Asheron's Call or Final Fantasy XI ?

[Angcuru]

I've looked at both and they both seem promising. But I'm tote sure with which one I should go. While AC doesn't charge for accounts(as far as I know), FFXI does, but it looks way better and has no affilliation with the hated microsoft.

Can anyone give me their opinions on either game?

 

[Alcareru]

I've looked at both and they both seem promising. But I'm tote sure with which one I should go. While AC doesn't charge for accounts(as far as I know), FFXI does, but it looks way better and has no affilliation with the hated microsoft.

Can anyone give me their opinions on either game?

OK I stopped playing AC2 in around March and am currently playing and enjoying FFXI. So I might be a little biased. Heres sort of my thumbnail breakdown:

AC2:

PRO:
Nice graphics.
>Continuing evolving storyline with monthly updates.
>A fantasy world with a slightly different look and feel than the usual Tolkienesque settings.
>Multiple character creation allowed.

CON:
>Monthy events often hard to participate in if character is lower level.
>Gameplaywise, essentially the same as the other MMORPGs of this generation (DOAC, etc)
>Microsoft product


FFXI:

PRO:
>Charming world-its Final Fantasy!
>Games run well on older PCs, and because of earlier Japanese launch no startup problems.
>Job switching and sub job feature.
>Refined (though not necessarily revolutionary) gameplay-TP, skill chains, "single player esque" mission storyline,lottery loot system, auction and bazaar features.
>Able to play with Japanese players.

CON:
>Byzantine registration for Playonline and FFXI.
>Extra costs for multiple characters.
>Inability to choose server.
>(Depending on your outlook) Ability to play with Japanese players.
>Often heavy xp penalty for death-players can loose levels becasue of death.


Ok so personally Im loving FFXI. Square has streamlined the MMORPG, and allowed alot of socialization and tweaked things to deter griefers-(no zone wide shouters or sellers, no ninja looting, kill stealing).

If you like Final Fantasy and the jobs and magic system of those games, I would highly recommend the game. It is as good as AC2 IMHO (and SWG too) and the setting just tilts the balance for me.

 

[Angcuru]

I actually prefer to have a hefty exp penalty for death. It cuts down on the number of really high-level people who get there by killing till they die, and then repeating the process. Makes the world more balanced IMHO.

I plan on snatching FFXI as soon as my next paycheck comes in.

 

[John Crichton]

My totally biased opinion - FFXI all the way.

 

[DMScott]

I've looked at both and they both seem promising. But I'm tote sure with which one I should go. While AC doesn't charge for accounts(as far as I know), FFXI does, but it looks way better and has no affilliation with the hated microsoft.

Not sure what you mean about charging for accounts - you pay a monthly fee for each Asheron's Call account. AC is an older game, not as graphically rich but very stable and balanced (since Turbine has had plenty of time to get the bugs out). FFXI is the hot new game that everyone's raving about, it's got a few months of honeymoon left before we start to see the "real" opinions surface. At this point, you're probably better off making your selection based on whether Final Fantasy appeals to you - if like me you're not a big fan of the genre, FFXI won't be a good choice even if it's brilliant. OTOH if you are a fan, it's probably worth a look even if it sucks.

 

[Tsyr]

As a note, FFXI is *not* new. Its actually been out for a long time.

 

[Alcareru]

I actually prefer to have a hefty exp penalty for death. It cuts down on the number of really high-level people who get there by killing till they die, and then repeating the process. Makes the world more balanced IMHO.

I plan on snatching FFXI as soon as my next paycheck comes in.

Angcuru- I assume youve seen it and may have already downloaded it- but I recommend grabbing the FFXI benchmark/demo. The benchmark gives a good idea of how it will look on your machine. But if your machine can run AC2 it can do FFXI-FFXI is a Direct x8.1 game.

 

[Felon]

AC (and AC2) both have monthly fees.

AC2 is by most accounts a pretty ill-conceived game. For instance, imagine a class that does nothing but set up auto-turrets to blow away anything that comes into range, then sits back and throws up walls around himself while he waits for victims to spawn. It's particularly bad news if you're going the PvP route; these turrets can be set up at portal exits.

To be fair, though, I haven't played the AC2 in some time. SWG has pretty much burned me on the idea that anyone's got any fresh ideas for the MMORPG. In fact, what I most enjoyed about them--dungeons--seem to be ignored these days in favor of emphasizing guild-oriented PvP.

 

[Alcareru]

AC (and AC2) both have monthly fees.

AC2 is by most accounts a pretty ill-conceived game. For instance, imagine a class that does nothing but set up auto-turrets to blow away anything that comes into range, then sits back and throws up walls around himself while he waits for victims to spawn. It's particularly bad news if you're going the PvP route; these turrets can be set up at portal exits.

To be fair, though, I haven't played the AC2 in some time. SWG has pretty much burned me on the idea that anyone's got any fresh ideas for the MMORPG. In fact, what I most enjoyed about them--dungeons--seem to be ignored these days in favor of emphasizing guild-oriented PvP.

I write this as I await the FFXI servers to come back up..

PVP is what drove me away from AC2. Good hunting spots were invaribly by PVP zones and were easy to stray into. Griefers..I mean PvPers usually ttok full advantage to punish any lost characters. And I wont even start on the stupid portal jankers.

Speaking of fresh ideas, the absolute best "new" thing I like about FFXI is that battles are a bit more "tactical". Characters can learn weapon abilities which, when your TP (tactical point) bar fills up you can use to unleash a special attack. This bar can be overcharged in excess of 100% and even better, can be linked with other melees special attcks to unleash even more damage. Magic users can time spell attacks in a similar way to create magic bursts.

As a result, meleer's arent simply hitting the attack button and then going to the fridge to grab a beer. Attacks have to be timed and people pay attention. Teamwork is stressed and appreciated. O yeah most monsters- even the little rabbits you meet at level 1 have special or magic attacks too.

To me this is innovative, if not revolutiary, and combined with the ability to gain exp chains by killing monsters in rapid succession to get xp bonuses- makes players actually demonstrate some skill in combat.