There’s a lot to do in Ultimate Fantasy XIV, Sq. Enix’s critically acclaimed MMORPG. Positive the newest growth, Dawntrail, simply added a ton of recent areas and quests to discover in its continuation of the sport’s sprawling foremost story, however wait till you hear about all the opposite issues you possibly can stand up to! There are optionally available raids, alternate jobs to stage, the mini-game-filled Golden Saucer, taking on cooking or botany, fishing, and don’t even get me began on the true FF14 end-game that’s trend. Within the midst of all this, one exercise that usually goes ignored is the standard Sightseeing Log. However with the current graphical replace prettying up outdated and new areas alike, now could be the right time to mud off the log, revisit outdated haunts, and bear in mind why you fell in love with Eorzea within the first place.
The Sightseeing Log is precisely what it seems like—a listing of areas throughout the map for gamers to go to as a way to see some sights. It guides you to scenic vistas and rewards you with nothing however a pleasant view. As of Dawntrail, the Sightseeing log consists of over 300 vistas within the recreation. With so many extra participating and rewarding actions to stand up to, I’ve discovered that many buddies have, understandably, not accomplished it.
Prior to now month, nevertheless, I’ve been on a race via the MMO to catch as much as Dawntrail. I began within the midst of Endwalker and am now within reach of the brand new growth, however I’ve just lately slowed my progress. That is partially to maintain from burning out, the very factor that stopped me from finishing Endwalker when it launched in 2021. And in shifting gears to deal with having fun with points of the sport exterior of the Primary State of affairs Quests (MSQ), I’ve grown fairly keen on the Sightseeing Log.. In actual fact, I’d say there’s an understated brilliance in the way in which it encourages you to only cease and luxuriate in the great thing about the world infrequently.
It helps that with Dawntrail, Ultimate Fantasy 14 additionally acquired a long-awaited graphical replace. Whereas the brand new areas have benefited probably the most from the visible touch-up, the remainder of the sport seems noticeably higher, too. Which raises the query, when was the final time you visited your favourite place within the recreation? As a result of each participant has one. Personally, I’m a fan of the Empty in Norvrandt. However so typically we overlook the areas of the previous and transfer on to what’s new. The graphical replace offers you an opportunity to actually see issues in a brand new gentle. In the event you’ve by no means achieved the Sightseeing Log earlier than, you’re in luck as a result of the sport’s most stunning areas look higher than they ever have and they’re ready for you. It additionally serves as an excellent break from the MSQ grind of a brand new growth.
With a lot to do in Ultimate Fantasy 14, everybody round you is all the time plugging away at this or that with an finish aim or reward in thoughts. Perhaps it’s a cool mount or piece of substances, but it surely most likely requires finishing one of many recreation’s most difficult duties. Contemplate, for example, all the hassle it takes to beat the Baldesion Arsenal that many gamers undergo to earn the Demi-Ozma mount. In distinction to that, the Sightseeing Log is low-effort and lacks any tangible reward. However that’s to not say that doing it’s pointless. The reward of doing the Sightseeing Log is connecting with the gorgeous, handcrafted landscapes we so typically ignore within the every day routine of enjoying Ultimate Fantasy 14.
Ultimate Fantasy 14 is a beautiful, expansive recreation with diversified environments. Nevertheless, the MSQ isn’t all the time nice about displaying off the complexities of its areas. Sure, it makes you trek backwards and forwards throughout maps numerous occasions, but it surely’s often alongside the identical paths, and infrequently encourages you to discover additional. Aspect quests and different actions can nudge you off probably the most well-traveled paths infrequently, however the whole lot is so tied to fight that you simply typically have little alternative to deal with the world round you. Even Aether Currents, areas speckled throughout the maps that unlock flying in every area, typically have questionable placements that miss the chance to point out off the world at its greatest and most stunning. The Sightseeing Log succeeds on this regard, providing dazzling views of the sport that I didn’t know have been attainable, all whereas being a quiet and contemplative reprieve.
I believe loads in regards to the digital worlds we inhabit as gamers. Too typically I discover them designed to be handed over and run via with out a lot thought. Even beautiful vistas are sometimes fast showcases of graphical energy that not often persuade you that this digital world is in truth a world in its personal proper. To me, the Sightseeing Log presents Eorzea as a world of its personal somewhat than an amusement park due to the way it reframes your relationship with that world. So typically as Warriors of Mild, we push via areas with little friction. It’s on to the subsequent quest, the subsequent raid, the subsequent reward. The Sightseeing Log asks us to easily take within the atmosphere round us for no different motive than to see it. Partaking with this has solely deepened my appreciation for Ultimate Fantasy 14 as a complete. It’s about stopping and smelling the roses, or maybe extra aptly, the Elpis flowers.
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