E3 '07: Final Fantasy XI: Wings of the Goddess Impressions

By Randolph Ramsay, GameSpot AUPosted Jul 12, 2007 5:34 pm PT

Time will be on your side in the latest expansion to the online Final Fantasy world.

The online RPG Final Fantasy XI has been around in some form or another on PCs and consoles since 2003, but despite its age Square Enix is still adding new content to the gameworld. The fourth expansion pack for Final Fantasy XI, Wings of the Goddess, is due out before the end of 2007, and we sat down with some of the creators of the game at E3 07 to find out the latest.

In a roundtable session with Square Enix planner Koichi Ogawa, software development senior VP Hiromichi Tanaka, and producer Yasu Kurosawa, the three executives confirmed what the game's first official trailer hinted at--that time will play an integral part in Wings of the Goddess.

Click to enlarge!

The new expansion will take players back 20 years in time--putting them smack in the middle of the Crystal Wars, the event which so irrevocably shaped Final Fantasy XI's world of Vana'diel. Many of the "new" areas to be added in Wings of the Goddess will actually be current locations in the gameworld as they were before the Crystal Wars, as well as new monsters that only existed in Vana'diel's past (including earlier versions of beastmen). The Square Enix execs declined to shed any more light on how the time-travel storyline will play out in the game, although they did cryptically say that the past won't simply be a parallel world for players--how a character performs in the past will apparently affect events in present day Vana'diel.

Other gameplay-specific details were light on the ground, but we did manage to find out that Wings of the Goddess will feature 30 new areas (including completely new ones mixed with Vana'diel past locations) and several new jobs for characters. With the game already out for several years, high-level players are fairly common in the gameworld--Wings of the Goddess will cater mostly to these players, with roughly 70 percent of new quests tailored specifically for the higher echelon.

Final Fantasy XI: Wings of the Goddess is set for a simultaneous release for the PS2, Xbox 360, and PC in Q4 2007.

37 Comments

  • Ba0ng89

    Posted Nov 30, 2007 1:25 pm PT

    Hahahahah Njarf dude you tell me about it...there are mad immature kids that play WoW dude...no offense but FFXI has a better community :]

  • Nagidar

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 5:41 pm PT

    I've played both WoW and FFXI in-depth, I have a 70 Rogue and a 70 Hunter in WoW and a 75DRK and 75THF in FFXI, now I quit FFXI about 11 months ago and started WoW, although I like WoW, there was just something about FFXI that I just couldn't get away from, so I am currently trying to get my character restored in FFXI to make a come back, hopefully SE can find my character and I will be able to come back. I'm very interested in how they will work this expansion, like, how will your actions in the past effect the present/future? This expansion seems very interesting and I can't wait to check it out and get into it, not to mention, they're suppose to be adding new jobs, gonna be fun to see.

  • Njarf

    Posted Oct 19, 2007 3:58 pm PT

    Been playing FFXI off and on since North America release, though have never been able to get past level 40 because of work and school.
    (Last I remember I was a level 28 Dragoon, gotta' love having a small wyvern singing your eyebrows off) This expansion will probably bring me back for atleast a couple months, it looks very promising, as always. The time-travel aspect seems could be rewarding.

    Maybe they'll have a couple areas that you can solo at, finding parties DOES take forever (Especially on Fairy), but you normally get mature players interested in having fun and gaining those awesome levels. On the off occasion that you get the stereotypical 10-year-old brat, I've noticed that he/she is usually booted from the party. Unlike WoW, where immaturity seems to rule over its playerbase.

    (Sorry for the attack on WoW, but c'mon, many who've played it know I speak the truth)

  • degenerate138

    Posted Oct 18, 2007 10:49 pm PT

    Oh yea, for anyone wanting to learn about new features in the game should visit a community site:

    http://www.killingifrit.com

  • degenerate138

    Posted Oct 18, 2007 10:46 pm PT

    Final Fantasy is probably the most successful video game franchises ever. They keep succeeding by making quality games.

    Final Fantasy XI is just a single example. The game is VERY in-depth and and addicting. It is very social based, meaning you need to play with other players to reach your goals. Without other people, there is no way you can advance in this game.

    If you have the time and patience, this is a very good choice if you want to play an MMORPG. Really in my opinion this game is 100% better than WoW and I've played that game pretty extensively. This expansion sounds pretty amazing, considering the fact that the events you take part in effect your character in "present day" Vana'diel. Anyway, 30 new areas and new jobs is gonna add even MORE content to a game that is friggen long as hell as it is now.

  • szen

    Posted Sep 20, 2007 8:47 pm PT

    any words on the new jobs I heard dancer was suppose to be one of them which we will be expecting 3 like usual but you just never know and I get to do some solo stuff it all depends on your job and gear and most of the people that been playing FFXI and go to WoW always end up coming back to FFXI so point made yes it's hard and ridiculous at times but it is still fun and time management you justs get what you put inot just like anything in real life too, beside thanks for the info if anyone knows anything about the jobs and at all times have fun good day peeps ^.~

  • whitewarriar75

    Posted Sep 10, 2007 6:51 am PT

    Yeah sounds great, I can't wait but what is the monthly fee gonna be ??

  • TrevasGallant

    Posted Aug 22, 2007 5:46 am PT

    If they could figure out a way where I'd only need 30 min. or an hour to play at a time, I would be playing. I played FFXI for a year when it first came out in the US and had a blast, but I just don't have the time or patience anymore for those off days where I would sometimes have to wait hours to even find a party. Cutting down on traveling time with personal chocobos probably helped, but it's not enough to get me back. Someone mentioned how WoW did it well since you could solo if you wanted to. I agree that it did it better since I could play for just a little bit if I wanted to, but it still becomes a problem when looking to go do certain instances or battlegrounds. Besides, I like FFXI much more.

    I would love to see the creators of this game somehow make it so you can have A.I. teammates as substitutes when other people aren't available but give parties with more real people in them huge bonuses to exp, item drops, etc. I guess the huge time sink is the biggest reason why I don't play MMO's/MMORPG's right now.

  • MiasmaRising

    Posted Aug 20, 2007 6:48 pm PT

    "I have finished all Final Fantasies to date but never played the ones on the PC maybe i should buy them an get them are they worth buying people??"

    If you like MMO's, then this is for you.
    Lemme put it this way, its better then WOW.

  • tiffere128

    Posted Jul 30, 2007 9:04 am PT

    I have finished all Final Fantasies to date but never played the ones on the PC maybe i should buy them an get them are they worth buying people??

    Tiffer.

  • gaa0c85

    Posted Jul 30, 2007 8:57 am PT

    final fantasy without online is the best

  • asmodeus_z

    Posted Jul 22, 2007 6:08 pm PT

    I would prefer a off-line version for the XBOX 360.

  • MiasmaRising

    Posted Jul 22, 2007 3:32 am PT

    YES! MORE JOB CLASSES! OH GODS BE PRAISED!

  • PureDante

    Posted Jul 20, 2007 7:33 am PT

    Once you FFXI, you do not go back. 3 years and 4 months~

  • Ninjiz

    Posted Jul 17, 2007 10:08 am PT

    "why solo in a MMO? The whole idea is to get together and play."

    The point is to be social, and play with friends. But tehre are times when it Shoudl be possible to play on your own. THATS why wow does so well. It takes too long to get things done in ffxi sometimes. Solo content or small group events only ADD to a mmorpg and should be there. FFXI has made many efforts to do this as of late. Which can only be a good thing.

  • Miguel85NYC

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 10:32 pm PT

    Cant wait for this!

  • icytower Site moderator

    Posted Jul 15, 2007 6:48 am PT

    There are just too many FF games out there IMHO.

  • msudude211

    Posted Jul 14, 2007 8:48 am PT

    More FF?

  • rwnummelin

    Posted Jul 13, 2007 11:01 pm PT

    why solo in a MMO? The whole idea is to get together and play. If you absolutely need to solo then level beastmaster, puppetmaster, summoner , red mage or black mage. Hell, you can solo with most jobs with ninja sub IF you're a good player. personally I think beastmaster ruin the game.

  • Jab7604

    Posted Jul 13, 2007 10:20 pm PT

    lets see what it has to offer like the new jobs. i recently quit playing XI for WOW but i may get it for 360 who nos

Final Fantasy XI: Wings of the Goddess Quick Links

Summary | Reviews | News | Previews & Features | Images | Videos | Answers | Forum | Check Prices

Check Prices

Amazon.com $18.65 SHOP ›
advertisement
advertisement
Click Here
Final Fantasy XI: Wings of the Goddess Boxshot Enlarge the boxshot
Final Fantasy XI: Wings of the Goddess

Game Stats

Full Game Details »Close
Also on

Games you may like…

Users who looked at content for this game also looked at these games.

See More Similar Games
advertisement