For those of us that have played games since the 80's there have been numerous control schemes that we have had to learn and adapt to. Do you not remember when you were first picking up pc gaming and learning to play different games like MMO's or FPS's?
It took me 3 months to really nail down Counter Strike back in the day. Now I can pick up an FPS in a matter of seconds. I almost wish someone would innovate so I could learn again. Is learning something new really that horrible? Does everything have to conform to the same crap for all eternity just so that you can pick it up and play without learning anything new?
Do you realize what you are asking for?
I don't think some of you get it. I really don't. It's not about learning something new. I have no problem with that! I love learning new things. However, I love learning new things that are intuitive and an improvement over the old. This isn't it, no matter how you try to spin it! It is a step backwards.
If the invention of flying cars or hoverboards ever arrive in my lifetime, I'll be one of the first in line eager to learn. But I have no desire to go back and learn how to ride a unicycle.
I was looking forward to trying a gamepad.. but then I remembered the action bar. What will replace the number keys on the gamepad? Will I have to scroll between 10 abilities with the d-pad/stick(in the middle of a battle)? That sounds even worse than the kb+mouse controls. Sigh.
Well after trying the game for a day and a half I have come to the conclusion that this game is not created for use with mouse or keyboard. The reason for this is the horrible menu system. It is obvious that this is a console game. I will try to explain:
The best method to play this game on the computer is by using the following buttons:
WASD = Running around (like the left stick on your xbox/ps3 controller)
IJKL = Looking around (like the right stick on your xbox/ps3 controller)
HOME = Brings up the menu system on the right side with journal, inventory etc etc (Y button on the controller maybe)
ARROW buttons = up, down, lef, right in the menu system, dialoge boxes etc
ENTER = Selects a menu, item etc
ESC = Closes the active dialogue, menu etc
Using the mouse in the game is time consuming and generally a bad bad bad experience. Probably because of the nasty software driver they have implemented, which is sluggish, non accurate and laggy.
So you end up running around with wasd and looking around with ijkl and pressing Home, using arrow keys along with Enter and Escape to exit. To select a target I use the TAB key to select it and press Enter twice to switch to Active mode so I can attack the creature. Cumbersome to say the least.
Now for me who have been playing games like since I was a teenager (Im 37 now) this is totally awkward. I am so used to click on things that this day and a half have been a terrible experience. For me this menu system is in fact game breaking. It is so bad for me that I will not buy the game, if there haven't been some adjustments to the system.
Now this is only my personal feelings. I can guarantee that probably some of you love the system, but for me who have been playing with mouse and shortcut keys its a no go.
Anyone else have some feedback on this? I do not hate this game in any way. This is just my personal take on the control system in Final Fantasy XIV.
I will keep an eye out on the game, but I doub't that I will play it with this system intact.
Shame really
Yep. Their UI from a functionality point of view is at best lacking. Very nice graphics, but it's such an effort to do pretty much any action; you would think with all the time spent on grahics they could actually make a good UI, but well ....
This is opinion obviously, but there are enough people complaining about this that it's hard to believe this will some day be talked about in gaming magazines as having "...the best, most innovative, and easy to use interface ever designed!!!"
Well said. The interface turned me off within 5 minutes of trying the OB. It's completely unintuitive. Sad too, such a beautiful game world and so many interesting options for advancement.
I only use the mouse for the camera and menu options. It not that hard to learn. I say give it another chance. It's a menu designed for gamepads really, but I switch between my gamepad and keyboard sometimes to learn and see which I like better. They have a nice diagram on the beta test forum if you couldn't figure out all the hotkeys and what-not.
Comments
I don't think some of you get it. I really don't. It's not about learning something new. I have no problem with that! I love learning new things. However, I love learning new things that are intuitive and an improvement over the old. This isn't it, no matter how you try to spin it! It is a step backwards.
If the invention of flying cars or hoverboards ever arrive in my lifetime, I'll be one of the first in line eager to learn. But I have no desire to go back and learn how to ride a unicycle.
Your fail comment, failed.
I was looking forward to trying a gamepad.. but then I remembered the action bar. What will replace the number keys on the gamepad? Will I have to scroll between 10 abilities with the d-pad/stick(in the middle of a battle)? That sounds even worse than the kb+mouse controls. Sigh.
Yep. Their UI from a functionality point of view is at best lacking. Very nice graphics, but it's such an effort to do pretty much any action; you would think with all the time spent on grahics they could actually make a good UI, but well ....
I only use the mouse for the camera and menu options. It not that hard to learn. I say give it another chance.
It's a menu designed for gamepads really, but I switch between my gamepad and keyboard sometimes to learn and see which I like better. They have a nice diagram on the beta test forum if you couldn't figure out all the hotkeys and what-not.