How Final Fantasy 14 Utilizes Conflicting Ideologies

As a seasoned player of Final Fantasy 14, I’ve witnessed the game’s narrative unfold like a grand tapestry, each thread weaving together to create a rich and immersive world. The ongoing philosophical debates that underpin the story have always intrigued me, especially as they reflect real-world issues in subtle yet profound ways.

In any tale, a conflict is essential; it’s fundamental writing knowledge. Storytellers might have their personal preferences for the type of conflict, and this principle applies to the game ‘Final Fantasy 14’. Not only are there obvious battles happening at any given moment in this game, but within its narrative, there are ongoing philosophical debates, as seen even in the storyline of ‘Dawntrail’.

At Gamescom, Game Rant had a chat with Final Fantasy 14’s executive producer, Naoki Yoshida (also known as Yoshi-P). During this conversation, he delved into the internal philosophical debates that the game has grappled with throughout its history, and how these debates persist in the main characters of Dawntrail, specifically Sphene and Wuk Lamat.

A Conflict Reborn

A Realm Reborn

Ever since its revival over a decade ago, this game has consistently featured a clash of contrasting beliefs as a key element. In Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, the main struggle was between security, embodied by the Garleans and Gaius van Baelsar, versus freedom, symbolized by the Eorzea Alliance. This conflict reaches its peak when Baelsar, who advocates for power, confronts the Warrior of Light, who champions Eorzea’s right to self-rule.

Shadowbringers

In Shadowbringers, Yoshi-P illustrates a classic scenario by depicting ancient Emet-Selch yearning to restore his beloved city Amaurot, even if it means causing harm to others, while G’raha Tia and the Seventh Dawn’s Scions are working tirelessly to safeguard their own home from Emet-Selch. On both sides, the driving force is a longing to return to where they consider home.

In essence, attempting to accomplish both objectives concurrently is impossible. For Emet-Selch, realizing his dream of resurrecting the old world necessitates the destruction of the current one. On the other hand, the Warriors of Light empathize with Emet-Selch’s objective but are unwilling to jeopardize their own world. This dichotomy is a central theme in Final Fantasy 14, recurring frequently throughout the main storyline.

Heavensward

In the story of “Heavensward,” the conflict revolves around two opposing religions: those who adhere to Saint Shiva’s teachings, advocating unity with dragons, and those who follow Halone the Fury, who consider Shivites heretics and seek to prolong the Dragonsong War indefinitely. As events unfold in “Heavensward,” it becomes clear that both factions have distorted historical facts to suit their respective beliefs. The truth about the origins of the Dragonsong War is far more complex than either side initially understood.

Stormblood

In Stormblood, the characters Lyse and Fordola serve as vehicles for investigating the concept of resisting to the point of death versus cooperating with an invader to preserve lives. Moreover, it contrasts Hien’s romanticized view of his homeland, Doma, with Yotsuyu’s harrowing stories from living in Doma under Hien’s rule.

Endwalker

In contrast to the narrative of hope versus fear in the game Endwalker, a story takes place in Sharlayan. Here, the Forum is placing faith in a divine prophecy and are considering leaving their world to its doom, while the Students of Baldesion are determined to resist this fate and save their world from destruction – a story that pits grim resignation against hope for a brighter future.

In Final Fantasy 14, instead of portraying the opposing side as immoral, it frequently encourages players to empathize with their adversaries. This understanding of the antagonist’s perspective is essential, according to Yoshi-P, to the current state of the game world.

Dawntrail: Sphene, Wuk Lamat, and Real World Conflict

In Dawntrail, these ongoing ideological disputes persist and are significantly shaped by contemporary happenings. They now stand as the primary source of strife in a world experiencing an increase in global violence. As Yoshi-P stated, this is the central conflict unfolding.

In light of recent global events, it’s clear that we find ourselves in a turbulent post-pandemic world, where divisions among certain regions have arisen due to historical and cultural differences. This unfortunate reality has even led to conflicts in some areas. I believe this is the path our world is currently on. However, I had hoped that open dialogue, patience in learning about each other, and a willingness to understand would pave the way for a more harmonious and enriched global community.

In the opening chapters of Final Fantasy 14’s Dawntrail expansion, the theme of war and peace significantly shapes the narrative. The land of Tural, particularly the nation of Tuliyollal, has experienced its fair share of conflict in the past. However, recent times have been relatively peaceful, a rare gift to the current generation. This tranquility, though welcomed by many, has sparked a yearning for battle among the younger generation, whether as a chase for glory or a means to stimulate Tuliyollal’s economy. On the other hand, the older generations, who have witnessed war directly, are strong proponents of peace.

During the significant dispute over the Tuliyollal succession rite, the main conflict transitions to a new, although related, debate concerning the worth of life versus national safety, as Yoshi-P described.

In the realm of Wuk Lamat and Sphene, these two figures head their respective communities, sharing a common goal: safeguarding their people. But the paths they envision for achieving this goal diverge, as do their core principles. This disagreement leaves them no choice but to engage in conflict, and our narrative is built upon this clash.

Conflict can’t always be avoided, whether it’s in real life or in games like Final Fantasy 14. How we manage these conflicts and show respect for others’ humanity is a personal choice. Some characters in Etheirys, such as Emet-Selch and Gaius van Baelsar, have had their humanity acknowledged significantly throughout the story. On the other hand, others, like King Thordan of Ishgard, were beyond redemption due to their inner darkness. It’s each person’s decision where that boundary lies.

2024-08-28 18:54