Initial Impression Of Cosmic Exploration

On Tuesday Final Fantasy XIV's patch 7.2.1 launched, introducing Cosmic Exploration. I spent a couple of hours playing last night and thought I'd just give a couple of thoughts.

Our guide through the experience is Namingway, a character first introduced to the Final Fantasy franchise in Final Fantasy IV. We meet up with Namingway to start our journey in Old Sharlayan (X:12.6 Y:13.6) with a quest named A Cosmic Homecoming.

The requirements to get into Cosmic Exploration are two-fold. First, complete Endwalker. Second have a Discipline of Hand or Discipline of Land (crafting or gathering class) of level 10 or higher. In other words, the feature is designed to help high level players level non-combat classes. Best yet, to do so without flooding the marketboard with a lot of low-level items no one will want to buy.

Cosmic Explorations has a feature I wish the allied tribal quests had: a feature to look back on the construction progress. I know that MassivelyOP has reported otherwise, but as far as I know no server has managed to reach the end of the group construction content. Looking at the server list no server through the first two days is more than halfway through the third construction phase.

But honestly, what Cosmic Exploration is about is the Cosmic tools. Players can obtain the initial version of the tool from Researchingway at X:21.1 Y:21.8. To level up the tool to the next version, a player needs to visit Researchingway and hand deliver the research data acquired by completing various stellar missions. Oh, and unlike previous relic tool grinds, players do not need to equip their Cosmic tool while levelling. While equipping the tool produces greater rewards, just possessing the tool is enough.

When thinking about stellar missions, think fieldcraft leves. I've only done botanist missions so far but Cosmic Exploration has four levels of missions, ranging from level 10 up to level 100. 

Before I forget, Cosmic Exploration has FATEs. Giant FATEs. 

Large-scale projects will be triggered as milestones are reached in cosmic exploration.

When a project has been scheduled, a notification will be issued at the top of the screen, and after an allotted time has passed, the project will automatically commence. In order to participate, press the "Join FATE" button while in the designated location.

When a project has been completed, progress will be advanced to the next stage and changes to the field will be reflected. Participants will receive rewards dependent on contribution.

I have participated in a large-scale project. A very crazy time with both crafters and gatherers getting together to complete the FATE.

I should add another type of large group activity exists: Mech Ops. One player gets to climb into a giant mech and blast big rocks into little rocks while everyone else uses a special tool to extract the valuable ore thus exposed. Once I got the hang of what I was supposed to do I had fun.

I was really happy to discover the Exotablet. No running back and forth to the central hub to turn in missions. Just click on the little planet icon to both receive and turn in missions. The little flying saucer that comes out and scans you to determine if you've met the requirements to complete the task at either bronze, silver, or gold level is a nice touch. After about four hours of play I still get a kick out of seeing the little spaceship scan me.

When a tool is ready for an upgrade the Exotablet gives a visual indicator. The bottom left icon displays the progress on a tool. Very handy. And the icon with the question mark has a pretty comprehensive help feature.

The rewards aren't the greatest, but then again I haven't purchased the new dyes. I have my island sanctuary producing enough cowries to keep me stocked with the dyes introduced during the Ishgard Restoration so I plan on buying the new dyes. 

• Carmine Red Dye
• Neon Pink Dye
• Bright Orange Dye
• Neon Yellow Dye
• Neon Green Dye
• Azure Blue Dye
• Violet Purple Dye
• Metallic Pink Dye
• Metallic Ruby Red Dye
• Metallic Cobalt Green Dye
• Metallic Dark Blue Dye

For those looking at the gear from the vendor, I think the Carbonweave gear from Heavensward looks a little snazzier while maintaining the same general style.

And finally Cosmic Exploration offers Cosmic Fortune, a roulette type game. Tickets are available from Orbitingway (X:21.8 Y:21.1) and cost 1000 lunar credits. So far I haven't picked up a rare item but I suspect I'll play long enough to win some nice items.

Overall I suspect I'll find Cosmic Fortune a very grindy way to get my Cosmic tools. But a lot of players were demanding grind so apparently Yoshi-P listened. I also have to say the first area on the moon, Sinus Ardorum, does look nice. Hopefully the sight doesn't get too old as I suspect I'll spend a lot of time running through Cosmic Exploration.