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thinking of trying this game, need advice
Swiftblade13
Member Posts: 638
I'm thinking of trying FFXI.
My girlfriend and I will be playing together, will we pretty much always need a group or can we duo effectively?
How are the graphics compared to other popular MMO's.. I dont take well to outdated graphics.. the worst I could stand nowadays is something like L2. The graphics did not look very good to me on the youtube vids I watched... they may have been bad ones.
What will it cost me to buy the game with expansions, and what is the monthly fee?
Any other advice/comments?
Thanks!
P.S.- My favorite things in MMO's are adventuring and exploring. I miss EQ1.
Grymm
MMO addict in recovery!
EQ,SWG preCU,L2,EQ2,GW,CoH/CoV,V:SOH,
Aion,AoC,TR,WAR,EVE,BP,RIFT,WoW and others... no more!
Comments
if you are willing to spend a great deal fo time and effort to this game by all means go for it. this game is just boring to me.
If you want a big waste of time, totally play this game. Its graphics are on par with...a flaming turd. But hey, if you find long long long leveling time, a horrible transportation system, clunky controls, a very immature player base fun, then go for it. You also must be at least 70% masochist to get past lvl 10.
Why hang out in the forum if you're just here to flame the game? You can duo some stuff, it depends on your class, equipment, and the relative skill of the player- there's lots of variables. Graphics are definately not on par with L2, I would say you expect far too much if you're judging every game you play by those standards, they aren't bad but they haven't got the crispness or depth of what I see over in the L2 screenies. The current 3 expansions and game run about 20.00$ in a set, as seen here. Monthly fee is 12.95 + another 1.00 per character created.
Base a game on graphics, that's the way to go.
I apologize for the double post but I must argue with this. For the OP...
I'm thinking of trying FFXI.
My girlfriend and I will be playing together, will we pretty much always need a group or can we duo effectively?
Depending on how you make your characters you could technically duo. If you wanted to do that one of you should be a beast master. Beast Masters normally solo anyways.
How are the graphics compared to other popular MMO's.. I dont take well to outdated graphics.. the worst I could stand nowadays is something like L2. The graphics did not look very good to me on the youtube vids I watched... they may have been bad ones.
The graphics are close to L2 graphics on max settings. You can also do a registry hack that increases the texture graphics if your computer can stand it which makes it, in my opinion, the same if not better than L2. Also YouTube videos are always horrible. Google for some trailers.
What will it cost me to buy the game with expansions, and what is the monthly fee?
Where I live it cost me 50$ for the game with all the expansions including 30 days free. However I live in Canada where people put tariffs on video games since we are pirates. (Canada has the highest piracy rate electronically in the world) You could get it for as little as $20 as stated above.
Any other advice/comments?
See if anyone you know has a buddy trial for you that you can try.
Thanks!
P.S.- My favorite things in MMO's are adventuring and exploring. I miss EQ1.
You can adventure alot in this game. go out of the way with your girl and try unused training spots.
Errr... yeah, n00bit - very appropriate name, by the way.
The graphics in FFXI are not going to be on par with what's coming out today. For one, it was developed around the limitations of the PS2 - finite memory, finite processingi power, etc. That said - especially as you get farther into the game - the graphics really are quite excellent. Texture resolutions tend to be low (again, memory restrictions), but SE has done a fantastic job of creating some very compelling environments... they seem to get more and more interesting the farther you get.
You be the judge... Here's a link to some screenshots... They're for the 360 so they're only slightly more vibrant, but the textures and everything are as they look on the PC version as well.
http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/748/748456/imgs_1.html
The control scheme is different from the more main-stream "mouse and WSAD" setup - again... a bi-product of it being originally designed for the PS2 and a gamepad. However if you set up the keyboard config to use "compact keyboard", you get the WASD movement and the arrow keys will control the camera and everything else is literally right at your fingertips. You don't need to use the mouse, ever. A friend of mine started playing recently and it took him all of an hour to get used to it - he's now a level 22 SMN / 11WHM and is loving the game.
Transportation in FFXI comes in several forms...
- There's the old and reliable "foot travel"... you'll do this pretty much exclusively until you get to where other options come available.
- There's ferry travel where you can either hang out down below or go up top and fish for the trip (not recommended unless you're high enough level to deal with any monsters you might fish up)
- There's Chocobos which you get your license for at level 20...Once you've gotten the chocobo license, any job you have at least level 15 can ride a chocobo from a city and can ride for 15 minutes. From level 20 and up, you can ride one for 30 minutes. There's special gear you can get to increase the riding time. You can now raise your own chocobo which you can ride at full adult-hood and can call on from out in the field using a special whistle to call it.
- There's the teleport crystals which you need to get to and "flag" for yourself the first time. From that point on, a White Mage with the appropriate teleport spells can teleport you and/or a party straight out there.
- There's Outpost warping which you can access by doing a supply run out to the outpost for a region while it's under your home nation's control. Once you have the supply run complete, you can go to an NPC in each of the cities and teleport directly out to any Outpost you've done a delivery to.
- There are instant warp scrolls you can purchase with "Conquest Points" (which you'll learn about when you start playing).
- You can buy Warp Cudgels which have a set number of charges (I believe 25) and they can teleport you back to your homepoint.
- Black Mages get "Warp" and "Warp II", which can teleport themselves first, then others back to their Home Point.
- And of course, you can't forget Airships which you get to ride, first at around level 25 to go out to Khazam in the Elshimo Region (a jungle environment) and then get the airship pass to fly between Jeuno (a "central city" in the game) and each of the starting cities. Sooo... I'd say there are plenty of means of transportation in FFXI... don't let anyone else (-cough- n00bit -cough) tell you otherwise.
The player base, in all the time I've played FFXI (since its NA PC launch 4 years ago), is among the most mature I've ever encountered.... which, ironically, is probably why n00bit seems to take issue with it, judging by his demeanor. FFXI is not a hack-n-slash, fast-food, instant-gratification type of game and does require a bit of a brain and patience to fully enjoy... which is why it tends to scare away alot of the type that seem to overrun WoW and its ilk. I've rarely *ever* seen anything like the so-called "Barrens Chat" I've seen in other MMOs in FFXI... and anything that's come even remotely close hasn't lasted more than a few minutes.
Finally... about getting to 10... Well, on your very first character, playing your very first job, getting to 10 can def. take longer than in other games. FFXI is not a hand-holding game and they do not cater to fast leveling and super-fast xp - at any level. That said, once you've leveled a job or, maybe, two and are more familiar with the game, with what to and what not to hunt at a given level and so forth... you can get to 10 in an afternoon.
That said... If you decide to pick the game up, just go in with an open mind.. Don't look for similarities to other MMOs because, really, there aren't any. FFXI is really an experience all its own. Square has deliberately avoided the formulaic band-wagon approach so many other developers are taking in many ways - though they might not be immediately obvious - and have stuck to their guns to make a game that is truly unique in the genre. That said... it is *not* for everyone.
and the cash shop selling asphalt..." - Mimzel on F2P/Cash Shops
i loved ffxi, but left due to the gilseller issue from last year.. went to WoW again..
i wouldnt say it has bad graphics, but you are setting the bar a little high.. it wont hold a candle to the next generation of MMO's coming out. but if you have a decent pc and crank the settings they are alright. the game is very focused on party activity, so you will meet alot of people and make friends(unless you alienate everyone by being an ass), id have t osay the community is one of the best ive ever seen.. but if yo uare looking for an easy, casual game, then this is not for you. you really cant hop on for an hour or 2 and accomlish anything other than chatting with friends or checking the AH.. there will be times where you cant find a party for hours.. of course until you are ready to log out.. but on the ohter hand it makes your accomplishments actually feel like accomplishments. the crafting system is pretty in depth, and takes a lot of time and effort to progress in( which i think is good). Yeah, id say its more for actual MMORPG fans, not for a casual player.. if you want a game thats pretty, has an easy learning curve, and isnt a huge challenge, id say go for WoW, LOTRO, or hold off a few months and see how this next generation turns out.
Items that were in the millions - even 10s of millions - have come down below 1 million - like the Emperor Hairpin. I bought a jujitsu gi a long time ago for 450k, when the RMT/Inflation was at its worst, it went up into the millions. Last time I checked it was going for 180k. It's an awesome time to come back, or to start from scratch if you're a new player. So, if it's the economy and RMT that scared you off, then you could well reconsider it if you decide to try it again.
and the cash shop selling asphalt..." - Mimzel on F2P/Cash Shops
Honestly, the game stinks. Get EQ2 if you want a good MMO, good graphics, great population, overall awesome game.
Don't listen to the ones hating on the game, it's a great experience for newcomers, if you enjoyed EQ1, you may like the depth of this one as well, try it out for yourself and you be the judge.
Wow... what a compelling, thorough and absolutely thought-provoking post. How can anyone argue with that logic?
The OP is asking about FFXI, not EQII. I think you stumbled into the wrong forum.
That said, having played both games extensively... EQII is a game with lots of content but not much depth. FFXI is a game with tons of content and *lots* of depth. If I were to start giving specific examples, this would become a huge post.
Go to this site:
http://wiki.ffxiclopedia.org/Main_Page
and look into the game for yourself. Go through and check out the content under the "Knowledge Base". To get an idea of the depth of the game, check out the sections under "exploring vana'diel", particularly Limbus, Salvage, and so forth. You will not find content with as much depth in many - if any - other MMOs out there today (I've played around 25, and I've yet to see it matched... Eve Online and Anarchy Online come close, in their own way). FFXI is true to the Final Fantasy franchise in its sheer depth and detail and to try and regard it as merely a "grind game" or complain that it's 'too party oriented" is to be entirely missing what the game is about - and sadly, so many do (based on many of the posts ragging on it in these forums). Don't get me wrong, there are those who play it, "get it" and simply find it's not for them. However, there are so many who will knock it because it's not a soloable-to-end-game power-leveler's paradise - which it decidedly isn't.
Some will try and frame it as though SE somehow screwed up by not making the game the way *they*, the poster, want it (it's common forum-speak for some to say "it's broken" when they really mean "it's not setup the way I like it"; as well as "they need to fix it" translating into "I want them to change it to the way I want it"). Don't let that dissuade you. SE is very much certain of what they're doing - especially after 5 years into the game's life-span - and they are sticking to their guns, staying with their vision of the experience they want to deliver to their players. They're not caving into the band-wagon "us, too" copy-cat mentality so many others are, trying to emulate WoW in some way to ride on Blizzard's coat-tails.
It's not a perfect game. It has its flaws and I have some gripes with it - but they're few and insignificant, to me, compared to all it has to offer. FFXI is a unique and, to me (and many others who play it), extremely enjoyable experience. The question is - as always - whether or not it's for you.
and the cash shop selling asphalt..." - Mimzel on F2P/Cash Shops
Items that were in the millions - even 10s of millions - have come down below 1 million - like the Emperor Hairpin. I bought a jujitsu gi a long time ago for 450k, when the RMT/Inflation was at its worst, it went up into the millions. Last time I checked it was going for 180k. It's an awesome time to come back, or to start from scratch if you're a new player. So, if it's the economy and RMT that scared you off, then you could well reconsider it if you decide to try it again.
thanks for one of those rare positive responses.. i do think about going back, but, alas, i moved to korea last month and neglected to bring my game disks.. and i had uninstalled it due to limited hard drive space.. i think maybe when the next expansion comes out i might buy a compilation, but i cant buy the ones i already have again, even if they are 13000km away.
I, too, am trying to return to the game. I can't until my finances square out near the end of the month. However, I just plain got bored with WoW, AGAIN, before my 6-month subscription ended. WoW just got so repetitive, and often times, the only time parties communicate on WoW is mostly to give orders about what to do. There isn't much in terms of side chatter. On FFXI, people socialize alot, and you don't have to log out to switch your jobs. You can play as every job in the game, and can keep a different set of equipment for each job saved if you want. The SubJobs are cool, allowing you to play as two jobs at once. Anyway, onto your questions...
Depending on your classes, you could probably pull it off. A healer, and a major tank could probably do it easily, but I don't know. I haven't made it that far myself.
FF graphics are pretty good, considering how long it's been out and such. More detail then WoW, and about FFX standards. They are pretty good. However, take a look at the screenshots and judge for yourself.
I got my main game [for PS2] for $20, the expansions for $10-$20 each, and the monthly fee is $12.99 per character. For both you and your girlfriend, you'd have to buy two copies of all of them, I think, so you can both play at the same time. [I don't think the same login can be on twice - correct me if I'm wrong].
I absolutely love the Final Fantasy series, but I must say, this game was horrible. The graphics were bad. The controls were bad. The monetary system is completely ridiculous. It was just dissapointing to me. I expected the same quality as some of the console games. I quit playing after about six days. It just was too monotonous and boring to play.
As much money as this franchise has made, they could have done better than this. They completely relied on the strength of the FF community to buy it off the name alone instead of making a decent game. I don't know what they were thinking. There is no reason to have put out such a sub par game.
I would completely pass on it. There are free mmorpg's online that are better.
I have seen games with much worse graphics, considering the age of FFXI. The graphics are pretty good, considering it's designed for cross-platform, MMO. Graphics won't be "high-tech", simply cause that would require a rediculous bit of bandwidth. However, considering what we have, the graphics are pretty good.
I admit, the monetary system can be one-sided, but that's due to RMT, and SEs attempts to limit the economy. If there is too much, there is high inflation, leaving low-levels in the dirt. Basically you need to auction off everything you get, and you'll be rolling in gil in no time. It's not as easy as most FFs to get Gil... but you can make mad gil once you figure out the AH system.
It is like most FFs, except for the lack of Gil. It has it's own story. You just seem disappointed because you can't level up and get gil like mad, right? Otherwise, it is like most FF. Just not as simple. Also, it's a bit better, simply because you can interact with others. Other FFs don't let you have a live, interactive party to keep you entertained, so your party's personality varies by the members. It's cool.
Subpar? It's just like any other MMO. It's grinding, questing, and the like. It's also based on the FF-style. Even the graphics are based on the FF style.
There is? I would like to hear a list of free MMOs that are equal to FFXI, or any other MMO. The free ones are generally less graphics, and limited features. So I'd love to hear you mention some.
Yes... because 6 days of playing the game is enough to get a true sense of the depth of the game enough to make comments about what SE "could have done" with it. You haven't even begun to scratch the surface of what they *have* done with it.. how are you in any position to be commenting on what they "could do". Gimme a break. That's like walking out of a movie theater after the first 5 minutes, complaining how "they could have done so much more with that movie - what a disappointment". It's ridiculous.
Six days is enough to perhaps get an idea of whether it's the kind of game you want to play, and I'll be the first to say - and have said - that it's not for everyone. Obviously, whatever it is you're looking for in a MMO, FFXI didn't deliver it. I realize there are people who are self-important enough to feel that if a game (or movie, or CD, etc) doesn't appeal to them that there must be something wrong with it. However, all it really means is, it's not for you.
However, especially with FFXI, 6 days is not even remotely close to enough time to make that kind of a blanket comment. You can't get a full appreciation of how deep the game is from even 6 weeks of play. Heck, I know people playing for 4 years - since it came out on PC in the US and they are *still* finding new things to do and goals to set.
So while I can appreciate that it's a dense game and takes some time to get used to for a new player - six days is not really enough time to judge the game as a whole; only whether or not it's something you personally want to play.
and the cash shop selling asphalt..." - Mimzel on F2P/Cash Shops
Oooo Oooo I found a way around the clunky keyboard controls for PC. I started using a Nostromo SpeedPad and I can pretty much play one-handed with the exception of communicating with others and the rare occasion I need the mouse for some odd task. I can also make macros for my macros
I usually set up macros on my mouse. I usually type but I've really gotten into Ventrilo so no point.
3.5 year vet of FFXI here. I have 4 jobs @ lvl 75 and I've admittingly quit this game at least 3 times. This game is not for the casual player, and you won't get much from this game if you can only devote less than 20 hours per week. I tried quitting for Lineage 2, Guild Wars, WoW, RF Online, Everyquest 2, and a few others... None of them came close to the quality and depth FFXI offers which is why I kept coming back.
To the people complaining about the graphics: Seriously, the graphics are great, just go look at a few screenshots and decide for yourself. There are lots of pretty games out there with horrible gameplay. I'd much rather have FFXI's beautiful gameplay than a "pretty" dozer.
As for the controls, FFXI uses a unique way for movement. You can use either a keyboard or controller - none of that point and click crap. The UI takes a while to get used to when you first start, but once you get used to it you'll learn to love it. Most PC players don't even have to touch their mouse at all when playing - to me that is simple and I like it.
The main reason to play FFXI is for the endgame. The reason why I said this game is not for the casual player is because there's so much to do once you hit the max level (75). Quite honestly, there are at least 10 different major endgame events that involve large groups of linkshells (Guilds/Clans). They're fun, challenging, and require a good amount of skill which makes it fun. They do require a good amount of time though, you should expect most events to take at least 2-3 hours to organize and complete, if not more.
For people that are considering starting this game: It's not too late. I would highly recommend playing FFXI with a friend or two - it just makes starting an Exp. party much easier. People still level low jobs and you won't have to deal with overcrowded camps. Leveling in FFXI has been repeatedly made easier, a true hardcore player can hit level 75 in just about 2 weeks while a 'normal' person will hit 75 in about 3-4 months. As a friendly tip, it's a good idea to level a mage job as your first job because they're quite desirable for just about anything FFXI has to offer. There's always too many melee and not enough mages.
As my final note, I've made many good friends playing FFXI and even met up with a few of them in RL. The community is mature for the most part, and most people that I've encountered are at least 18 years of age. The game is fun if you enjoy doing activities with people, rather than solo your way through the game like some MMOs do. FFXI still has many years left, there's even a new expansion coming out this Christmas which is releasing new jobs. Give it a try
I agree with your post entirely - except for this one quoted paragraph. I think you're characterizing the game rather narrowly.
Yes, the high-end content (I think "end-game" is a misnomer for FFXI. I don't think it has an "end-game" in the usual sense, because of the way it's setup) is one of the things to look forward to in the game, but I don't agree that it's the "main reason" to play. It might be the main reason why certain people play, but it's not the game's primary focus. That's an approach that is all too common with other MMOs and really doesn't fit in FFXI.
FFXI has enjoyable content all the way up, including the missions - which carry out the game's main storylines and are extremely well done. The original FFXI storyline was very dark but very cool. The Zilart storyline is unfolding to be a very compelling one as well. Though I haven't gotten very far into it yet, I hear all the time that the Chains of Promathia storyline is incredible and has some of the toughest challenges in the game. Then you have Aht Urghan and of course the up-coming Wings of the Goddess. One of Square Enix's strengths in the FF series has always been the stories they craft and your character's place in them; to overlook them in favor of only the "end-game" content is to overlook a major part of the game and, certainly, one of the things that really makes FFXI stand out in the genre.
Also, all the other content along the way - your Promyvion runs which you can ideally do well before you reach the "end-game" levels. There's BCNMs which span a huge level range and are a popular form of challenge - and reward - for many people. There's all the side activities... You can enter a Besieged well before hitting the 70s. There's tons of activities to do well before you hit the "end-game".
So while I do agree that there is tons to do at the so-called "end-game"... it's not like other MMOs in that that's *all* you have to look forward to and everything up to that point is just filler intended to get you there... FFXI offers a deep and involving experience (as deep and involving as a player chooses to make it anyway) from level 1. It's all in how you play and what you're after.
Not trying to nit-pick your post there.. but I think framing it as being "mainly about end-game" was doing the rest of the game an injustice.
and the cash shop selling asphalt..." - Mimzel on F2P/Cash Shops
"if you are willing to spend a great deal fo time and effort to this game by all means go for it. this game is just boring to me."
Way to completely back up your argument there chuckles. Wanna know why it's boring to you? Because it's not like any other out there in that you can grind from 1 to level cap in 2 days. You have to party, you cant just solo, and you need to farm for the purpose of having an income which stops leveling.
"If you want a big waste of time, totally play this game. Its graphics are on par with...a flaming turd. But hey, if you find long long long leveling time, a horrible transportation system, clunky controls, a very immature player base fun, then go for it. You also must be at least 70% masochist to get past lvl 10."
The biggest plus to FFXI? People like this are weeded out quickly and aren't in our game long. It's a bragging point to me that we don't have these individuals in it when I play other MMORPG's. It has the best community you will find in any game and the reason is simple. In other MMORPG's you must create 8 different characters if you want 8 different jobs. In FFXI you can change jobs and stay the same character so you run across the same people time and time again and you get to know them.
"Honestly, the game stinks. Get EQ2 if you want a good MMO, good graphics, great population, overall awesome game."
Again, backed up by what? How long did you play? Have you played? Sounds like the lady doesth protest too much that you feel you must surf this area just to bash the game. Again, the biggest plus is that we don't have these people in our game.
I wont go through all the points again as another post very much went into detail the good points of the game. Is it perfect? No. What game is? My advise is avoid the game if you find WoW fun (or did find it fun) because this game wont be for you. You cant duo the whole game (you can do to about 26-30 tops). as it'll take you forever and a day to finally get to the end unless you play about 20 hours a day.
EVE - Sharvala
FFXI - Shazamalicious
Guild Wars - Xavier Lucifer & Charlize the Necro
"Ranged...stuck...tree...15 random words... suck... noob fanboy... I MAKE GUIDE!"
"Way to completely back up your argument there chuckles"
Hahaha...Chuckles...I lawled
Originally posted by WSIMike
I agree with your post entirely - except for this one quoted paragraph. I think you're characterizing the game rather narrowly.
Yes, the high-end content (I think "end-game" is a misnomer for FFXI. I don't think it has an "end-game" in the usual sense, because of the way it's setup) is one of the things to look forward to in the game, but I don't agree that it's the "main reason" to play. It might be the main reason why certain people play, but it's not the game's primary focus. That's an approach that is all too common with other MMOs and really doesn't fit in FFXI.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It wasn't my intention to give off the impression that FFXI is only about the end-level content. Rather... it's just that FFXI has one of the most enjoyable endgame scenes that other games lack. How many MMOs have you played where you hit max level and then became pretty bored? This happened to me quite often, whereas in FFXI the endgame content has a large selection and is always being updated by SE to add more.
I wasn't trying to downplay FFXI's other activities such as missions, quests, etc. Those are all fun too, but I quite honestly finished Zilart/CoP and rank missions about a year ago and stopped doing them for the most part. The endgame content has been enough to keep me fully entertained, whereas other games like WoW put me to sleep once I hit max level.
The "journey" part of any MMO is almost always fun - but it's what comes after that is what makes a player decide if he/she wants to keep playing.
Fair enough. Just seemed like you were reducing it down to an "end-game" type of experience based on the whole "the main reason to play" comment.
No worries - like I said, I agreed with your post 100%, except for that one passage.
/salute
and the cash shop selling asphalt..." - Mimzel on F2P/Cash Shops
I havent played FFXI in a couple years but the game you're describing is nothing like I remember. I was in Hiddenpower back when we were pretty much the only HNMLS but the thing I remember most about the FFXI end-game is standing around. Even with limited competition on Asura we spent most of our time sitting around a HNM spawn trying to beat the Japanese players to the tag(which given their much lower ping times was fairly hard to do.) Dynamis was alot of fun but you could only do each section like once a week so that didnt occupy much time. Sky raids were fun at first but eventually it became like WOW instances, just running it over and over to farm the items.
The crafting system is much much better than WOW"s however, it takes some ridiculous dedication to get to the top tiers of some of the crafts but the people who do make a killing, or at least it used to be that way.
The community in FFXI is by far the best I have ever seen. I think it may be due to the necessity of grouping and the fact that people tend not to have "alts" because you can have multiple classes under the same character. If you piss someone off the negative effects stay with you for awhile. Whatever the reason, I have never played with such a great group of people. Playing with people from all over the world is a kick too. More women seem to play FFXI than any other MMORPG i've played as well (yes, they were really women unless they're really good at disguising their voices on Teamspeak)
Theres alot to be said for it but at least when I played, the endgame was kind of the end of the fun. Maybe its changed now though.