Final Fantasy XI MMORPG on 10/28

[John Crichton]

Hmmm, the World Pass option didn't seem so bad in the beta but them again there was just one server.

 

[RangerWickett]

I don't suppose you beta testers could convince them to change that, eh?

 

[John Crichton]

I don't suppose you beta testers could convince them to change that, eh?

I don't really have any contact with them anymore although I could drop an email. Honestly, while the World Pass thing is kinda annoying it's not all that bad. The first experience playing the game is usually a trial and error thing anyway so by the time a PC can afford one you are ready to try a new character or region. That was my experience anyway.

I'm gonna have to scrounge around and see if I can find out why they did it this way. Never really thought of it before...

 

[Shard O'Glase]

If you don't like MMORPG's there is a good chance that you won't like FFXI. I've played a few and while FFXI does many things well it is still basically a glorified chat room with swords and spells (as are pretty much all MMORPGs).

It is a fun game if you can get into it and have some time to devote. It is much better playing with others in the party even though the single-player experience doesn't suck and is still needed to gain decent amounts of XP so you can level up. The graphics are fantastic and the game has the best use of a campaign world that I have seen yet - dying actually matters. There are game goals to strive for such as getting the best equipment or finishing all the quests and it certainly feels like Final Fantasy, which is a good thing.

I've always liked the concept of mmorpgs but I haven't really got into them yet. I've played a bit on friends games etc, but I never really played one. I've been waiting for a mmorpg that interests me enough to do the monthly fee thing. Right now I think i may wait for WoW. But after looking abit ff11 looks good enough I may play it.

 

[John Crichton]

I've always liked the concept of mmorpgs but I haven't really got into them yet. I've played a bit on friends games etc, but I never really played one. I've been waiting for a mmorpg that interests me enough to do the monthly fee thing. Right now I think i may wait for WoW. But after looking abit ff11 looks good enough I may play it.

It's certainly worth giving a shot. I had some quality fun with the beta, which is pretty much the same as the one being released now except it's on PC, not PS2 (which means the graphics should be better).

There is alot to do in the game, even if you just solo. But the best fun is doing it in groups. I met some really cool folks in the game who made the experience even better, which really is ever MMORPGs strong point. My only issue with most MMORPGs is the time you need to invest in them to do well. You can't really put the game (any game) down for a few weeks without falling behind.

Otherwise, the game is a ton of fun. I like the way the story, missions and quests work. I like the setup works where you don't have to involve yourself in the conquests but they are there if you want to. For a relatively new game I think it has a ton of potential.

 

[Alcareru]

It's certainly worth giving a shot. I had some quality fun with the beta, which is pretty much the same as the one being released now except it's on PC, not PS2 (which means the graphics should be better).

There is alot to do in the game, even if you just solo. But the best fun is doing it in groups. I met some really cool folks in the game who made the experience even better, which really is ever MMORPGs strong point. My only issue with most MMORPGs is the time you need to invest in them to do well. You can't really put the game (any game) down for a few weeks without falling behind.

Otherwise, the game is a ton of fun. I like the way the story, missions and quests work. I like the setup works where you don't have to involve yourself in the conquests but they are there if you want to. For a relatively new game I think it has a ton of potential.

Ive been pleasantly surprised so far. Its kinda weird-but in now way a negative- running into Japanese players and seeing lines of Kanji float in the dialog boxes (in the short window when my time zone and theirs form playing intersect). But Ive become a fanboy. The cutscenes for the storyline/quests are very cool. Has a single player feel since my character is in those scenes and part of the story.

And amazingly enough, Ive encountered no real powergamers. Possibly because the game has been out for some time Japan, maybe theres a brake on people racing to be Uber since they wont be the first. Or maybe its cuz the game is still young in North America.

But Square has surprised me. The game isnt revolutionary in graphics or gameplay but very polished with the Ff feel. Maybe EQ2 or WoW will be a revolution, but this game is fun.



BTW does the whole Playonline interface/email system remind you of the fake MMORPG in dotHACK?

 

[Tsyr]

Sigh

My name is Dave, and I am weak.

 

[John Crichton]

Sigh

My name is Dave, and I am weak.

I can only assume that means you picked it up? What do you think so far?

 

[Alcareru]

Sigh

My name is Dave, and I am weak.

The Power of Moogle commands you! Welcome aboard!

 

[Tsyr]

I can only assume that means you picked it up? What do you think so far?

Hmmm. I havn't had much time to play it today, so I really have no impressions on the gameplay yet, but a few early thoughts.

• Graphics -- More than anything else, I have to say this: The graphics in this game are amazing. Oh, sure... The textures might not be the highest res ever, and the partical effects are at times strangely lacking (On water falls, for example)... But overall, they WORK, in a way that no MMORPG since Everquest's has. They feel comfortable, and friendly... Not in a cartoony way, but in a nice, "You want to be here" sort of way. And better yet, they run great on my aged system (1 ghz 512 ram GeForce 3). The little touch that you can run the interface at a different res than the game world is a GREAT one, and one I expect to see more of in MMORPG's in the future.
  
• Interface -- Awkward, at least thus far. Particularly the interface for logging in, but in game too... I keep bringing up menus I didn't want just doing things like walking around. I expect this to get better with time though.
  
• Character Limit -- This sucks. I want to make more than one character... I want a Mithra ninja, a Elvaan Samurai, and a Hume Summoner... So I'm gonna be paying more money.