Final Fantasy XIV 1.0: A Disaster Worth Revisiting
Final Fantasy XIV 1.0 was a disaster. From its confusing armor system to a shared level bar across roles, the game was a far cry from the quality we expect from modern Final Fantasy games. However, Final Fantasy XIV 1.0 deserves another look, despite its flaws.
The quality of 1.0's story was overshadowed by gameplay. The absence of tank stances, a confusing battle system, and the dreaded TP bar all contributed to the MMO's demise. However, the story laid the foundation for future narratives in the game, with A Realm Reborn expanding on the original storyline, and Shadowbringers exploring the truth behind it.
The quality of the story varied between 1.0 and A Realm Reborn, but the characters themselves underwent significant changes in both appearance and role. One standout character is Minfilia, who went from a simple, kind-hearted receptionist to the leader of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn. Her change in appearance was subtle, but the motion capture used to animate her movements added a natural fluidity to her character that was lacking in many of the game's cutscenes.
Minfilia's role in the story expanded significantly between the two games, although her change in appearance was lessened. The motion capture process would have added significant time to her character model, so her appearance in A Realm Reborn was less detailed. While this was disappointing, it was understandable given the time and effort required to bring her to life.
Unfortunately, the Ascians in 1.0 underwent a complete redesign, with a unique, grim reaper-like appearance that was reused for Ascian Prime. While this was a retcon, it adds context to their role in the story. The reshaping of the in-game world was also explained by the Fall of Dalamud caused by Bahamut. While some elements were retconned, the game's history was preserved in subsequent expansions.
Final Fantasy XIV 1.0 was not without its historical significance, despite its faults. Many of the game's events are referenced throughout A Realm Reborn and its expansions, and it's easy to appreciate the lore from the gift of hindsight.
That said, it's unlikely that players will ever have access to 1.0 content again, as the servers were shut down in 2014. However, you can watch the old 1.0 cutscenes on YouTube, showcasing the game's cinematic quality. The use of motion capture brought a natural movement to the characters that was lost in the in-game cutscenes, and the overall quality is clear when compared to later installments in the game.
The downside to this elaborate process was fewer cutscenes overall, with Shadowbringers only featuring one animated cutscene so far. This was likely due to time constraints and the effort required to animate the characters, but it's clear that it would have added to the overall quality of the game.
Final Fantasy XIV 1.0 may have been a disaster, but it laid the groundwork for the game we know and love today. The curiosity to revisit the game at its worst is driven by a desire to understand its flaws, and the gift of hindsight would allow for a deeper appreciation of the game's initial ideas.
While you'll never have the opportunity to experience 1.0 again, you can at least watch the old cutscenes online and reminisce about the game's cinematic quality.
