Final Fantasy XIV Patch 6.5 Growing Light impressions — Fortune favors the friendly

Golbez is finally within reach, with only one more obstacle standing in our hero’s way. To save the Source once more, the Warrior of Light has had to call on virtually all of her allies for help, and it’s time to return to the First for just a bit more aid. With a new adventure just over the horizon, how will events in the Void shake out?

While I’ve been a vocal critic of Endwalker’s patch content so far, I’m happy to see them stick the landing. I don’t think the MSQ’s super long buildup really justifies the conclusion, but it is still very enjoyable and one of the best parts of the post-expansion story. Zero’s character arc reaches a satisfying end here, with hope to see a different side of her in the future. The dungeon and trial are also a ton of fun with some bombastic spectacle, though to describe why would be spoiling the surprise. It was a rough road to get here, but I think the ending at least meaningfully adds to the ongoing FFXIV story and experience.

Meanwhile, the other big addition here is the finale to the Myths of the Realm Alliance Raid series, and hoo boy does it deliver. Some guesses I made about the plot turned out to be right while still leaving room to surprise me (and I finally got some unique dialogue from my patron deity, Oschon).

The real show stopper is the raid itself, however. Each boss is a tense battle, with interesting mechanics – some of which draw on things we’ve seen before in different raids. To top it off, the final battle literally combines everything the raid has thrown at you so far into one big fight that’s as difficult as it is cool. I went in with a premade party this time (thanks Bio Roxas for the invite!), and while we never wiped, there were still deaths left and right. I normally shy away from replaying Alliance Raids because I don’t find them all that fun, but this series has me itching to return to all three.

Island Sanctuary has also been updated, increasing the ranking cap to 20. I can’t really comment on this because I’m still rank 6, but I really enjoy the sanctuary even if I forget it exists pretty often. The rewards you get look cool too – here’s hoping that hat works on Viera and Hrothgar. I don’t know how people grind this long term section out so quickly, but I prefer to take my time. Otherwise, it hasn’t changed mechanically. You gather materials, raise creatures, and build structures to really make the place your home while preserving its natural beauty. That is to say it’s still kinda clunky, but fun nonetheless.

Finally, there’s a new Variant and Criterion Dungeon: Mount Rokkon. It was released in 6.4 apparently and I just missed it until now. This sees you climbing a mountain near Kugane alongside Hancock to defeat a demon infestation and recover priceless artifacts. I’ve heard a lot of criticism of these from the community, but I thoroughly enjoy them. It’s a nice way to feel like I’m getting something done while playing solo. You can go through these with a party (and change classes midway, which is awesome), but I prefer to go alone as a Summoner. Figuring out all the bosses and different routes is a lot of fun, though I conceded there are some baffling requirements to unlock some like the Vase hidden in a supply closet in The Sil’dihn Subterrane and… whatever I need to do to avoid the quicksand attack here. I actually had to abandon my first run because this kept instantly killing me because i didn’t have the favor of the gods, apparently. I’m not averse to looking up a guide for these to get all the routes, but I do wish there was a better way to keep track of what you have already been through.

Before we go, there’s one last thing I’d like to mention. Take this with the most salt you possibly can, but it seems like the ending cutscene of the MSQ here is teasing female Hrothgar. Granted, we only see this character from the thighs down, but it seems like their feet from their open toed shoes has a bit of a fur texture to it. I really hope this is the case, because we’ve been waiting long enough for the males’ counterpart (given FFXIV only supports binary gender). Depending on how they look, I may actually try them out come Dawntrail, I just hope they’re just as beastly as the males without that weird slouch. Please don’t have the ridiculous sexual dimorphism of the Au’ra, thank you very much. Regardless of my hopes and expectations, I’m glad we’re finally getting them if that’s what this is teasing. Maybe by 8.0, Viera and Hrothgar will be able to wear all the headgear too.

This is just part 1 of the planned 6.5x content, so stay tuned for somehow further Hildebrand adventures, more of the best scion Tataru’s Grand Endeavor, and the finale to the Endwalker patch storyline.

David Flynn

Editor | [email protected]

David is the kind of person to wear his heart on his sleeve. He can find positives in anything, like this is a person who loved Star Fox Zero to death. You’ll see him playing all kinds of games: AAAs, Indies, game jam games, games of all genres, and writing about them! Here. On this website. When not writing or playing games, you can find David making music, games, or enjoying a good book.
David’s favorite games include NieR: Automata, Mother 3, and Gravity Rush.

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