I have to say first off, FFXI is not for all... especially those that are expecting an EXACT replica of any other PC MMORPG. Complaints first. First off, the controls are a little weird to get used to. Remember, this was designed for the PS2, not the PC. You can use a mouse, but take the extra 10 minutes to either 1) set up a controller 2) learn to use ure right hand for the numpad on the right hand of your keyboard. Personally, once you get used to the controls and options (and macros you can create) it's all uphill from there. The installation is a pain. Having to use the playonline is a pain... unless Square comes out with future games that are indeed going to use the playonline, then I can forsee me liking playonline more seeing I'll be established in it. These are mostly technical complaints that may be fixable, I do not know. ******************************************************************************* Now about the game itself... ******************************************************************************* The graphics are incredible for such an online game. I really do find myself stopping when I get to really high elevations, or during sunsets, and make my character sit and look around. Also, seeing about 100 people unload off of a realtime AIRSHIP (if you are a FF fan) is just breathtaking and worth at least the downloading of a movie to see... or you can just play the game. The music you would expect from a FF game is very nice, although the fighting music can get just as annoying as all the other FF game fighting games. The one thing that you the player have to consider is how much time you are willing to give to a game before you like it. Unless you are playing diablo, most MMORPG's are slow to start but get better once you progress to actually know what you are doing. This is the same although the order of fun factor-ness (cool word I know)is a little weirder... Starting is kinda fun cuz everythign is new, but things get really boring until about level 15 or so until you start getting abilities, unlocking the really good story missions, and get put into situations where you almost have to party. and fight bosses. Teaming up keeps you alive, but unless you do it correctly, will take you longer to level up (you share exp). Once you get to this point of the game.... you won't want to stop for a long while. FFXI does add some new things not very common to the MMORPG. The ability chains add a heavy depth to strategy. If you can learn how to use these then your character can become at least 2 or in some cases 3 times more powerful in their attacks, let alone who much stronger a group of characters who know what they are doing can be. These act as sort of combos that different skills affect one another if you do them in the right order or if you time them correctly. So the best I can say is that I know there will be a lot of bashing and trashing from 3 types of people. 1) PC people because of the lack of need for a mouse. 2) People who have played their own MMORPG and find that theirs is better for whatever the reason. 3) Lastly are the people who don't have the patience to play a slower paced type of game and cannot handle the openness and commitment this type of game follows. For the rest of us, I'll see you online.
I am a three year player of Final Fantasy XI and i say that it is a brilliant game over world of warcraft. Most MMOs usually make you run around by yourself and run into a few people time to time and chat, Final fantasy ... Read Full Review
Though the market is already saturated with massively multiplayer games, Final Fantasy 11 has managed to distinguish itself through a tough love process…extremely tough love. Despite incredible curves kicking the averag... Read Full Review
