Final Fantasy XIV Vs. The Elder Scrolls Online (TheGamer Article)

Summary

In this video, the creator dives into a comparison between *Elder Scrolls Online* (ESO) and *Final Fantasy XIV* (FFXIV), exploring key aspects like subscription models, story depth, combat mechanics, and social features. While the creator has a strong personal bias toward FFXIV due to its engaging combat system and immersive story, they discuss ESO's appeal, particularly for casual players due to its lack of a subscription fee. Despite disagreements with some points in an article by Jamie Pelican, the creator remains open to revisiting ESO, though they believe FFXIV remains the superior choice for them.

Takeaways

• 😀 ESO does not require a subscription, making it more appealing to casual players who don't want a recurring fee, while FFXIV uses a subscription-based model.
• 😀 FFXIV offers a more compelling and deeper story with rich character development, while ESO’s story is more beginner-friendly but lacks memorable characters.
• 😀 ESO’s combat system is action-oriented and immersive, but FFXIV's tab-targeting system becomes more engaging as players progress and level up.
• 😀 ESO allows for more player choices to impact the world directly, whereas FFXIV’s choices are largely flavor text with minimal consequences.
• 😀 FFXIV is better for social features and cross-platform play, though ESO allows console players to interact with others, but is separated by platform.
• 😀 ESO’s lack of a subscription fee makes it a better choice for players who prefer a more casual or flexible approach to MMO gaming.
• 😀 FFXIV’s combat system is easy to get into but difficult to master, offering depth and complexity based on your class and role, which ESO’s combat lacks.
• 😀 FFXIV supports cross-platform play, allowing PC and PlayStation players to interact, while ESO does not offer cross-platform play between PC and console players.
• 😀 ESO is considered more appealing for players who prefer a casual MMO experience due to its one-time purchase model and lack of pressure to constantly play.
• 😀 The speaker expresses a strong personal preference for FFXIV, particularly due to the game’s immersive story, progression, and community, but remains open to exploring ESO further.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script?

The video focuses on comparing *Elder Scrolls Online (ESO)* and *Final Fantasy XIV (FFXIV)*, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each game based on the speaker's personal experiences and preferences.

How does the speaker feel about the clickbait title of the original article?

The speaker finds the article's title clickbait-y and humorous, mentioning that they would use it as a highlight for their content due to how exaggerated and appealing the title is.

Why does the speaker prefer *Final Fantasy XIV* over *Elder Scrolls Online*?

The speaker prefers *Final Fantasy XIV* because of its engaging combat system, rich story, and overall deeper game mechanics, even though they acknowledge that *Elder Scrolls Online* has its own strengths.

What does the speaker think about the story in *Elder Scrolls Online* compared to *Final Fantasy XIV*?

The speaker agrees with the article that *Final Fantasy XIV* offers a more compelling and rich story with strong character development. They feel that ESO's story is decent but not as impactful or memorable.

Does the speaker agree with the claim that *Elder Scrolls Online* has more impactful player choices?

No, the speaker disagrees with this claim, stating that while ESO offers more choices, the consequences of those choices aren’t as significant as they are made out to be. In contrast, FFXIV offers different kinds of variety that still keep the game engaging.

What is the speaker's opinion on *Elder Scrolls Online's* combat system?

The speaker finds ESO's combat system lackluster, describing it as 'scuffed' and not as immersive as *action combat* in games like *Dark Souls* or *Monster Hunter*. They contrast this with FFXIV's tab-targeting system, which they feel is more accessible and engaging as players progress.

How does the speaker feel about the accessibility of *Final Fantasy XIV*’s combat system?

The speaker thinks *Final Fantasy XIV*'s combat system is easy to get into, especially for newcomers, but becomes increasingly difficult to master as players advance. This is seen as a positive feature because it offers depth and complexity as players progress.

Does *Final Fantasy XIV* support cross-platform play, and why is it an advantage?

Yes, *Final Fantasy XIV* supports cross-platform play, allowing players on PC, PlayStation, and other platforms to play together. This is seen as an advantage as it provides a larger, more unified player base compared to *Elder Scrolls Online*, which has separate player bases for different platforms.

What is the speaker’s view on the casual nature of *Elder Scrolls Online*?

The speaker agrees that *Elder Scrolls Online* is better suited for casual players, especially due to its lack of a subscription fee. They mention that ESO is a great option for players who want to play at their own pace without the pressure of a monthly subscription.

What does the speaker think about the social aspects of both games?

The speaker disagrees with the article’s claim that *Final Fantasy XIV* has better social features. While they agree that FFXIV has strong social tools, they feel that ESO might be better for casual play with friends, as it doesn't require such a strong commitment to progression, allowing for a more relaxed multiplayer experience.

Does the speaker think they will change their mind about *Elder Scrolls Online*?

The speaker expresses openness to changing their mind about *Elder Scrolls Online* and intends to play it more in the future, though they believe that it will be very difficult for any game to surpass *Final Fantasy XIV* for them based on their experiences with the latter.