While I felt it did not reach the heights of flames of truth or shadowbringers I can't wait to react to another FF trailer soon! The first 1,000 people to use this link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/chrisconnor06211
This entire trailer is more or less fan service to the playerbase, taking information, music and themes from all all the expansion's and base game. It holds a lot more power and value to those who have experienced the game first hand until now, while still looking cool for new potential players.
you seem to be missinformed, the info we currently have is that Endwalker will be the end of the Hydalin VS Zodiac Arc, of everything weve experienced so far but it was allready stated that this wont be the end, just the beginning of a new story with new enemys afterwards
@Ethan Haesloop *sips tea* oh you think that's the end of 14 taking your tears? 83 a little thing 14 does incredibly well: it reminds you that life is not fair, and that there are things you cannot control. 8'3 tho congrats getting through the Vault :3
I have love journey ffxiv i kinda hope they move toward FF17 mmo or somthing then keep doing more expansions. This expansion will end story of this world i cant imagine what the after this one should be about. Move to new world with the scion and with new story.
@@GhungaTheGreat 6.0 is the end of the hydelyn/zodiac arc 6.1 will get us to something new. And there are a bunch of options. We still don't know all that much about the Allagan empire, were did midgardsomer and omega come from, what about the other paralel worlds and the world map still has a lot of empty spots
Yep. What most don't realize is that this is the final "chapter" in the story that was started in 2.0... multi-year/expansion story arc. The new story arc starts in 6.01. Which that probable will go until 9.0 or even 10.0. So, yes, the final chapter trailer would be something that would be more geared towards the ones foloowing the story so far. As others stated it's like watching trailer for End Game and not seen any of the 20+ movies setting End Game up.
And it makes sense that the trailer is aimed at the player base rather than a wider audience because you won't even be able to access Endwalker content until you complete the rest of the game first. So why even bother trying to appeal to a new audience when they won't even be able to access this stuff until they beat there rest of the game. That being said, I was. blown away enough by this trailer that I decided to start playing the game.
@@darkanddandy6898 the whole point of a trailer is to appeal to the masses and get people, new and old, interested. I really don’t like what they did with this cinematic which is why it’s my least favorite out of all of them. It just doesn’t have the hype factor as the others, the parts I guess are good is the hw and stormblood section of this trailer
This trailer truly FEELS like the culmination of 8 years of story building. The music in this is a perfect echo of our journey, a medley taking the themes from each previous expansion. Dragons and dragoons? Heavensward theme. Map on fire and the faces of old adversaries? Stormblood. Scions doing their thing? Torn from the Heavens. The warrior fighting a familiar nightmare monster? Shadowbringers. It's all there and yes, this is a trailer that has the distinct FEEL of a final chapter coming to a close, a final crescendo to this journey. As a veteran, I can say that while I agree the trailer isn't as much of an enticing, thrilling spectacle as the Shadowbringers one, Endwalker is like a love letter to our story so far and so much more personal as a result. It feels to me more like the final leap off the cliff we've been climbing towards all this time and I cannot wait to fall and see where I land. Whats even more gut-wrenching is the recently released knowledge that we could've lost the beloved composer of these intrinsic songs to cancer, Masayoshi Soken. And by his own words, it was his love for the game and appreciation from us the players that kept him WORKING FROM HIS HOSPITAL BED for 8 months to release the single most impactful boss fight music and this masterpiece of a musical journey. We love you Soken, and we're glad you're kicking cancer's butt!!
10-11 years actually. It goes all the way back to 1.0. Just because 1.0 failed, the story wasn't tossed out, which is why ARR was 2.0. Despite being a new game it continued the story.
I dunno if it's that confusing, though. "The fabric of the star had begun to fray, its land rent by tooth and claw" = Everything's falling apart & monsters are tearing apart the land, which is emphasized by the map showing everywhere is literally on fire. "As the chaos spread, the star seemed doomed to unravel (everything totally falling apart everywhere). Yet still there were those who stood in defiance of that fate" = we see how there's an invasion of monsters but this dragoon & dragon are still fighting, emphasized by the dragoon "The hour has come, Vritra. It's all or nothing." (For us players, we know the dragoon, but Vritra? We've never seen this dragon whatsoever. Those of us who have dug enough know she's one of the first brood of dragons born on the planet, but that's about it). We see the villains, then cut to two other characters. "It is as we feared. The respite afforded this land was but fleeting. The end draws nigh." = Again emphasizing this is essentially the apocalypse. Also notice that when it zooms out, that location isn't on fire where everything else is? Again, "respite afforded this land was but fleeting" means it's about to be consumed as well. Regarding that location, we know nothing about it either. We've never been there. All we know is what we're seeing in this trailer. We know a little vaguely from game stuff, like outfits with the name attached, and what they showed us at the Fan Fest after this trailer debuted, but going into it, we know nothing about that other than what I'm laying out here, gleamed entirely from the trailer alone. Then we cut to the next city, the map also shows it's not on flames. We go through libraries, then deep, then a locked door indicated there's knowledge that's been hidden away and locked up. "This star still has secrets to tell." = there's some revelation this character has found. Again, we've never been here in the game. We do know that character, but the library and city? We've not been here in-game before. We've only heard about it and that can largely be boiled down to "city of scholars who are neutral to politics of other nations." Final cut within the city: "So, Sharlayan would keep its council while the world is lost to ruin?" "It would, come what may, we shall live on. We must." sets up a conflict that this clearly well established culture could help but are choosing not to. "Past the far edge of fate, between blades dark and light, tolling the coming of the end." - cryptic "light vs dark" stuff, but c'mon that's fairly standard trailer cryptic teasing stuff! Without actually knowing more about the story itself, the trailer is still telling a LOT of the story set up visually and with minimal words. If you've played the game, you know all the details, but the basic premise is all there in the trailer. For the music, the lyrics are actually really interesting and they love to tease what the true meaning is of the song. Speculation abounds. You should check out some of Alex Makoula's videos - he does the same thing you do, but analyzing the music. As others have said, there are themes from all the previous expansion interwoven into the music. Regarding the map - Lord of the Rings trilogy used sweeping motions over the map to demonstrate distance and locations. ;)
perfect description right here. when i heard the HW music i lost my mind (i'm a main dragoon and Estinien is one of my fave characters xD) and getting to finally meet another of the first brood is a treat. Then Fandaniel...this just gives me a second chance to punch his very punchable face 8D and apparently G'raha is a sneak because that room is 100% locked with chains and a very large lock lol and Y'shtola is tired of taking crap. i think what interests me is that, when it transitions between Zenos and Meteor (the WoL) it's like we FELT him watching almost. maybe it's in reaction to the big worm from Amarout, but it's still interesting to think about :3c i am so hyped for this expansion!
The trailer was specifically designed for those who actually have played up to a certain point (considered a treat for the players). The map on fire is showing the destruction of the world as we know it. Regarding the two twin elves, the girl is a Red Mage. Red Mages can heal themselves (that's why she says she can take care of herself). I agree, this was not the best trailer, cause it did not tell a story for the "non-player", but to the player...it's epic
Red mages need their focus, which was well away from her alongside her sword. It's not that she can take care of herself as a red mage, it's that Alisae is roegadyn sized sass fit into a small elezen sized body. ;)
i watched this trailer as a non player at the time, i was so freaking hyped watching it, it looked so cool. i didn't know who any of the people were, but i was so hyped for it! Still am, and it's even cooler now that i actually know who some of the characters are!!!!! :D
I'm perfectly alright with this trailer being for the player base rather than non players. It is the end of an epic story that was earned through years of storytelling. The music also does fit and is absolutely amazing if you have journeyed through the story. It's really like a love letter to FFXIV fans!
I understand you Chris because in fact, this trailer is full a references, as much in the visual as the music. This trailer rassemble many things and especially in his theme, there's a lot of part that, if you listen ell, you notice some short part of other expansion's main theme as for example the Eorzean Lyrics at the Dragoon's arrival. As you said, there's a lot of characters which are doing or saying things that you don't really understand, it is normal because, in fact, this expansion will create a conclusion of many part of the game's story, what the characters are making is showing that the things are moving and getting closer to an End, searching for answers of questions that are asked in game. So, as you say, for a no player it's a bit strange, even meaningless I think, so not surprised that it is not your favourite trailer, largely understandable
It is definitely meant for the people who have played the game, yeah. And as someone who has played the game, this is by far my favorite trailer. I keep finding myself watching it from time to time when I just want to feel some hype. And the few final lines from Emet with the "Past the far edge of fate, ring blades dark and light, towing the coming of the end" gives me mad chills.
if u don't watch it once a week what are you doing? 8D lol jk the music in this trailer is phenomenal. It feels like Soken's triumphant return, and it is
I get what you mean. It's true as compared to the previous expansions the trailers are more of setting up a "new" story, so it felt like you don not need to know what happened previously. Whereas Endwalker is more of setting up the conclusion, so you do need to know what had been going on due to how the scenes jump from one area to another.
This is FFXIV's technique each trailer will give you little hints and snippets of the story. It's not for people outside of the player base, because they already know the market for their audience considering they have more then 16million+ players. It's really not needed for them to make a trailer for "new" people that have no clue what this game is suppose to be about. Each trailer you'll notice will always feature the same characters, because each trailer ties together, if you watch all of them together its like a piece of a puzzle being put together. It's a shame that new people or people who've never heard of FFXIV won't understand, but lmao thats what the developers intended to be its not meant to be for anyone besides their fans.
the amount of hype i felt when watching it during Fanfest was nothing short of spectacular. i had just beaten the first half of 5.5 and hoooooo boi. i have never been more excited for an ending. This is going to be spectacular.
I played FFXIV, and played all through the story. Endwalker hit me hard. My emotional rollercoaster didn't stop till the end. Still now, I go to certain zones and I get super emotional cause of the experiences of the amazing story.
We players prolly know what " certain zone" you are talking about^^ Let me make a wilg guess and say that certain zone has a very particular song playing in the background, getting gradually louder and has me in tears every time I hear it. Does that sound about right?
This expansion is supposed to be the culmination of everything in the game since it's the ending of the current story arc, with the new story starting in the first patch. The cinematic also speeds along different scenes as it's showing of and playing the music from every expansion, then showing the new stuff, it's a lot to do in one cinematic. But in the end it was made for fans in mind, for people who have experienced the entire story so far, we know all these characters, some of them since the start of the game.
As other people have said. its kinda like watching the Trailer for the Avengers EndGame when you havent seen Avengers Infinity War. Because this trailer follows the events directly after 5.5 in the game which builds up to this. The trailer is designed in a way to think the viewer knows what the current events are in game, and builds off that to gives sneak peeks at whats to come rather than in depth combat. And the shoots exploring the city is to show off what the players will see in the new Zones and what to expect.
This isn’t the final expansion, but the trailer you are watching is the final trailer for Endwalker, since the first one came out a few months back. This just reveals a bit more of the story that’s going to be coming up, with minor changes from the first one.
@@Zakading Yoshi P knows it will confuse people, he has stated specifically that it isnt the end of the game. its just the end of the first major plot line, the Zodi-Arc. of course though this hinges on watching/reading interviews he has had and watching the live letters.
Really spot on with everything. The other trailers were selling the product to people in general. This one is a love letter to the veterans, down to the song. Which is very well appreciated for the final chapter of our story. The next trailer after this will definitely go back to form since it will be selling a new chapter of a brand new story.
Like a lot of people have mentioned, this trailer is definitely made for players that knows about the current events of the game & read the story, but I’d like to add that the trailer also introduces two new jobs (classes) which increases the hype and excitement for this trailer. I personally was overjoyed when I saw that they are finally adding a new healer, Sage (after 6 yrs of the previous healer release). The dps job is also very cool (Reaper)
This is not the final expansion in general, it just finishes the story arc from 1.0 to now (Patch 6.0), the next expansion will start a new Story Ark starting from Patch 6.1 or so. Just clarifying that :)
@@noname76787 4.3 was the wrap up for stormblood as well. *.0 is a basic story, *.1-*.3 is the epilogue to tie up loose ends, *.4-*.5 are to tease new plots and lead up to the next expansion. 6.0 will be different in the sense that it ends the "Zodi-arc" completely at the end of 6.0 and *.1-*.5 will all be setting up the next big major plotline.
That scene with the dragon and dragoon you were so stunned by, that "summoning" effect you were talking about was the DRG ultimate ability called Stardiver.
I understand how this felt to you. When I watched it before getting through the current story it felt disjointed and narratively broken. After I have the context though it feels like a many plot threads being pulled towards each other like a mass collapsing in on itself which is exactly what is as Endwalker is the end of a multi year world spanning story.
This expansion is the resolution of a storyline that's been on-going for roughly 8 years, ever since the game's reboot and is therefore laden with plot, making it very difficult for an outsider to understand what's happening (as you obv. noticed.) The shortest summary I can provide is the world is literally going to hell in a handbasket and the heroes pictured are doing everything to forestall/combat it. The hooded Asian man is an antagonist, as is the blonde-haired man with the scythe who was actually in the start of the ShB trailer (the man with the broken helmet.) Notably all sections of the trailer are a throwback to the previous expansions including the cinematics, the characters involved in those scenes (note both a dragon and dragoon were pictured in HW's part, fighting together rather than on opposite sides) and the music. (In the third part- "Storm of blood, born from blood of our fallen brothers.") Even the part showing the city by the water is reminiscent of ShB's trailer when it transitioned to the crystal tower. Endwalker's trailer is 100% a review of everything that's happened to remind the player of everything they've overcome. It is absolutely understandable if this didn't give you quite the hype ShB's trailer did. edit: additional note, the twins are some of the very first npcs you ever meet in game (second and third iirc). they were with you when you started your journey and are here with you as you "finish" it, so their part in the trailer, as well as the timing of their appearance, is a throwback to the very start of everything as well.
Though I do like the trailer, the one from Shadowbringers is probably my favorite. That scene towards the end as the warrior of light changes to dark knight and the song just ramping up gives me chills all the time.
They can't top shadowbringers. Endwalker didn't top it so nothing else might since endwalker bad a lot more potential to be badass. I had an idea of all the past villains/friends coming to help the Wol in a animation perspective, not really being there but we see them anyway but instead we just got the walk to ultima thule with their voices. Does make it badass sad but not badass epic that the final fight should have been. And meteon is the most garbage final boss i ever seen. I can write a fanfiction better than that garbage...
So unlike previous expansion trailers, can't really do a ton of explaining the lore and what's happening here. Mostly because this trailers is essentially just setting the stage, as opposed to building upon the story. The track being played is called "Forging Ahead", and it actually is its own track composed of snippets of the other trailer songs from ARR, Heavensward, Stormblood, and Shadowbringers. You probably caught the "storm of blood, born from blood" section. That's a callback to the expansion called, shockingly, "Stormblood". Pay attention to the lyrics though, if you're interested in the story. They almost always foreshadow things in the songs. Story wise, the trailer is showing an apocalypse tier event coming about, that's why the map is on fire, and the heroes from the previous expansions are at their limits just to hold on. Most of these heroes being people we either directly saved, or recruited into our fold. So there's a lot of personal story between us as player and these characters. Even the ones who are decidedly non-heroic are joining us to take on this one. (Shown by the dragon and dragoon, who aren't in our immediate friend-group, but are heroes on their own right.) The "storm of blood, born from blood" section actually cuts in showing two characters that were introduced in that expansion. The guy in the chair with the scythe was the primary antagonist of that expansion, and an openly omnicidal maniac (so Sephiroth-lite). Also two guys we frankly would have been happier if they'd stayed dead. We get a few shots of that city in white marble (Sharlayan), which is where the twins from earlier in the trailer came from. Almost all of your allies in the game are from that city-state, but are essentially living in exile because they refuse to uphold Sharlayan's aggressive non-intervention policy. They're perfectly keen to let the world outside fall apart, because they think they can survive on their own. Y'shtola (the cat lady), being ever the diplomat, decided to tell them personally they could suck it and the Scions (our friends) would be doing everything they could regardless of the city's decisions. Which is worth noting because that guy, is the twins *dad*. Old guy in the Flames of Truth cinematic? That's his father, and the primary inspiration the twins had. By not helping the world, this guy is setting up his own kids to die in a similar fashion. Meanwhile, the guy with red eyes is reading some hidden lore that Sharlayan keeps locked away, hinting that they clearly know more than they're telling us, and it may be part of why they are so dead set on being absolutely useless in the face of the apocalypse. This guy, being essentially our biggest fan and closest ally in-game, learns something, then worries about our well being. Then we get to the frickin' moon. The moon has been prominent in a fair few points of the game, but usually we've only ever seen antagonists up there. Now, we're going there too, so no matter what happens, this conflict between the gods of light and dark is coming to and end. At the end of the very last patch, we get a very prominent shot of the moon, so it's clear it's the central axis on which everything will tilt.
the mc returning to be the warrior of light is a reference to FF IV when the MC (Cecil), starts as a Dark Knight but then he becomes a Paladin. Also referencing "The End of the Night", which is on purpose the darkest part of the story
TL;DR: The guy in the red hood and the guy with the scythe want to create the end of the world. The white haired elf in the courtroom is the father of the twins and doesn't want to be involved in the fight. Everyone else wants to stop the end of the world. The moon will be a new area we explore.
The HW segment only gets better when you know the lyrics in both Dragonspeak and English. It's a revision of Nidhogg's Song of War from Heavensward. Now Estinien (the Dragoon in the video) named his spear Nidhogg. And there is a LOT of very interesting lore in between. the world is on fire because the world is facing an apocalyptic event.
The reason it's so story orientated is because Endwalker will be the finale to the current overarching story. Everything from ARR to Shadowbringers has been leading up to this. This does not mean it's the final expansion though, a new story will begin afterwards.
One of the reason, for using the map so much is because it's supposed to tease these locations for those who have played the game. Almost like watching a short documentary about where you'll be traveling.
As a note, when this trailer came out, no one had context for Vrtra. You don't meet him until this expansion, so just hearing the elezen's line has you like, "What did he call him?" But, otherwise, that section is totally fan service as the elezen in question is generally beloved by the community.
Yoshi-P mentioned a few times that he views FFXIV as his life's work; Endwalker just concludes the current myth arc and the next expansion will begin a new one (he likened it to a day's cycle, with ARR being a new dawn, HW being morning, SB being afternoon, ShB being evening, and END being the night before the new dawn). Edit: Spoiler-free lore recap! The Garlean Empire has been earnestly renewing their war with Eorzea and the Eorzean Alliance's allies, and have done [something] which caused all those monsters to spawn and attack. The Scions are working on means to stem the tide but some potential allies are reluctant at best and the one has openly announced it intends to sit out the apocalypse. We're going to the moon, as well as the other two places shown in the trailer AND the Garlean Empire, where we see the result of [what's been going on] and why all their architecture has taken a turn for the Geigeresque.
The elf like characters are Brother (the one in blue) and sister (the one in red) though they're said to look very much alike due to being twins, also I think they still might be under age (they were at start at FF14 but the chronology isn't quite clear as to how much time has gone since the start of the game) and aren't full grown (their father is also shown in this trailer). Also that sword is a rapier made from crystal.
“What is going on?” Well, the blond villain with the scythe is living solely for the moment he can face our boy in battle again. The villain with black hair is trying to destroy the world and everyone in it including himself. The dragon and dragoon are working together to try to save the world. The guys in the rainbow city are investigating and found out that the villains are succeeding in their plot. The red-head catboy is sneaking into locked secret archives to try to give us the upper hand in the battle. The cat girl is trying to make the twins’ father feel the slightest bit of shame for not helping them try to save the world. And the twins are helping our boy fight monsters that spawn as a result of the world ending.
The main thing for this one is it was meant to hype those who had finished the last patch of shadowbringers with snippets of possible plot points. That is why it feels lack luster until you get to read the lyrics and realize everything is coming to a climax for the Zodiarc/Hydaelyn ark. And yes the players will be heading to the moon this time.
You're right, there was a dozen story elements tying together with character's we've had with us throughout our journey, Endwalker finishes the story started in ARR and will begin a new journey, but you're right, the Endwalker trailer was very much for the fans, shots revealing new jobs, old characters returning, showing us new spots on the map opening up for us to finally see after hearing about it for three expansions, former enemies working together, even just finding out what weapon Xenos picked out to kill us with(He took a very long time to do that)
10:30 FF7 Crisis Core OST was amazing. Playing that game was when I was like "Okay, if Nobu wants, he can retire. We have found a worthy successor to take up his mantle." Ishimoto was also responsible for the sick OST for FF Type-0. Particularly that amazing opening "What Becomes of Us".
It's definitely a departure from their normal cinematics. As a player since 2.0, I can tell you that this was a love letter to players who are up to date on the current story. This is kind of like a "Best hits" remix. Because it has some cinematic value, I thought you might like to know; several of compositions from previous trailers are there (Where you see the dragon/dragoon is Heavensward trailer, and were you see the man in robes in the elevator are Stormblood), which is meant to relay a feeling of connection between the world and story that has been set up in each of those expansions, ultimately culminating in what will be Endwalker's story. I hope this gives a little more insight from a long time player perspective.
the male and female voice singer intertwine together in the trailer actually represent zodiark for male, and female singers represent hydealan as this expansion will conclude zodiarc vs hydealan arc after almost a decade. also the two 'elves' is a twin.
Correction: It's the final expansion of the current ongoing story arc in FF14, referred to as the 'Hydaelin-Zodiark saga' which has been going since 2013. The game will continue on into the future with a new story arc.
I think I speak for all my Dragoon brothers and sisters (or anyone who's a fan of our handsome Dragoon friend) when I say that we all know to expect a good time (an Estinien moment) whenever Heavensward music starts playing.
i love how, as foreign and niche as it may seem, the fact that 14 is a final fantasy game instantly establishes a level of familiarity with everyone (look, a dragoon, a gunblade, those are lalafells) and seeing the demographic scope of final fantasy always shocks and pleases me. what a wonderful franchise that has accumulated such a following.
This is something that was made for the fans. The prominent characters are all prominent allies and enemies and for each part, there are remixes of the expansion themes in the music, including some older ones and new ones as well. It's basically a mash-up of themes and characters from the span of the game thus far. And it's not the last expansion, Just the end of a major story arc. From ARR to Heavensawrd to Stormblood and finally Shadowbringers, Endwalker will complete that full arc, and the patch story after will start a new one. And there is still time to jump in and get ready for Endwalker if you wanted to see what the hype is all about!
The devs have said there is more in the pipleine for FFXIV past Endwalker, however this expansion marks the end of a lot of current plotlines that have been building since 2.0 (ARR), there is more to come.
As a player, this trailer was total hype. There's so much going on in various parts of the world and histories which can't be briefly explained, for example, in Heavensward, the dragoon was sword to slaughter dragons and now he's riding eventually a dragon king into battle working together. What! So cool.
Expansion trailers were never meant to attract new players, outside of the original launch trailer. The expansion trailers were there to hype up existing players to get them to buy the next expansion. Now if you, as a non-player, see something that attracts you to the game thats nice but really not the point of it. Which is why these trailers are usually dropped during game specific events like WoW with Blizzcon and XIV with Fanfest.
Just to clarify, Endwalker is not the final expansion of FFXIV. Endwalker is the end of the story that started in A Realm Reborn. In 6.1 the next major story arch begins.
4:54 - Since you asked, that is also an airship of the enemy Empire. Falling upon the smoldering ruins of said Empire. Being overlooked by the genocidal princeling of said Empire.
This trailer is for fans that have played the story for sure, Endwalker is ending the story arch that's been going on from the start of the game so it's all story hints and nostalgia, like they played new versions of the musical themes of all the past expansions and like the Shadowbringers trailer, it's a lot of symbolism that is actually hinting at what is going to happen in the story of the expansion. The Shadowbringers trailer for example, basically tells you everything that is going to happen with really blatant symbolism that only makes sense once you've played, so I get how it can be jarring for people for people that don't know what is happening, or the locations(like long time fans freaked out seeing certain locations for example with the map reveals). They really tailored this one to be for existing players.
Admittedly, the Endwalker trailer is heavily for the players who've already completed the current story. For us, it's super hype. Everything that happens in the trailer links back into the story and gives us little hints of things to come, and probably a plethora of red herrings to lead our imaginations astray. Bear in mind, this game has no open beta, and very rarely leaks information on upcoming patches/expansions, so we won't actually know what most of the imagery in the trailer means until November 19th (early access before the 23rd release) at least.
The thing you're comparing to the Kingdom Hearts summoning, where you see the purple go up and then go down. That's our resident npc dragoon and the shockwave being left in his wake.
You have to understand that Endwalker is literally the end of the current story that has been set up since A Realm reborn. It's the end of the chapter. It's what Endgame part 2 was to the entire Marvel cinematic universe. So it is meant to show what's going to be going on as you begin the story. Mostly because the whole map things are to shown the consequences that have been arising in the past expansion and growing now
I get why it means nothing to someone who has no knowledge of the story in the game, but this expansion is different from all the others because this is the FINALE of a story they have told over a decade of this game. The music itself is a build up of the major songs we heard play as major themes through the expansions that came before, until they all culminate into the total masterpiece - it is easily my favorite, but I have an emotional attachment to each song that is highlighted. This expansion is the big send off before the have to change everything. When they show the Lost Sharlayan capital city and the music has that soprano voice it gives me goosebumps and makes me feel weirdly emotional. It's _POWERFUL._ If you ever actually give FF a try and get at least as far as the end of Stormblood come back and watch this trailer. It will give you all the feels. They are staring at the moon as a visual direction to the audience to acknowledge that we are going to the moon.
Endwalker is not the final expansion for FFXIV, it is the final arc of the current storyline. Yoshi P intends to keep trekking with FFXIV til his dying breath.
While it's understandable it wouldn't hit as hard if one is not fully into the story up to that point. I guess we can all agree that shot of the Warrior of Light posting in front of the planet followed by the camera twisting upside down while backing up ro show the moon is BEYOND COOL
You still need to do the second expansion hehe, the order is A realm Reborn (flames of truth), Heavensward (the one you missed), Stormblood (3rd expansion) shadowbringers (EPIC EXPANSION) and then this one endwalker
Hi Chris - its not the last Expansion, the title, Endwalker, is chosen because it is the ending of the Story arc that is told since 10 years. With the first patch it will "end" the story and start a new story arc that will last the next 10? years. Cheers from germany :)
By the way, at 2:36, the protagonist has exactly the same silhouette as the main villains of the game, who wear black robes with hoods. It's a very deliberate image as in the last expansion we learned that their motives are not so different from the protagonists, and they are the heroes of their own people just as the protagonists are of their own.
I respect you for being honest and not doing fake enthusiasm. I hate when reactors pretend everything is their favorite thing ever and scream at every little thing. As others have said this trailer was really aimed at the players and is full of visual and musical references and foreshadowing. Even so for me as a player Shadowbringers trailer stands head and shoulders above this one. This one is still nice but it doesn't hit as hard, and it has some minor GG issues that I would bet is due to the difficulties of covid making work and collaboration more difficult. This trailer does a great job of introducing the final chapter of this story to the players and the musical score is an absolute masterpiece for the players who are in the know about the lore and the story... but it does not have anywhere near the hype factor of previous trailers.
The way FFXIV does trailers it really needs context to make them amazing. The Heavensward, Shadowbringers and Endwalker trailers do requiere the setup fron the ending of the expansion to understand the little details that make them outstanding. Footfalls (the song for Endwalker) Is not really meant to fit that hard with the visuals since it takes all the songs from previous trailers and unites them in a song that makes it a representation of the state of the world right before the expansion. Endwalker Is the ending of the story the began telling with A Realm Reborn (speciffically in the patches). Endwalker was set up to be an ending. The Ff14 trailes are meant to be seen in context. I love this trailer so much because of the way it refferences what has happened and sets up the ending of the Hydaelyn va Zodiark saga. Back before we played Endwalker we we're left on such a savage clifhanger and such an apocaliptic outlook that this trailer just showee Is what we were visiting because every event in the expansion was a critical moment. While I do think that Shadowbringers Is the overall best trailer for FFXIV Endwalker Is my favourite because it feels like a love letter from the developer and a thank you for the support and for allowing them to create that art piece from the success of the relaunch of the game in 2013.
Why have you not played Final Fantasy XIV yet? Anyways, a very focused trailer on players of FFXIV, which makes sense as you cannot even access Endwalker until after you finish the current game content. And also the servers are struggling bad under the strain of all the current players already. Shows one of the main villains we've been following as a new class; which honestly I do not see him ever dropping his Samurai class for, shows our allies progression, shows the war that's been raging the past two expansions escalating as well as what looks like an umbral calamity occurring similar to a certain calamity mentioned at the end of Shadowbringers, shows a new city HUB and drops numerous interesting hints on where things are going.
As for someone who does not know the story, I understand your confusion. But for us who play this game for almost 10 years ( in my case) it makes sense. The song if you disect it, tells those 10 years in a very condensed way. I appreciate your honest critique though, cause it´s voiced in a very constructive and neutral way, which is a rare personality trate where you have to be commended on. Thx
To be noted, FFXIV Endwalker have the elements from FFIV (FF4) with it's Moon and the hero shown as Paladin. If you watch the previos expansion, FFXIV Shadowbringer, the hero become Dark Knight. Fun Fact, In FFIV (FF4), Cecil Harvey, the main protagonist, was a Dark Knight at the beginning, but lot of things happen he finally transforms into a Paladin, and everything then leads him to the Moon where the Lunarians lives (not a story spoiler, so don't worry). And yes, as Yoshi P explain this already, he says the moon in FFXIV Endwalker has air, and normal gravity, and atmosphere. Yup, exactly just like the moon in FFIV (FF4). Well, one thing, i don't feel the trailer was off or anything, as the expansions story are all connected. So it is normal if it makes you clueless as you didn't know the stories behind. Anyway, Y'sthola the girl aka "Cool Chick Talking" are one of the important characters in FFXIV stories. There is very deep stories in FFXIV. SO? One solution. Play the game, know the story. LOL P.S : FFXIV Endwalker is not the final expansion, it is the ending of "THAT" story , but it is not the end of FFXIV. Yoshi P already explained this. haha (i am sorry if my english might a bit rough, it is not my first language)
To be accurate, this is NOT the final FFXIV Expansion. It's the finale to the current story arc that has been going on since A Realm Reborn. There will be more Expansions, but they will focus on new stories.
yes they are brother and sister, twins to be exact that's why they look alike. And the scene with the summoning you meant was probably FF9 when the big tree with the city cleyra on top was destroyed. And the song is really melodramatic which fits the point of the story where the world(s) are at stake imho.
So yes if you watch this as a stand alone trailer… everything is lost upon you… if you watch this as a FF player, or fan of the series, you’ll see it for what it was. A love letter. They brought almost every major character back, the music was spliced and remixed and included the key songs from each expansion, and everyone’s gripe about the moon? Final fantasy 4 took place on the moo. -_-‘ it’s not something new and outlandish, it’s established in the lore. And they said it will make sense in this story as well once we are there.
Yeah, every part skipped through that you didn't like was like a massive lore nuke one after another, even the zoom out of the conference room, the spiral that the people sat in was a MAJOR lore hint/tease. To those who don't pay attention to lore or hadn't played, it definitely wont make any sense but to those who have it made us stand up and scream lol
I think the other trailers were more about getting new players in; this one is a love letter to people that have kept with it the whole time. So, like, I get that it's hard to judge that; it's not exactly a trailer made for you, it's made for me. Which, I'm assuming was a conscious choice. So because it's a love letter to me, man, I'm melting so much. But also, I wanted to tell you I appreciate your view and approach.
While I felt it did not reach the heights of flames of truth or shadowbringers I can't wait to react to another FF trailer soon!
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Bro take it easy on steroids, my gosh
This entire trailer is more or less fan service to the playerbase, taking information, music and themes from all all the expansion's and base game.
It holds a lot more power and value to those who have experienced the game first hand until now, while still looking cool for new potential players.
you seem to be missinformed, the info we currently have is that Endwalker will be the end of the Hydalin VS Zodiac Arc, of everything weve experienced so far but it was allready stated that this wont be the end, just the beginning of a new story with new enemys afterwards
Workout routine plz?
Its not the last expansion, its the end of current story arc but not the game!
For non-players, watching this, will be like watching the Avengers Endgame trailer without watching any of the previous marvel movies
Right?
This is the perfect description
@Ethan Haesloop You are in for a treat! Good luck and... prepare to cry.
@Ethan Haesloop make sure to have at least 7 tissue boxes on hand xD
@Ethan Haesloop *sips tea* oh you think that's the end of 14 taking your tears? 83 a little thing 14 does incredibly well: it reminds you that life is not fair, and that there are things you cannot control. 8'3 tho congrats getting through the Vault :3
This trailer was 100% made for people who actually played the whole game.
Even the music in it.
Like LoL trailers. The newer ones makes only sense, when you're a lore lover. xD
The fact that the main themes of each expansions are in it is amazing.
It's not the FINAL expansion. It is the last containing the Zodiark& Hydaelyn Ark there will be more expansion afterwards Chris ^-^
This! ^
It's very important to note the difference between "Final" and "Latest".
I have love journey ffxiv i kinda hope they move toward FF17 mmo or somthing then keep doing more expansions. This expansion will end story of this world i cant imagine what the after this one should be about. Move to new world with the scion and with new story.
I suppose he mistook the "final", as it is the final version of the trailer, but not the final expansion
@@GhungaTheGreat 6.0 is the end of the hydelyn/zodiac arc 6.1 will get us to something new. And there are a bunch of options. We still don't know all that much about the Allagan empire, were did midgardsomer and omega come from, what about the other paralel worlds and the world map still has a lot of empty spots
@@GhungaTheGreat FFXVI is in the works. XIV continuing to pump out expansions doesn't mean we wont get more mainline titles.
This trailer is 100% aimed for the player base lol.
Yep. What most don't realize is that this is the final "chapter" in the story that was started in 2.0... multi-year/expansion story arc. The new story arc starts in 6.01. Which that probable will go until 9.0 or even 10.0. So, yes, the final chapter trailer would be something that would be more geared towards the ones foloowing the story so far. As others stated it's like watching trailer for End Game and not seen any of the 20+ movies setting End Game up.
from player's perspective? yes totally agree here
And it makes sense that the trailer is aimed at the player base rather than a wider audience because you won't even be able to access Endwalker content until you complete the rest of the game first. So why even bother trying to appeal to a new audience when they won't even be able to access this stuff until they beat there rest of the game. That being said, I was. blown away enough by this trailer that I decided to start playing the game.
@@darkanddandy6898 the whole point of a trailer is to appeal to the masses and get people, new and old, interested. I really don’t like what they did with this cinematic which is why it’s my least favorite out of all of them. It just doesn’t have the hype factor as the others, the parts I guess are good is the hw and stormblood section of this trailer
@@johnnysans1618 it depends on the context. For base game, I agree with you. For expansion? Nah.
This trailer truly FEELS like the culmination of 8 years of story building. The music in this is a perfect echo of our journey, a medley taking the themes from each previous expansion.
Dragons and dragoons? Heavensward theme.
Map on fire and the faces of old adversaries? Stormblood.
Scions doing their thing? Torn from the Heavens.
The warrior fighting a familiar nightmare monster? Shadowbringers.
It's all there and yes, this is a trailer that has the distinct FEEL of a final chapter coming to a close, a final crescendo to this journey.
As a veteran, I can say that while I agree the trailer isn't as much of an enticing, thrilling spectacle as the Shadowbringers one, Endwalker is like a love letter to our story so far and so much more personal as a result. It feels to me more like the final leap off the cliff we've been climbing towards all this time and I cannot wait to fall and see where I land.
Whats even more gut-wrenching is the recently released knowledge that we could've lost the beloved composer of these intrinsic songs to cancer, Masayoshi Soken. And by his own words, it was his love for the game and appreciation from us the players that kept him WORKING FROM HIS HOSPITAL BED for 8 months to release the single most impactful boss fight music and this masterpiece of a musical journey.
We love you Soken, and we're glad you're kicking cancer's butt!!
10-11 years actually. It goes all the way back to 1.0. Just because 1.0 failed, the story wasn't tossed out, which is why ARR was 2.0. Despite being a new game it continued the story.
You can hear the Shadowbringer's "one brings shadow, one brings the light.." lyrics when Graha says his stuff. :D
The music is a compilation/mashup of all the previous expensions main themes, that is why it is what it is.
I dunno if it's that confusing, though.
"The fabric of the star had begun to fray, its land rent by tooth and claw" = Everything's falling apart & monsters are tearing apart the land, which is emphasized by the map showing everywhere is literally on fire.
"As the chaos spread, the star seemed doomed to unravel (everything totally falling apart everywhere). Yet still there were those who stood in defiance of that fate" = we see how there's an invasion of monsters but this dragoon & dragon are still fighting, emphasized by the dragoon "The hour has come, Vritra. It's all or nothing." (For us players, we know the dragoon, but Vritra? We've never seen this dragon whatsoever. Those of us who have dug enough know she's one of the first brood of dragons born on the planet, but that's about it).
We see the villains, then cut to two other characters. "It is as we feared. The respite afforded this land was but fleeting. The end draws nigh." = Again emphasizing this is essentially the apocalypse. Also notice that when it zooms out, that location isn't on fire where everything else is? Again, "respite afforded this land was but fleeting" means it's about to be consumed as well.
Regarding that location, we know nothing about it either. We've never been there. All we know is what we're seeing in this trailer. We know a little vaguely from game stuff, like outfits with the name attached, and what they showed us at the Fan Fest after this trailer debuted, but going into it, we know nothing about that other than what I'm laying out here, gleamed entirely from the trailer alone.
Then we cut to the next city, the map also shows it's not on flames. We go through libraries, then deep, then a locked door indicated there's knowledge that's been hidden away and locked up. "This star still has secrets to tell." = there's some revelation this character has found. Again, we've never been here in the game. We do know that character, but the library and city? We've not been here in-game before. We've only heard about it and that can largely be boiled down to "city of scholars who are neutral to politics of other nations."
Final cut within the city: "So, Sharlayan would keep its council while the world is lost to ruin?" "It would, come what may, we shall live on. We must." sets up a conflict that this clearly well established culture could help but are choosing not to.
"Past the far edge of fate, between blades dark and light, tolling the coming of the end." - cryptic "light vs dark" stuff, but c'mon that's fairly standard trailer cryptic teasing stuff!
Without actually knowing more about the story itself, the trailer is still telling a LOT of the story set up visually and with minimal words.
If you've played the game, you know all the details, but the basic premise is all there in the trailer.
For the music, the lyrics are actually really interesting and they love to tease what the true meaning is of the song. Speculation abounds. You should check out some of Alex Makoula's videos - he does the same thing you do, but analyzing the music.
As others have said, there are themes from all the previous expansion interwoven into the music.
Regarding the map - Lord of the Rings trilogy used sweeping motions over the map to demonstrate distance and locations. ;)
perfect description right here. when i heard the HW music i lost my mind (i'm a main dragoon and Estinien is one of my fave characters xD) and getting to finally meet another of the first brood is a treat. Then Fandaniel...this just gives me a second chance to punch his very punchable face 8D and apparently G'raha is a sneak because that room is 100% locked with chains and a very large lock lol and Y'shtola is tired of taking crap.
i think what interests me is that, when it transitions between Zenos and Meteor (the WoL) it's like we FELT him watching almost. maybe it's in reaction to the big worm from Amarout, but it's still interesting to think about :3c i am so hyped for this expansion!
One little detail you missed: "Past the Far Edge of Fate" is a callback to the title of Patch 3.5 of Heavensward.
@@proy3 Yeah, didn't seem too relevant to the analysis, but indeed it is!
Underrated comment right here. Excellently put.
Even I who never played ff14 understood the main gist of this trailer
The trailer was specifically designed for those who actually have played up to a certain point (considered a treat for the players). The map on fire is showing the destruction of the world as we know it. Regarding the two twin elves, the girl is a Red Mage. Red Mages can heal themselves (that's why she says she can take care of herself). I agree, this was not the best trailer, cause it did not tell a story for the "non-player", but to the player...it's epic
Red mages need their focus, which was well away from her alongside her sword. It's not that she can take care of herself as a red mage, it's that Alisae is roegadyn sized sass fit into a small elezen sized body. ;)
@@ninjafoxgamesgeekery okie but that last sentence had me roflmao. XD It's so true!
@@ninjafoxgamesgeekery She still annoys the beegezus out of me after all these years.
i watched this trailer as a non player at the time, i was so freaking hyped watching it, it looked so cool. i didn't know who any of the people were, but i was so hyped for it! Still am, and it's even cooler now that i actually know who some of the characters are!!!!! :D
@@ninjafoxgamesgeekery That last sentence, I love it!!!!
I'm perfectly alright with this trailer being for the player base rather than non players. It is the end of an epic story that was earned through years of storytelling. The music also does fit and is absolutely amazing if you have journeyed through the story. It's really like a love letter to FFXIV fans!
I understand you Chris because in fact, this trailer is full a references, as much in the visual as the music.
This trailer rassemble many things and especially in his theme, there's a lot of part that, if you listen ell, you notice some short part of other expansion's main theme as for example the Eorzean Lyrics at the Dragoon's arrival.
As you said, there's a lot of characters which are doing or saying things that you don't really understand, it is normal because, in fact, this expansion will create a conclusion of many part of the game's story, what the characters are making is showing that the things are moving and getting closer to an End, searching for answers of questions that are asked in game.
So, as you say, for a no player it's a bit strange, even meaningless I think, so not surprised that it is not your favourite trailer, largely understandable
Those lyrics weren't Eorzean just FYI. That's the dragon language.
It is definitely meant for the people who have played the game, yeah. And as someone who has played the game, this is by far my favorite trailer. I keep finding myself watching it from time to time when I just want to feel some hype. And the few final lines from Emet with the "Past the far edge of fate, ring blades dark and light, towing the coming of the end" gives me mad chills.
if u don't watch it once a week what are you doing? 8D lol jk the music in this trailer is phenomenal. It feels like Soken's triumphant return, and it is
It's not the final expansion. It's that this expansion is wrapping up the main story that has started since the beginning.
This trailer is not for you hehe tis for the people that been playing the game and understand each of those moments and references =)
I get what you mean. It's true as compared to the previous expansions the trailers are more of setting up a "new" story, so it felt like you don not need to know what happened previously. Whereas Endwalker is more of setting up the conclusion, so you do need to know what had been going on due to how the scenes jump from one area to another.
This is FFXIV's technique each trailer will give you little hints and snippets of the story. It's not for people outside of the player base, because they already know the market for their audience considering they have more then 16million+ players. It's really not needed for them to make a trailer for "new" people that have no clue what this game is suppose to be about.
Each trailer you'll notice will always feature the same characters, because each trailer ties together, if you watch all of them together its like a piece of a puzzle being put together. It's a shame that new people or people who've never heard of FFXIV won't understand, but lmao thats what the developers intended to be its not meant to be for anyone besides their fans.
the amount of hype i felt when watching it during Fanfest was nothing short of spectacular. i had just beaten the first half of 5.5 and hoooooo boi. i have never been more excited for an ending. This is going to be spectacular.
I played FFXIV, and played all through the story. Endwalker hit me hard. My emotional rollercoaster didn't stop till the end. Still now, I go to certain zones and I get super emotional cause of the experiences of the amazing story.
We players prolly know what " certain zone" you are talking about^^ Let me make a wilg guess and say that certain zone has a very particular song playing in the background, getting gradually louder and has me in tears every time I hear it. Does that sound about right?
@@ShindoWonderland Yep. Thats the one
This expansion is supposed to be the culmination of everything in the game since it's the ending of the current story arc, with the new story starting in the first patch. The cinematic also speeds along different scenes as it's showing of and playing the music from every expansion, then showing the new stuff, it's a lot to do in one cinematic. But in the end it was made for fans in mind, for people who have experienced the entire story so far, we know all these characters, some of them since the start of the game.
As other people have said. its kinda like watching the Trailer for the Avengers EndGame when you havent seen Avengers Infinity War. Because this trailer follows the events directly after 5.5 in the game which builds up to this. The trailer is designed in a way to think the viewer knows what the current events are in game, and builds off that to gives sneak peeks at whats to come rather than in depth combat. And the shoots exploring the city is to show off what the players will see in the new Zones and what to expect.
This isn’t the final expansion, but the trailer you are watching is the final trailer for Endwalker, since the first one came out a few months back. This just reveals a bit more of the story that’s going to be coming up, with minor changes from the first one.
It's the final expansion in this current story. The entire Zodiark/Hydaelyn arc is wrapping up with Endwalker. That's where his confusion came from.
@@Zakading I’m aware of the story being told in the trailer, I was trying to come off like I was clowning on him for not knowing.
@@Zakading Yoshi P knows it will confuse people, he has stated specifically that it isnt the end of the game. its just the end of the first major plot line, the Zodi-Arc. of course though this hinges on watching/reading interviews he has had and watching the live letters.
Really spot on with everything. The other trailers were selling the product to people in general. This one is a love letter to the veterans, down to the song. Which is very well appreciated for the final chapter of our story. The next trailer after this will definitely go back to form since it will be selling a new chapter of a brand new story.
Like a lot of people have mentioned, this trailer is definitely made for players that knows about the current events of the game & read the story, but I’d like to add that the trailer also introduces two new jobs (classes) which increases the hype and excitement for this trailer. I personally was overjoyed when I saw that they are finally adding a new healer, Sage (after 6 yrs of the previous healer release). The dps job is also very cool (Reaper)
This is not the final expansion in general, it just finishes the story arc from 1.0 to now (Patch 6.0), the next expansion will start a new Story Ark starting from Patch 6.1 or so. Just clarifying that :)
Story of an expansion usually ends at x.3 while x.4 and so on is prelude to the next expansion
Fighting nidhog is done at 3.3, seat of sacrifice is at 5.3. I dont rmb abt stormblood tho
@@noname76787 4.3 was the wrap up for stormblood as well. *.0 is a basic story, *.1-*.3 is the epilogue to tie up loose ends, *.4-*.5 are to tease new plots and lead up to the next expansion. 6.0 will be different in the sense that it ends the "Zodi-arc" completely at the end of 6.0 and *.1-*.5 will all be setting up the next big major plotline.
I felt like this was less of him reacting and more of him just flexing his muscles and trying to show off his body
yeah, and he has no clue how ridiculous he looks
Jojo posing lol
@@XXXmarkysanXXX i dont find that ridiculous. If he worked hard for that body then he has every right to show it in whatever way he wants.
That scene with the dragon and dragoon you were so stunned by, that "summoning" effect you were talking about was the DRG ultimate ability called Stardiver.
I understand how this felt to you. When I watched it before getting through the current story it felt disjointed and narratively broken. After I have the context though it feels like a many plot threads being pulled towards each other like a mass collapsing in on itself which is exactly what is as Endwalker is the end of a multi year world spanning story.
8:34 - I agree. It’s definitely tailored to those who have gone through the story as it’s the final arch that started with A Realm Reborn.
Well Chris, I understand your predicament with the way this trailer was written and animated. I guess it's time to start FFXIV? ;)
This expansion is the resolution of a storyline that's been on-going for roughly 8 years, ever since the game's reboot and is therefore laden with plot, making it very difficult for an outsider to understand what's happening (as you obv. noticed.) The shortest summary I can provide is the world is literally going to hell in a handbasket and the heroes pictured are doing everything to forestall/combat it. The hooded Asian man is an antagonist, as is the blonde-haired man with the scythe who was actually in the start of the ShB trailer (the man with the broken helmet.) Notably all sections of the trailer are a throwback to the previous expansions including the cinematics, the characters involved in those scenes (note both a dragon and dragoon were pictured in HW's part, fighting together rather than on opposite sides) and the music. (In the third part- "Storm of blood, born from blood of our fallen brothers.") Even the part showing the city by the water is reminiscent of ShB's trailer when it transitioned to the crystal tower. Endwalker's trailer is 100% a review of everything that's happened to remind the player of everything they've overcome. It is absolutely understandable if this didn't give you quite the hype ShB's trailer did.
edit: additional note, the twins are some of the very first npcs you ever meet in game (second and third iirc). they were with you when you started your journey and are here with you as you "finish" it, so their part in the trailer, as well as the timing of their appearance, is a throwback to the very start of everything as well.
So ripped you've blown the collar right off your shirt man.
Though I do like the trailer, the one from Shadowbringers is probably my favorite. That scene towards the end as the warrior of light changes to dark knight and the song just ramping up gives me chills all the time.
They can't top shadowbringers. Endwalker didn't top it so nothing else might since endwalker bad a lot more potential to be badass. I had an idea of all the past villains/friends coming to help the Wol in a animation perspective, not really being there but we see them anyway but instead we just got the walk to ultima thule with their voices. Does make it badass sad but not badass epic that the final fight should have been. And meteon is the most garbage final boss i ever seen. I can write a fanfiction better than that garbage...
@@ZincZXzinx I think you should practice writing your sentences more before you claim yourself able to write something better...
„My favorite FF song is Price of Freedom“
Man why u gotta do me like that.. now i gotta listen to it again and cry for another decade
Final note, it’s not the last expansion, just the final part of the first arc
So unlike previous expansion trailers, can't really do a ton of explaining the lore and what's happening here. Mostly because this trailers is essentially just setting the stage, as opposed to building upon the story.
The track being played is called "Forging Ahead", and it actually is its own track composed of snippets of the other trailer songs from ARR, Heavensward, Stormblood, and Shadowbringers. You probably caught the "storm of blood, born from blood" section. That's a callback to the expansion called, shockingly, "Stormblood". Pay attention to the lyrics though, if you're interested in the story. They almost always foreshadow things in the songs.
Story wise, the trailer is showing an apocalypse tier event coming about, that's why the map is on fire, and the heroes from the previous expansions are at their limits just to hold on. Most of these heroes being people we either directly saved, or recruited into our fold. So there's a lot of personal story between us as player and these characters. Even the ones who are decidedly non-heroic are joining us to take on this one. (Shown by the dragon and dragoon, who aren't in our immediate friend-group, but are heroes on their own right.)
The "storm of blood, born from blood" section actually cuts in showing two characters that were introduced in that expansion. The guy in the chair with the scythe was the primary antagonist of that expansion, and an openly omnicidal maniac (so Sephiroth-lite). Also two guys we frankly would have been happier if they'd stayed dead.
We get a few shots of that city in white marble (Sharlayan), which is where the twins from earlier in the trailer came from. Almost all of your allies in the game are from that city-state, but are essentially living in exile because they refuse to uphold Sharlayan's aggressive non-intervention policy. They're perfectly keen to let the world outside fall apart, because they think they can survive on their own. Y'shtola (the cat lady), being ever the diplomat, decided to tell them personally they could suck it and the Scions (our friends) would be doing everything they could regardless of the city's decisions. Which is worth noting because that guy, is the twins *dad*. Old guy in the Flames of Truth cinematic? That's his father, and the primary inspiration the twins had. By not helping the world, this guy is setting up his own kids to die in a similar fashion.
Meanwhile, the guy with red eyes is reading some hidden lore that Sharlayan keeps locked away, hinting that they clearly know more than they're telling us, and it may be part of why they are so dead set on being absolutely useless in the face of the apocalypse. This guy, being essentially our biggest fan and closest ally in-game, learns something, then worries about our well being.
Then we get to the frickin' moon. The moon has been prominent in a fair few points of the game, but usually we've only ever seen antagonists up there. Now, we're going there too, so no matter what happens, this conflict between the gods of light and dark is coming to and end. At the end of the very last patch, we get a very prominent shot of the moon, so it's clear it's the central axis on which everything will tilt.
the mc returning to be the warrior of light is a reference to FF IV when the MC (Cecil), starts as a Dark Knight but then he becomes a Paladin. Also referencing "The End of the Night", which is on purpose the darkest part of the story
TL;DR: The guy in the red hood and the guy with the scythe want to create the end of the world. The white haired elf in the courtroom is the father of the twins and doesn't want to be involved in the fight. Everyone else wants to stop the end of the world. The moon will be a new area we explore.
Urianger: The end draws near...
Chris a moment latter: Why the map is on fire...
The HW segment only gets better when you know the lyrics in both Dragonspeak and English.
It's a revision of Nidhogg's Song of War from Heavensward. Now Estinien (the Dragoon in the video) named his spear Nidhogg. And there is a LOT of very interesting lore in between.
the world is on fire because the world is facing an apocalyptic event.
The reason it's so story orientated is because Endwalker will be the finale to the current overarching story. Everything from ARR to Shadowbringers has been leading up to this. This does not mean it's the final expansion though, a new story will begin afterwards.
One of the reason, for using the map so much is because it's supposed to tease these locations for those who have played the game. Almost like watching a short documentary about where you'll be traveling.
As a note, when this trailer came out, no one had context for Vrtra. You don't meet him until this expansion, so just hearing the elezen's line has you like, "What did he call him?" But, otherwise, that section is totally fan service as the elezen in question is generally beloved by the community.
If you know what has happened up to this point you feel every part of the trailer. The music is so good in the context of what is going on also
Endwalker is NOT the last expansion of ffxiv. Its just the end of the hydaelyn and zodiark storyline.
Yoshi-P mentioned a few times that he views FFXIV as his life's work; Endwalker just concludes the current myth arc and the next expansion will begin a new one (he likened it to a day's cycle, with ARR being a new dawn, HW being morning, SB being afternoon, ShB being evening, and END being the night before the new dawn).
Edit: Spoiler-free lore recap! The Garlean Empire has been earnestly renewing their war with Eorzea and the Eorzean Alliance's allies, and have done [something] which caused all those monsters to spawn and attack. The Scions are working on means to stem the tide but some potential allies are reluctant at best and the one has openly announced it intends to sit out the apocalypse. We're going to the moon, as well as the other two places shown in the trailer AND the Garlean Empire, where we see the result of [what's been going on] and why all their architecture has taken a turn for the Geigeresque.
Glad I'm not the only one who noticed.
Almost ALL the Mhachi architecture fits into that. Especially the Void Ark itself.
The elf like characters are Brother (the one in blue) and sister (the one in red) though they're said to look very much alike due to being twins, also I think they still might be under age (they were at start at FF14 but the chronology isn't quite clear as to how much time has gone since the start of the game) and aren't full grown (their father is also shown in this trailer). Also that sword is a rapier made from crystal.
“What is going on?”
Well, the blond villain with the scythe is living solely for the moment he can face our boy in battle again.
The villain with black hair is trying to destroy the world and everyone in it including himself.
The dragon and dragoon are working together to try to save the world.
The guys in the rainbow city are investigating and found out that the villains are succeeding in their plot.
The red-head catboy is sneaking into locked secret archives to try to give us the upper hand in the battle.
The cat girl is trying to make the twins’ father feel the slightest bit of shame for not helping them try to save the world.
And the twins are helping our boy fight monsters that spawn as a result of the world ending.
The main thing for this one is it was meant to hype those who had finished the last patch of shadowbringers with snippets of possible plot points. That is why it feels lack luster until you get to read the lyrics and realize everything is coming to a climax for the Zodiarc/Hydaelyn ark. And yes the players will be heading to the moon this time.
If I claimed that I wasn't waiting anxiously for this one, I'd be a filthy liar.
You're right, there was a dozen story elements tying together with character's we've had with us throughout our journey, Endwalker finishes the story started in ARR and will begin a new journey, but you're right, the Endwalker trailer was very much for the fans, shots revealing new jobs, old characters returning, showing us new spots on the map opening up for us to finally see after hearing about it for three expansions, former enemies working together, even just finding out what weapon Xenos picked out to kill us with(He took a very long time to do that)
CHRIS it's TOTALY WORTH THE TRY
10:30 FF7 Crisis Core OST was amazing. Playing that game was when I was like "Okay, if Nobu wants, he can retire. We have found a worthy successor to take up his mantle." Ishimoto was also responsible for the sick OST for FF Type-0. Particularly that amazing opening "What Becomes of Us".
It's definitely a departure from their normal cinematics. As a player since 2.0, I can tell you that this was a love letter to players who are up to date on the current story. This is kind of like a "Best hits" remix. Because it has some cinematic value, I thought you might like to know; several of compositions from previous trailers are there (Where you see the dragon/dragoon is Heavensward trailer, and were you see the man in robes in the elevator are Stormblood), which is meant to relay a feeling of connection between the world and story that has been set up in each of those expansions, ultimately culminating in what will be Endwalker's story. I hope this gives a little more insight from a long time player perspective.
the male and female voice singer intertwine together in the trailer actually represent zodiark for male, and female singers represent hydealan as this expansion will conclude zodiarc vs hydealan arc after almost a decade.
also the two 'elves' is a twin.
“I’ve been waiting for this” - A certain White Haired Boxer.
Getting so hyped up you take a fighting stance with the Dragoon. Now that’s getting stuck in with the trailer! 😆
For your information, the bgm's behind each scene is pretty much like the bgm for each expansions it portrays.
Correction: It's the final expansion of the current ongoing story arc in FF14, referred to as the 'Hydaelin-Zodiark saga' which has been going since 2013. The game will continue on into the future with a new story arc.
I think I speak for all my Dragoon brothers and sisters (or anyone who's a fan of our handsome Dragoon friend) when I say that we all know to expect a good time (an Estinien moment) whenever Heavensward music starts playing.
i love how, as foreign and niche as it may seem, the fact that 14 is a final fantasy game instantly establishes a level of familiarity with everyone (look, a dragoon, a gunblade, those are lalafells) and seeing the demographic scope of final fantasy always shocks and pleases me. what a wonderful franchise that has accumulated such a following.
About the map showing: well this is a game not a movie :) But i understand your point.
This is something that was made for the fans. The prominent characters are all prominent allies and enemies and for each part, there are remixes of the expansion themes in the music, including some older ones and new ones as well. It's basically a mash-up of themes and characters from the span of the game thus far.
And it's not the last expansion, Just the end of a major story arc. From ARR to Heavensawrd to Stormblood and finally Shadowbringers, Endwalker will complete that full arc, and the patch story after will start a new one. And there is still time to jump in and get ready for Endwalker if you wanted to see what the hype is all about!
The devs have said there is more in the pipleine for FFXIV past Endwalker, however this expansion marks the end of a lot of current plotlines that have been building since 2.0 (ARR), there is more to come.
Damn. This guy really beefed up. Look at those vascular biceps!
As a player, this trailer was total hype. There's so much going on in various parts of the world and histories which can't be briefly explained, for example, in Heavensward, the dragoon was sword to slaughter dragons and now he's riding eventually a dragon king into battle working together. What! So cool.
Expansion trailers were never meant to attract new players, outside of the original launch trailer. The expansion trailers were there to hype up existing players to get them to buy the next expansion. Now if you, as a non-player, see something that attracts you to the game thats nice but really not the point of it. Which is why these trailers are usually dropped during game specific events like WoW with Blizzcon and XIV with Fanfest.
Just to clarify, Endwalker is not the final expansion of FFXIV. Endwalker is the end of the story that started in A Realm Reborn. In 6.1 the next major story arch begins.
4:54 - Since you asked, that is also an airship of the enemy Empire. Falling upon the smoldering ruins of said Empire. Being overlooked by the genocidal princeling of said Empire.
This trailer is for fans that have played the story for sure, Endwalker is ending the story arch that's been going on from the start of the game so it's all story hints and nostalgia, like they played new versions of the musical themes of all the past expansions and like the Shadowbringers trailer, it's a lot of symbolism that is actually hinting at what is going to happen in the story of the expansion. The Shadowbringers trailer for example, basically tells you everything that is going to happen with really blatant symbolism that only makes sense once you've played, so I get how it can be jarring for people for people that don't know what is happening, or the locations(like long time fans freaked out seeing certain locations for example with the map reveals). They really tailored this one to be for existing players.
Dude...You always look like either the main Protagonist or Chad Villain. Glad you've kept healthy during quarantine! Great vid
It’s crazy how they weave in all the previous expansions into the trailer.
Admittedly, the Endwalker trailer is heavily for the players who've already completed the current story. For us, it's super hype. Everything that happens in the trailer links back into the story and gives us little hints of things to come, and probably a plethora of red herrings to lead our imaginations astray. Bear in mind, this game has no open beta, and very rarely leaks information on upcoming patches/expansions, so we won't actually know what most of the imagery in the trailer means until November 19th (early access before the 23rd release) at least.
"It's like in Game of Thrones - Let's not talk about the ending"
I thought Season 4 ended pretty well.
The thing you're comparing to the Kingdom Hearts summoning, where you see the purple go up and then go down. That's our resident npc dragoon and the shockwave being left in his wake.
You have to understand that Endwalker is literally the end of the current story that has been set up since A Realm reborn. It's the end of the chapter. It's what Endgame part 2 was to the entire Marvel cinematic universe. So it is meant to show what's going to be going on as you begin the story. Mostly because the whole map things are to shown the consequences that have been arising in the past expansion and growing now
I get why it means nothing to someone who has no knowledge of the story in the game, but this expansion is different from all the others because this is the FINALE of a story they have told over a decade of this game. The music itself is a build up of the major songs we heard play as major themes through the expansions that came before, until they all culminate into the total masterpiece - it is easily my favorite, but I have an emotional attachment to each song that is highlighted.
This expansion is the big send off before the have to change everything. When they show the Lost Sharlayan capital city and the music has that soprano voice it gives me goosebumps and makes me feel weirdly emotional. It's _POWERFUL._
If you ever actually give FF a try and get at least as far as the end of Stormblood come back and watch this trailer. It will give you all the feels.
They are staring at the moon as a visual direction to the audience to acknowledge that we are going to the moon.
Endwalker is not the final expansion for FFXIV, it is the final arc of the current storyline. Yoshi P intends to keep trekking with FFXIV til his dying breath.
This is not the last Expansion of the game, it is just the final chaper of the Hydaelyn vs Zodiark story arc.
While it's understandable it wouldn't hit as hard if one is not fully into the story up to that point. I guess we can all agree that shot of the Warrior of Light posting in front of the planet followed by the camera twisting upside down while backing up ro show the moon is BEYOND COOL
You still need to do the second expansion hehe, the order is A realm Reborn (flames of truth), Heavensward (the one you missed), Stormblood (3rd expansion) shadowbringers (EPIC EXPANSION) and then this one endwalker
Hi Chris - its not the last Expansion, the title, Endwalker, is chosen because it is the ending of the Story arc that is told since 10 years. With the first patch it will "end" the story and start a new story arc that will last the next 10? years. Cheers from germany :)
'I know that guy, and that guy. I like that guy... with the gunblade.'
Yeaaaaaaaaah that's Thancred and he's kind of a dinkus.
The music is this was scattered, because it was remixes of the previous themes
So, this isn't the final expansion for 14. It's the conclusion of Hyd/Zodi. We're going to get another story after them
By the way, at 2:36, the protagonist has exactly the same silhouette as the main villains of the game, who wear black robes with hoods. It's a very deliberate image as in the last expansion we learned that their motives are not so different from the protagonists, and they are the heroes of their own people just as the protagonists are of their own.
Hey yo Chris Redfield, you can take a break from arm day every once in a while.
(I'm only joking, lookin' good. keep it up!)
I respect you for being honest and not doing fake enthusiasm. I hate when reactors pretend everything is their favorite thing ever and scream at every little thing. As others have said this trailer was really aimed at the players and is full of visual and musical references and foreshadowing. Even so for me as a player Shadowbringers trailer stands head and shoulders above this one. This one is still nice but it doesn't hit as hard, and it has some minor GG issues that I would bet is due to the difficulties of covid making work and collaboration more difficult.
This trailer does a great job of introducing the final chapter of this story to the players and the musical score is an absolute masterpiece for the players who are in the know about the lore and the story... but it does not have anywhere near the hype factor of previous trailers.
I swear this guy pumps his arms before recording
The way FFXIV does trailers it really needs context to make them amazing. The Heavensward, Shadowbringers and Endwalker trailers do requiere the setup fron the ending of the expansion to understand the little details that make them outstanding. Footfalls (the song for Endwalker) Is not really meant to fit that hard with the visuals since it takes all the songs from previous trailers and unites them in a song that makes it a representation of the state of the world right before the expansion. Endwalker Is the ending of the story the began telling with A Realm Reborn (speciffically in the patches). Endwalker was set up to be an ending. The Ff14 trailes are meant to be seen in context. I love this trailer so much because of the way it refferences what has happened and sets up the ending of the Hydaelyn va Zodiark saga. Back before we played Endwalker we we're left on such a savage clifhanger and such an apocaliptic outlook that this trailer just showee Is what we were visiting because every event in the expansion was a critical moment. While I do think that Shadowbringers Is the overall best trailer for FFXIV Endwalker Is my favourite because it feels like a love letter from the developer and a thank you for the support and for allowing them to create that art piece from the success of the relaunch of the game in 2013.
Soken doesn't have to go this hard, but he consistently does... For us.
Why have you not played Final Fantasy XIV yet?
Anyways, a very focused trailer on players of FFXIV, which makes sense as you cannot even access Endwalker until after you finish the current game content. And also the servers are struggling bad under the strain of all the current players already.
Shows one of the main villains we've been following as a new class; which honestly I do not see him ever dropping his Samurai class for, shows our allies progression, shows the war that's been raging the past two expansions escalating as well as what looks like an umbral calamity occurring similar to a certain calamity mentioned at the end of Shadowbringers, shows a new city HUB and drops numerous interesting hints on where things are going.
As for someone who does not know the story, I understand your confusion. But for us who play this game for almost 10 years ( in my case) it makes sense. The song if you disect it, tells those 10 years in a very condensed way. I appreciate your honest critique though, cause it´s voiced in a very constructive and neutral way, which is a rare personality trate where you have to be commended on. Thx
To be noted, FFXIV Endwalker have the elements from FFIV (FF4) with it's Moon and the hero shown as Paladin. If you watch the previos expansion, FFXIV Shadowbringer, the hero become Dark Knight. Fun Fact, In FFIV (FF4), Cecil Harvey, the main protagonist, was a Dark Knight at the beginning, but lot of things happen he finally transforms into a Paladin, and everything then leads him to the Moon where the Lunarians lives (not a story spoiler, so don't worry). And yes, as Yoshi P explain this already, he says the moon in FFXIV Endwalker has air, and normal gravity, and atmosphere. Yup, exactly just like the moon in FFIV (FF4).
Well, one thing, i don't feel the trailer was off or anything, as the expansions story are all connected. So it is normal if it makes you clueless as you didn't know the stories behind. Anyway, Y'sthola the girl aka "Cool Chick Talking" are one of the important characters in FFXIV stories. There is very deep stories in FFXIV. SO? One solution. Play the game, know the story. LOL
P.S : FFXIV Endwalker is not the final expansion, it is the ending of "THAT" story , but it is not the end of FFXIV. Yoshi P already explained this. haha (i am sorry if my english might a bit rough, it is not my first language)
To be accurate, this is NOT the final FFXIV Expansion. It's the finale to the current story arc that has been going on since A Realm Reborn. There will be more Expansions, but they will focus on new stories.
yes they are brother and sister, twins to be exact that's why they look alike. And the scene with the summoning you meant was probably FF9 when the big tree with the city cleyra on top was destroyed. And the song is really melodramatic which fits the point of the story where the world(s) are at stake imho.
it totally feels like the start of an anime series intro
So yes if you watch this as a stand alone trailer… everything is lost upon you… if you watch this as a FF player, or fan of the series, you’ll see it for what it was. A love letter. They brought almost every major character back, the music was spliced and remixed and included the key songs from each expansion, and everyone’s gripe about the moon? Final fantasy 4 took place on the moo. -_-‘ it’s not something new and outlandish, it’s established in the lore. And they said it will make sense in this story as well once we are there.
Yeah, every part skipped through that you didn't like was like a massive lore nuke one after another, even the zoom out of the conference room, the spiral that the people sat in was a MAJOR lore hint/tease. To those who don't pay attention to lore or hadn't played, it definitely wont make any sense but to those who have it made us stand up and scream lol
Fun Fact
you can do that Dragoon Dive (its called Star Diver) in the game with some build up process before you can use it.
I think the other trailers were more about getting new players in; this one is a love letter to people that have kept with it the whole time. So, like, I get that it's hard to judge that; it's not exactly a trailer made for you, it's made for me. Which, I'm assuming was a conscious choice. So because it's a love letter to me, man, I'm melting so much. But also, I wanted to tell you I appreciate your view and approach.
Your reaction is understandable, and glad to see you react to this