My interaction with the sprawling multimedia beast that is the Final Fantasy franchise is rather limited. I played the 10th game installment for a while but didn’t finish. I avoided watching the infamous 3D CGI movie from a number of years ago. The most direct and long-lasting experience I have with a Fantasy which is Final (but is it really?) started when I signed up to play the critically acclaimed (yadda yadda) MMO, Final Fantasy XIV.

Then I stopped. Then, a year or so later, I picked it back up again. Then I stopped again.

Now, even more years later… I’m back? Probably maybe?

Back in the day I started a new character on a new server every time an online friend said “Yeah, I’ll be happy to help you get through those pesky required dungeons!” Cue the chirping crickets sound effect. That’s a main part of why I kept bailing on the game: Enforced partying with strangers. More often than not the strangers you get tend to be hardcore into the game and lack anything resembling patience for anyone who doesn’t already have the dungeon duty mechanics down pat, let alone their skill rotation completely mastered. Off-putting, that.

Now, though? The game provides NPC helpers! And they do their jobs! Including staying out of telegraphs! I can solo those duties! Music to my ears, I tell you what.

I still prefer mining and crafting (no, not like that) but at least I can progress the story on my own terms. And, for now, I think I shall.