Current Events > Thinking on it; FFXIV themes devolved more and more into pure horror (spoilers)

(+) Yeah! (+)

A Realm Reborn: Aside from a few void storylines and the World of Darkness, the plot was mainly focused on some big bad guys (Ascians) and fighting back the imperials off Eorzea. (We had the Edda story which started things off).

Heavensward: The Dragonsong war was horrible yes, however it was not as much horror as it was tragic. A few horror themes could be derived from the heretics giving their flesh to transform into dragons. One of the first 'horror' vibes you get was from Void Ark. It was like a ride complete with some pretty scary looking creatures. But still not up there on the terror scale.

Stormblood: This was when we were going more in depth with the absolutely horrendous experiments the Garleans were conducting on people and their effect on societies they subjugated (Social elitism, racism, ect). This in turn reflected the abhorrent acts the Allagans did back in the past. You could probably make numerous body horror stories with some of the creatures (or former people) you encounter here.

Shadowbringers: Here is where it truly gets horrible. The whole concept of Sin Eaters and their effect on Novrandt and its people. How it twists and turns people into pure monstrosities (Tesleen) and the Eulmorians did to their poor (slaves, turning them into monsters or meals for the population). You have Vaulthry and his rule with the Lightwardens. Then you have an introduction to the Nier Raids and story themes which doesnt really need explanation here. Lastly, the Sorrow of Werlyt storyline. One of the worst things in this game. What Valens did to those children included emotional abuse and child abuse, turning them into beings who killed themselves fighting for their own freedoms. And what the bastard did to one of the children (literally fusing him with a weapon while his sister was piloting it trying to save him but ultimately realizing that she is too late, emotionally scarring her).

Endwalker: And here is where it gets to the extreme. Imagine living in a world where Terminus creatures exist. Where if you feel enough anger, pain or sorrow, you could see loved ones turn into lovecraftian horrors in front of your eyes. The creatures in the game looked like it could literally be pulled from dead space or silent hill games. And they instantly turn on you, trying to kill you. What's even worse is that when you die, your soul doesnt even survive. You literally seize to exist.

There is even one scene where a kid gets turned in front of his father, only for the small monstrosity to be crushed by an even bigger one while the kid cries out in pain for his dad. And another one involving a mother and baby being thrown into a river with the mother dying and baby almost turning into a monster because of the stress.

And dont get me started on Meteion. The horror she turned into and what she brought. The planets she showed us and the terrifying tragedies that befell them all.

In the end, FFXIV really delved deep into horrific themes. I could bet you could take so much material from it and people would believe it to be from a horror story.

Endwalker had some very tense scenes.

neverwin posted...

Endwalker had some very tense scenes.

Yup. Literally went from fighting some bad guys and imperials to Cosmic lovecraftian horrors.

but it's all portrayed through an anime filter so it doesn't really hit the way you describe it

Bump

Kaiganeer posted...

but it's all portrayed through an anime filter so it doesn't really hit the way you describe it

It hits just fine actually, it being super dudebro realism wouldn't help it

Kiyune posted...

super dudebro realism wouldn't help it

i'm not saying it would, but the comical levels of over-acting and the stilted mmo cutscene tech don't do them any favors either

Meteion was right