposed they figured out a reason for players to march to the entrance of the dungeons, since part of the larger tragedy of the duty finder was that most no one ever remembers what the entrances to them looked or felt like. So that’s a plus.

Man, that sounds so fun. Now I need a videogame port of it.

I’ll hop on the VR train once they figure out how to pull it off without requiring goggles. Headphones is one thing, but goggles is a no-go.

And Quake III Arena. That music used to get me pumped up even though I used to get slaughtered.