X05: Final Fantasy XI Updated Hands-On

AMSTERDAM--Though we just saw Final Fantasy XI a few weeks ago on the Xbox 360, Microsoft was showing off an updated version of the Square Enix-developed massively multiplayer game. The game didn't look drastically different from what we saw at the Tokyo Game Show. However, this time around, the game was connected and playable on the Xbox Live servers, which marks the first time Xbox owners have ever been able to adventure with PS2 and PC players.

The popular online game first appeared on the PC and the PlayStation 2 and made significant inroads with console players who managed to overcome their uneasiness about PC-style massively multiplayer games due to their love of the Final Fantasy series. Though the game lacks concrete Xbox 360-exclusive content at the moment, it still manages to offer tangible visual improvements thanks to its higher detail and graphical resolution.

The control scheme of this new version seems to be a smart mix of old and new. Veteran players can choose to use a keyboard, while beginners can choose to use the 360 controller. The latter actually does a serviceable job of letting you get around and battle. It does, however, seem to fall short when it comes to chatting.

Aside from the live server connection, not much has changed about the game since we saw it in Tokyo. Fans of the series should be pleased by the opportunity to explore the rich world created for the game, while online game veterans should appreciate the depth in the gameplay and how you can evolve your character.