Yeah if you are starting out fresh, I would find it rather difficult with 2 hours a day. Groups may often take that long just to form then find an unoccupied camp.
I played a white mage for 4 years. I had tons of time but played with brothers , my oldest brother's girlfriend and a friend from high school. It was the best of times , it was the worst of times.
Anyhow , there was IGE thing that ruin the game , everyone left me. I had L2 , and WoW accounts by this time , so I didnt play everyday and grew to hate white mage. On advise from my linkshell leader, I rerolled , took every base class to 12 solo. (at the time prices were 1500%)
I settle on thief to take to 30 , didnt know at the time I couldnt line up SATA (sneak attack + trick attack). I got to 30 and couldnt get SATA to land , so I went a wandered a bit (I was playing 3 hours a day , go in really bad parties .. like 2 Darks subbing white , and me subbing white while we did worms)
I ended up getting 30 and met an all beast linkshell. Two beast were just doing the job quest , so I went along , (I never did it on my other char) , so I got beast , and joined the beast linkshell.
I was in a group of 2 beast , me (as beast/red mage) , and bard (someone's baby sister from linkshell) we only leveled when I was on. Which was selfish when I look back on it , but it was fun , so much I left Wow and L2 on hold , took the beast static to 60.
It didnt get inteserting til I could use bottles , most times we would end up wiping , and being pushed away from our spot.
It came to a halt after about 7 months , as the static broken to go play other games. (Square wasnt improving anything , inflation was horrible , and Square was just beginning to address)
Went back a few times , but its not been improved enough. Plus it took me 8 phone calls to restore my character. which they promply deleted again O.o
I'll say it again. 2 hours a day is plenty of time to play FFXI. FFXI is NOT just about grinding your way up to 75, believe it or not. Find something else to do when parties are not forming... there are TONS of stuff to do in this game besides grinding. Too bad most people never figure that out.
After level 15, you'll see that you'll need to group. And finding a group can take a WHILE in FFXI. I played this game as a RedMage/Thief and managed to solo all the way to ~19, but after that it was really difficult. At lvl 32 it was all about groups and it was taking from 30min to 1h30 to get a good group. Once started it's fun but it's kinda a long wait time to only find a group.
imo, you'll be able to play for a while, but won't be able to go much high level.
I agree with everything you said, but I am still a bit skeptical about the tone that you're saying it, if that makes sense :P.
The way you're saying it, in my eyes at least, it seems that you are saying it is impossible to progress after the "required grouping" stage which (when I used to play) is a little above level 10 for healers and low teens for pretty much everyone else. It is NOT impossible for casual players to level up, it just, as I said in a previous post, takes longer.
If you're playing casually you have to remember two things:
1) You will not always get a group when you play. Sometimes groups take 5 minutes to form, others will take hours. This is something you have to realize if you're playing casually, like I do. Is grouping the only thing in FFXI? Of course not. Find something else to do! Grinding to the max level is, contrary to popular belief, NOT the goal of FFXI. Yeah, I know... shocking, right?
2) When you get a group you will probably be the first one to have to leave, causing momentary anger by your group. Depending on how much you have to play you have to subtract the time it takes to initially find the group, then the time to get the group setup and everyone in location. This can cut off your time substantially in some odd cases, but most of the time the setup will be about 10 minutes. So, if you have a maximum of 2 hours to play when you log on, know what you're getting into. Don't get into a group if you have to leave in 10 minutes. 2 hours is plenty of time for a group, but anything under 1 hour and you'll start getting a bad reputation, something you do NOT want in FFXI).
If you're fine with these two things, knowing it will be, above all else, slow to progress, then you'll be fine with FFXI. Not everything is a race... I think that's the most important thing to remember about this game. If you'll all about speed leveling and seeing those numbers get higher and higher every time you log on, go play WoW (another great game, but definitely on the opposite side of the spectrum as far as MMORPGs go).
I second cars' entire post there.
Those I know who have stuck with FFXI the longest, never get sick of it and have no intention of leaving are those who have a number of things they do. They don't only level, or only craft, or only quest. Variety is, I think, key.
The way I approach the game is by having various "projects" I work on. Getting a certain set of gear so when I do get a given job to that level I can equip it. Farming beehive chips to sell ('til I can HQ synth them into beeswax... :-p) and honey to work on my alchemy - that's one project feeding another. Quests. Missions. Unlocking a job I know I want to level eventually. Helping other players accomplish their goals when possible is always fun to me. And on and on.
Leveling is a means to an end in FFXI, not an end in itself. Even those I know who have several jobs at cap have a variety of other things they do. They're not leveling non-stop, every time they're logged in. Those that do are missing out on about 80% of the game, I'd say.
I've had this discussion with others and, in fact, was talking to cars about it earlier. It's all in how you set your expectations.
If you have 2 hours to play a day you can look at it two ways:
1. I wont' be able to progress as quickly in FFXI as others, with my limited time, but that's okay. If the game is good and I'm enjoying myself, then there's no hurry. I'll get there when I get there.
2. There's no way I'd be able to accomplish as much as I'd like in 2 hours a day. FFXI is simply not suited to that. The better idea might be to find another MMO that better fits my schedule and my expectations.
As much as I love FFXI - best MMO I've ever played, and I've played... way too many - I'll be the first one to tell people the game might not be for them. It's one of the few remaining "old school" MMOs that have more in common with a traditional RPG than the more action-oriented "casual friendly" MMOs nowadays, like WoW or LoTRO, etc. There's almost no hand-holding in FFXI, XP is not rewarded hand over fist and if something is in any way beneficial to your character, you can bet you're gonna have to earn it - there are few, if any, handouts. For some that's awful. Personally, I love the way FFXI is setup. I have my frustrations with it... but they're minor in the scheme of things.
Overall, if you can pace yourself, set your expectations reasonably given the time you have available, and really dig in... FFXI offers up *tons* of content - more than many people will ever get through.
As cars put it... FFXI really *isn't* all about leveling to level cap as fast as possible.
"If you just step away for a sec you will clearly see all the pot holes in the road, and the cash shop selling asphalt..." - Mimzel on F2P/Cash Shops
Sure! FFXI have a LOT MORE to offer than any other game, from lvl to fishing, cooking and much more. If you enjoy it -> (It's true this game is not for everyone)
I left this game because I was wasting too much time in it, with little reward... when I left this game I gave everything to a guy, just to be sure I won't come back (my beautiful racial/epic gear.... (you know... the one at lvl30))...
If you like FF style game and universe, don't listen to anybody and go play It's a beautiful game. And anyway, you'll meet somes friends ingame, then grouping will become shorter . The community in this game is awesome
Comments
Yeah if you are starting out fresh, I would find it rather difficult with 2 hours a day. Groups may often take that long just to form then find an unoccupied camp.
I played a white mage for 4 years. I had tons of time but played with brothers , my oldest brother's girlfriend and a friend from high school. It was the best of times , it was the worst of times.
Anyhow , there was IGE thing that ruin the game , everyone left me. I had L2 , and WoW accounts by this time , so I didnt play everyday and grew to hate white mage. On advise from my linkshell leader, I rerolled , took every base class to 12 solo. (at the time prices were 1500%)
I settle on thief to take to 30 , didnt know at the time I couldnt line up SATA (sneak attack + trick attack). I got to 30 and couldnt get SATA to land , so I went a wandered a bit (I was playing 3 hours a day , go in really bad parties .. like 2 Darks subbing white , and me subbing white while we did worms)
I ended up getting 30 and met an all beast linkshell. Two beast were just doing the job quest , so I went along , (I never did it on my other char) , so I got beast , and joined the beast linkshell.
I was in a group of 2 beast , me (as beast/red mage) , and bard (someone's baby sister from linkshell) we only leveled when I was on. Which was selfish when I look back on it , but it was fun , so much I left Wow and L2 on hold , took the beast static to 60.
It didnt get inteserting til I could use bottles , most times we would end up wiping , and being pushed away from our spot.
It came to a halt after about 7 months , as the static broken to go play other games. (Square wasnt improving anything , inflation was horrible , and Square was just beginning to address)
Went back a few times , but its not been improved enough. Plus it took me 8 phone calls to restore my character. which they promply deleted again O.o
Wings was complete trash.
I'll say it again. 2 hours a day is plenty of time to play FFXI. FFXI is NOT just about grinding your way up to 75, believe it or not. Find something else to do when parties are not forming... there are TONS of stuff to do in this game besides grinding. Too bad most people never figure that out.
I agree with everything you said, but I am still a bit skeptical about the tone that you're saying it, if that makes sense :P.The way you're saying it, in my eyes at least, it seems that you are saying it is impossible to progress after the "required grouping" stage which (when I used to play) is a little above level 10 for healers and low teens for pretty much everyone else. It is NOT impossible for casual players to level up, it just, as I said in a previous post, takes longer.
If you're playing casually you have to remember two things:
1) You will not always get a group when you play. Sometimes groups take 5 minutes to form, others will take hours. This is something you have to realize if you're playing casually, like I do. Is grouping the only thing in FFXI? Of course not. Find something else to do! Grinding to the max level is, contrary to popular belief, NOT the goal of FFXI. Yeah, I know... shocking, right?
2) When you get a group you will probably be the first one to have to leave, causing momentary anger by your group. Depending on how much you have to play you have to subtract the time it takes to initially find the group, then the time to get the group setup and everyone in location. This can cut off your time substantially in some odd cases, but most of the time the setup will be about 10 minutes. So, if you have a maximum of 2 hours to play when you log on, know what you're getting into. Don't get into a group if you have to leave in 10 minutes. 2 hours is plenty of time for a group, but anything under 1 hour and you'll start getting a bad reputation, something you do NOT want in FFXI).
If you're fine with these two things, knowing it will be, above all else, slow to progress, then you'll be fine with FFXI. Not everything is a race... I think that's the most important thing to remember about this game. If you'll all about speed leveling and seeing those numbers get higher and higher every time you log on, go play WoW (another great game, but definitely on the opposite side of the spectrum as far as MMORPGs go).
I second cars' entire post there.
Those I know who have stuck with FFXI the longest, never get sick of it and have no intention of leaving are those who have a number of things they do. They don't only level, or only craft, or only quest. Variety is, I think, key.
The way I approach the game is by having various "projects" I work on. Getting a certain set of gear so when I do get a given job to that level I can equip it. Farming beehive chips to sell ('til I can HQ synth them into beeswax... :-p) and honey to work on my alchemy - that's one project feeding another. Quests. Missions. Unlocking a job I know I want to level eventually. Helping other players accomplish their goals when possible is always fun to me. And on and on.
Leveling is a means to an end in FFXI, not an end in itself. Even those I know who have several jobs at cap have a variety of other things they do. They're not leveling non-stop, every time they're logged in. Those that do are missing out on about 80% of the game, I'd say.
I've had this discussion with others and, in fact, was talking to cars about it earlier. It's all in how you set your expectations.
If you have 2 hours to play a day you can look at it two ways:
1. I wont' be able to progress as quickly in FFXI as others, with my limited time, but that's okay. If the game is good and I'm enjoying myself, then there's no hurry. I'll get there when I get there.
2. There's no way I'd be able to accomplish as much as I'd like in 2 hours a day. FFXI is simply not suited to that. The better idea might be to find another MMO that better fits my schedule and my expectations.
As much as I love FFXI - best MMO I've ever played, and I've played... way too many - I'll be the first one to tell people the game might not be for them. It's one of the few remaining "old school" MMOs that have more in common with a traditional RPG than the more action-oriented "casual friendly" MMOs nowadays, like WoW or LoTRO, etc. There's almost no hand-holding in FFXI, XP is not rewarded hand over fist and if something is in any way beneficial to your character, you can bet you're gonna have to earn it - there are few, if any, handouts. For some that's awful. Personally, I love the way FFXI is setup. I have my frustrations with it... but they're minor in the scheme of things.
Overall, if you can pace yourself, set your expectations reasonably given the time you have available, and really dig in... FFXI offers up *tons* of content - more than many people will ever get through.
As cars put it... FFXI really *isn't* all about leveling to level cap as fast as possible.
and the cash shop selling asphalt..." - Mimzel on F2P/Cash Shops
Sure! FFXI have a LOT MORE to offer than any other game, from lvl to fishing, cooking and much more. If you enjoy it ->
(It's true this game is not for everyone)
I left this game because I was wasting too much time in it, with little reward... when I left this game I gave everything to a guy, just to be sure I won't come back (my beautiful racial/epic gear....
(you know... the one at lvl30))...
If you like FF style game and universe, don't listen to anybody and go play
It's a beautiful game. And anyway, you'll meet somes friends ingame, then grouping will become shorter 
. The community in this game is awesome 