While similarities are apparent in their approach to the social side of the genre, the high-fantasy setting, and plentiful support since their respective releases with hefty expansions, Final Fantasy 14 and World of Warcraft are largely different in the way they each approach the subject of storytelling. Each are ripe for epic, satisfying tales to unfold, yet SquareEnix and Blizzard Entertainment have different philosophies in regard to the roll-out of such stories, which makes each worthy of experiencing.
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Azeroth and Eorzea Each Have A Story Worth Telling
The most fundamental difference between how World of Warcraft, and Final Fantasy 14 handle their respective stories is within the game design itself. World of Warcraft’s setting, tone, and combat are at the heart of its narrative experience, as the plot is often minimal apart from some significant lore. As such, the story pushes forward (with a few exceptions) with far less core storytelling than Final Fantasy 14. However, the weight behind World of Warcraft’s name would have players believe the story is a lost cause if it wasn’t undertaken all those years ago, but this isn’t the case. Thanks to its often simplistic writing, exploring the World of Warcraft tale from the beginning isn’t the impossible feat many would think.
Conversely, Final Fantasy 14 is a game that revels in its intricate character development, convoluted story arcs, and deliberate narrative pacing. From the humble dwelling of Gridania to the towering spires of Ishgard, the quest that falls upon the Warrior of Light is littered with lengthy cutscenes and stellar character interactions. This is a main-line entry in the esteemed Final Fantasy series, and though the blunder of Final Fantasy 11 seemingly rendered the franchise unsuitable for the MMO genre, the approach to shared worlds this time around was far more refined. The improvements extended to storytelling, as Final Fantasy 14 succeeds where its predecessors also triumphed, with its tale being one of sacrifice, heroism, companionship, and bravery.
A Story Is Only As Good As Its Characters
To tell a memorable story, the people that inhabit it have to be memorable, too. While World of Warcraft’s playable races will be recognizable to those who are familiar with Dungeons and Dragons, the offerings available in Final Fantasy 14 are far more unique to the experience. With a number assigned comes expectations, one of which is quality character development. Final Fantasy, despite surviving in a somewhat crowded JRPG genre, has always been unique to itself. As such, opting to include Lalafell rather than Gnomes or Roegadyn instead of Orcs gives some much-needed distance between Final Fantasy 14 and its World of Warcraft counterpart.
Some characters in the ever-improving World of Warcraft universe have been there since the 2004 beginning, and as players have grown over the course of its 18-year life, it’s increasingly easier to forget the flaws of the game’s approach to character development. Final Fantasy 14 doesn’t have as much of a history, so it’s easy for the characters that line the lands of Eorzea to fade into the background of the series.
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World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy 14’s Opposite Upbringings
Final Fantasy 14 has a legacy to protect - one that’s steeped in wonderful single-player storytelling. From Locke to Noctis, the series has a lineage of over 30 years that has placed far more emphasis on narrative pacing and writing than social connectivity. Final Fantasy 14’s community has long been considered one of the best in the MMO genre, but as most players spend their time dipping in and out of cutscenes, there’s rarely any opportunity for toxicity. Though its proficiency in handling core MMO mechanics is evident, Final Fantasy 14 feels like a singleplayer experience first and foremost, with the community and party aspects fitting around the solo offerings.
World of Warcraft’s origins lie in the MMO genre, and the importance of the story often feels overshadowed by other, equally important components. A streamlined combat system, interesting PvP, and superb, ever-improving dungeons are as important to World of Warcraft as a compelling story, which is a design philosophy that most Massive Multiplayer Online games adhere to. Where Final Fantasy 14, and World of Warcraft differ is their beginnings, which have gone on the shape the way in which each carries its narrative forward.
Comparisons Are Temporary, Great Stories Are Everlasting
The impressive tales that make up much of Final Fantasy 14’s content are undoubtedly the main draw to the game, as is the way with any Final Fantasy release. World of Warcraft is different, instead placing more emphasis on the lore of the world and taking its time allowing for the narrative to unfold. Expansions have developed the World of Warcraft story, though each of the eight expansions seems to inch the game further away from the fundamentals that made it so great to begin with. Final Fantasy 14 has only four expansions, and despite all offering exceptional storytelling, they require the player’s undivided attention, so completing the often mechanically uninspired quests is not something that can be done passively.
Both World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy 14 have a seat atop the MMO mountain, and players will continue to flock to their servers for years to come thanks to the quirks that makes each so special. The similarities are evident, and the competition between the two is irritatingly fierce at times, but the genre is made better by their critical differences. Stories have the potential to unfold in any number of unique ways, and World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy 14 both succeed in bringing theirs to life.
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