Final Fantasy XIV's Buried Memory update included the release of the long-awaited Island Sanctuary. Previous Live Letters from the developers provided fans with screenshots and information about island ranks, building, gathering, farming, and above all, earning currency. Due to the developer's passionate showcases, Island Sanctuary was highly anticipated and overhyped by fans, and most of them began to envision a game mode more akin to a full-on farming simulator. However, once players got their hands on it, many were disappointed.
Island Sanctuary was projected to be the golden child that would solve all of Final Fantasy XIV's current problems. For one, veteran players who have completed everything in the game would have engaging content to keep them subscribed. More importantly, Island Sanctuary was supposed to fix the game's housing crisis. Unfortunately, it didn't meet either of these expectations.
The Game Mode Is Clunky and Linear
Island Sanctuary's biggest criticism is that it's too linear. For a farming simulator, there isn't a lot of freedom as to what or where players can build. Live Letters from the developers gave players the impression that it would be a complete game mode with hours upon hours of open-ended content to keep players busy. Currently, the player base is in agreement that Island Sanctuary doesn't appear to be complete and was released in a half-finished state with the intention of releasing more content later down the line.
Another issue is the user interface. Players manage the island by using the Islekeep's Index, a menu that allows players to change modes, access logs, and craft items. Unfortunately, the interface of the Islekeep's Index is clunky and forces players to manage various actions by meticulously changing modes. Gathering items requires activating "gather" mode while watering plants must be done while in "water" mode. Players can't even pet their animals without switching to "pet" mode. These modes should have been integrated as hot bar actions to make them more pleasant to move between.
There Isn't an Incentive To Continue Grinding
Another disappointing feature is the cowrie and lack of items to purchase. For a currency system that's meant to encourage players to gather, craft, and complete visions, there aren't a lot of items to purchase. Aside from the two hairstyles, clothes, and minions, there is no reason for players to continue grinding for cowries once they get everything they want. This leaves players with the option of grinding cowries to purchase valuable paints and materia to sell on the Market Board. It's a way to earn Gil, but it's not very fun.
Further, the player's lack of choice is abysmal. There are few plots to build upon, and there are limited options when it comes to building placement. Players were once excited to have control over creating their own space on the Island -- however, due to linear progression, every island is more or less the same. Island Sanctuary attempted to make players feel as if they had full customization, only for them to discover that everyone's island is nearly identical. Once players finish building the main structures, there's not much else to customize.
Is Island Sanctuary THAT Bad?
Despite being mildly disappointing to some fans, others have found the game mode to be sufficient for what it is. After all, Island Sanctuary was always meant to be a mini-game within Final Fantasy XIV. The hype train's crash and burn took the attention away from the fact that the mode does provide hours of content despite its linear nature, and players who enjoy the simple act of gathering, crafting, and earning cowries to trade will find no issue in Sanctuary, even after they build and discover everything.
Island Sanctuary may not have lived up to the hype, but it's still a fun game mode where players can manage their own space and earn rewards for doing so. While it may not have a Stardew Valley level of replayablility, it's still worth playing to completion to get the new island outfits, minions, and hairstyles. Given the amount of criticism regarding the mode, it's almost certain that the developers will release more content in future updates to patch it up. Players who were expecting more from Sanctuary should keep an eye out for more information on updates in the next Live Letter.