FFXIV may be one of many greatest and finest MMORPGs going, nevertheless it’s solely pretty just lately managed to draw its viewers to the PvP area with the addition of Crystalline Battle. As FFXIV celebrates the ten-year anniversary of its rebirth and prepares to sail in the direction of a brand new journey with the FFXIV Dawntrail launch date subsequent yr, PCGamesN asks Sq. Enix’s FFXIV battle system designer Hikaru Tamaki what makes the mode so particular, and what he loves most about it.
Last Fantasy 14 has risen to heights past something anticipated after its preliminary, failed launch again in 2010, with its reworked A Realm Reborn and the award-winning expansions that adopted propelling it to the very peak of the style, however Sq. Enix has lengthy struggled to discover a footing within the PvP aspect of issues – till the arrival of Crystalline Battle, that’s, which launched with the Endwalker enlargement’s patch 6.1 in April 2022.
I ask Tamaki why he thinks the mode is nice for gamers to leap into, even those that won’t be conversant in FFXIV PvP. He notes that the convenience of leaping right into a recreation with out excessive dedication makes it simpler to check out than different modes. “The time per match is brief in Crystalline Battle, permitting for fast-paced play whether or not you win or lose, and rewards for participation embrace EXP on your job and Sequence EXP for unique rewards.” There’s additionally the choice to play informal matches, the place there’s no threat of dropping all the way down to a decrease tier for those who lose. “So I’d love for gamers to take it simple and benefit from the content material,” Tamaki provides.
One other key function in Crystalline Battle’s favor is its visible readability. Over time, FFXIV has gotten more and more higher about putting a stability between handsome results and ensuring gamers can clearly inform what’s happening. This turns into particularly essential for larger mechanics, such because the eruptions within the Volcanic Coronary heart map – one thing Takami says he’s quite keen on.
“I believe we succeeded in making it visually interesting and flashy, whereas incorporating the bomb monster, which is common all through the mainline Last Fantasy franchise,” he explains. “As with different mechanics, we’re aware of creating positive that even inexperienced persons and those that get pleasure from spectating can inform that one thing nice is enjoying out in entrance of them.”
Map-specific tips and mechanics are an enormous a part of the attraction of the varied Crystalline Battle maps, making every stand out from the others. I ask Tamaki which is his favourite, and he tells me, “As a mechanic, it’s easy, however the dash lanes are my favourite. Merely transferring quicker may be exhilarating, and it will also be used strategically, akin to chasing after or operating away from enemies.”
“From a extra developer’s perspective,” he provides, “the dash lane can also be a helpful mechanic in that it may be integrated as a conduit of kinds between factors which are barely separated from one another, whatever the map’s traits, and it permits battles to happen at varied factors over a big space of the map.”
As for what we are able to count on for the way forward for the mode, Tamaki says, “Personally, I’m searching for a bit extra expandability for jobs managed by the participant.” Whereas he notes that new maps and enhancements to the programs and UI will proceed to roll out, the newest of that are as a consequence of arrive with FFXIV patch 6.5, he thinks that “if we are able to make some enhancements to the precise characters and actions gamers can function, they are going to be capable of admire a sensation of ‘change’ as they play the content material.”
So which jobs does Tamaki choose to play within the mode? “Partially as a result of I’m initially a fan of healers anyway however my favourite could be Astrologian with its notably excessive therapeutic efficiency,” he responds. “Relying on how the actions are used, it could make a major contribution on the offensive aspect, and I like the truth that there are a lot of choices out there. My reply is darkish knight for tanks, and for DPS, I usually play ninja and dancer!”
As for which jobs he’d advocate to new Crystalline Battle gamers, he notes that “it’s finest to play what you really really feel comfy with,” however suggests gamers take into account beginning out on tanks or utilizing ranged jobs that may be a bit extra survivable, as newcomers to the mode gained’t be used to PvP-specific actions.
“I believe the primary barrier for newcomers could be PvP-specific actions akin to Guard and Recuperate,” Tamaki says. “Dash and restrict breaks work on a distinct system from PvE as effectively.” He recommends enjoying the larger-scale Frontline mode as a option to become familiar with these, however notes that the crew is contemplating methods to introduce “a system for gamers to study in regards to the capabilities of such actions and the precise strategies for utilizing them.”
Additionally advisable are the roles “that aren’t so troublesome to play, however with highly effective restrict breaks that make it simple for gamers to benefit from the sensation of creating an energetic contribution to the crew.” Tamaki factors to the Warrior as a great tank decide, but in addition means that “Dragoon from melee DPS, Machinist from bodily ranged DPS, Summoner from magical ranged DPS, and White Mage from healers are particularly advisable!”
When you’ve dominated on the battlefields of Crystalline Battle, why not loosen up and work in your FFXIV Island Sanctuary with the assistance of our complete information? We’ve additionally picked out the most effective single-player MMOs for those who fancy extra video games as well-suited as FFXIV to enjoying by your self.
