I think one reason that it feels as if there's an extra grind, at least to me, is because of the way the storyline has worked so far.
Now keep in mind I've not gotten to Open Beta yet, but I was in Closed Beta, and so I am going off of that. And what occurred in Closed was that the storyline missions would only unlock further and further with every increment of 10 levels.
In the case of FFXI, the progression of the storyline was not dependent on your highest job level, but simply by your nation standing (basically something built up either through trading crystals to guards, or repeating a repeatable nation mission). While yes, you still have to grind and level to actually be at a level to complete missions, you didn't feel like you had to grind to even begin a mission. It's subtle, almost a technical difference, but it makes a world of difference. In XI's case, you wanted to grind to see what happened next, because you'd be on a cliffhanger until you were ready. In XIV, once you hit 10, 20, 30, whatever, you can do the entirety of that mission's string, it seems.
Could be I am talking out of my butt, but that's just me.
Now keep in mind I've not gotten to Open Beta yet, but I was in Closed Beta, and so I am going off of that. And what occurred in Closed was that the storyline missions would only unlock further and further with every increment of 10 levels.
In the case of FFXI, the progression of the storyline was not dependent on your highest job level, but simply by your nation standing (basically something built up either through trading crystals to guards, or repeating a repeatable nation mission). While yes, you still have to grind and level to actually be at a level to complete missions, you didn't feel like you had to grind to even begin a mission. It's subtle, almost a technical difference, but it makes a world of difference. In XI's case, you wanted to grind to see what happened next, because you'd be on a cliffhanger until you were ready. In XIV, once you hit 10, 20, 30, whatever, you can do the entirety of that mission's string, it seems.
Could be I am talking out of my butt, but that's just me.
A friend to the end to depend on you can.
I walk through the sea, swim through the sands.
To the edges of the earth, to your rescue when you hurt,
Only thing I learnt is I'm not Superman.
~Giant Panda - Strings
I walk through the sea, swim through the sands.
To the edges of the earth, to your rescue when you hurt,
Only thing I learnt is I'm not Superman.
~Giant Panda - Strings
