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A recent review of the game for anyone considering purchase.
Kaldrannath
Member Posts: 22
I just bought the Vana'Diel collection to give it a shot. I would have tried FFXI long ago, but I was warned off. I figured now, though, after a good few years under their belt, that it would be a ripe choice. I was disappointed, to say the least. After 3 hours (and that's being generous) installing and updating (both the Playonline service, which is required to play FFXI, and FFXI), fumbling around with the UI and various help screens trying to adjust the graphics and other settings for another hour or more, and then finally giving up (I resigned myself to just getting used to the interface) so I could try some of the gameplay, I can only shake my head and sigh. I know this game has a cult-ish following and I don't mean to offend, but I had to say something.
- The UI is NOT intuitive at all. I had an easier time learning to use Eve-online's UI and navigating its tutorials.
- The graphics in general are horrible, even down to the nametags floating above your characters head. "Fuzzy" was a word that came to mind and my eyes began to hurt. I wish I could say I were exaggerating.
- Animations were pretty cool. Watching a character run seemed more realistic than any other MMO I've played, but once inside the game, the world was empty and NPCs were stationary. The world felt dead.
- Story seemed to hold some hope and that's usually all I need, but when my first mission took me to a nearby mine to grab a report and return and I found I could just run by mobs with no fear of being attacked...
I'll admit that I may not have given the game enough of a chance, but my argument in my defense would be to tell you that there's nothing about the game that made me want to.
Save your money for something better and good gaming.
Comments
- The UI is NOT intuitive at all. I had an easier time learning to use Eve-online's UI and navigating its tutorials
This is a matter of preference. In reference to your example: If Eve did not have a tutorial you would cry trying to find things. Also you have to remember that this is a ported game from japan and the menus are organized in Japanese Style (Big->Small->smallest)
- The graphics in general are horrible, even down to the nametags floating above your characters head. "Fuzzy" was a word that came to mind and my eyes began to hurt. I wish I could say I were exaggerating.
You are using the wrong resolution. Did you set it 2048x2048 like so many FAQs say how to here?
- Animations were pretty cool. Watching a character run seemed more realistic than any other MMO I've played, but once inside the game, the world was empty and NPCs were stationary. The world felt dead.
90% of MMOs have bland starting towns. The point is to get you out exploring. They dont want you in the town when you start off. Please go to Jeuno or better yet Whitegate and say the same about this.
- Story seemed to hold some hope and that's usually all I need, but when my first mission took me to a nearby mine to grab a report and return and I found I could just run by mobs with no fear of being attacked...
The first three missions are pie. things will get difficult when you get to mission 2-3 where you have to fight a dragon. Also 99% of MMOs have starting areas where you have little fear of being attacked. where as 99% of the end game areas monsters will be more then happy to come kill you if you let them.
-I'll admit that I may not have given the game enough of a chance, but my argument in my defense would be to tell you that there's nothing about the game that made me want to.
And your writing this horrible review because you want to detour people from even trying it. You did not give it time or even begin to experience what depth the game has to offer. Why did you even bother to post this when you basically loaded up the game logged in said it sucked and quit? You are offering no help to people that want try this game and waisting their time.
P.S. Please stop trying to feel special by making your text different. It hurts my eyes and make it more annoying to read, though most people wont say it.
Yeah, I know the post before me pretty much covered everything. I just had to put my two gil in still.
To be the best, you must help each other become the best.
FFXI Character: Satimasu
FFXI Server: Valefor
FFXIV Character: Tamorae Fonteil
I'll take some of your advice sincerely and leave the rest.
In regards to why I posted the response...
I was unable to find any recent, honest assessments of the game prior to purchasing it. As I'm sure you know, many of the positive reviews that one will find here or on other websites dedicated to gaming, such as Gamespot, are written under bias and it's difficult to sort fact from fluff. I'll admit that my review was not well organized, but it was a spontaneous and honest initial assessment and I think people can appreciate that. I know I would.
The tone of your reply motivates me to uninstall the game and write the $30 I paid for it off as a loss, but you obviously are a loyal fan and I have to believe that there is something about the game that inspires that in you. So, against my better judgement I'll give the game another shot, but I have some questions for you.
If you were a developer of an MMO, or any RPG game for that matter, why would you purposely make the starting experience boring? It is precisely that experience that will excite a player to play on!
Where are these FAQ's you mention in regards to how to set up the resolution on the game? I checked the help links with Playonline, the FFXI official website, the ffxiplayerguide...shouldn't this information be readily available?
I'm going to stop here. It wasn't my intention to be argumentative, only to provide a first impression of the game and I'll stand by that impression unless something changes, in which case, I'll be sure to post my apologies here.
Thanks, man, for the positive reply.
I did use the FFXI Config to adjust the resolution (to 1920X1200, my monitor's native), but the graphics still seem fuzzy. Any other suggestions? I'll try anything. I'm more than ready to learn the UI if I can just get the game in focus.
This game really isn't boring in the beginning at all. I'll just assume you couldn't really get over the UI on how it was set up, so you were hampered in being about to get around effectively. What I meant was that you start with nothing and work your way up. I can't say the starter cities are boring, at least San d'Oria isn't to me. I can spend a lot of my time there.
You can try http://ffxiclopedia.org/wiki/Main_Page . It has lots of good info for you that can help you out. The Official website does have a new players guide there. You must not have seen it. Anyway, if you have any more questions, feel free to ask.
To be the best, you must help each other become the best.
FFXI Character: Satimasu
FFXI Server: Valefor
FFXIV Character: Tamorae Fonteil
Oh, and by chance you are running Vista, you need to download an extra patch (I'm not sure where from).
I got the same impression that the OP did.
The graphics either look sucky or lag down my graphics card (somehow, seems impossible).
The in-game characters are fatter than their creation screen counterparts. The elvaan look cool in creation, but really really wierd in-game. The humes have the same effect. I don't even want to try the other ones.
Theres no way of easily finding a quest or mission other than running around town, talking to every NPC until you get lucky.
I would like to add that this game isn't so much of an MMORPG as it is a SPGPWOP (Single Player Game Played With Other People). It's dead, has absolutely no community, and like OP said, is like a ghost town. It's like nobody plays it.
I'm writing it off as a $30 loss. A worse loss than GuildWars was, even though GW was $50, at least I got quality.
Don't bother buying this game, it's an over-hyped money-pit made by playonline to rob you of your cash. If they wanted to make a nice game, they really could have. But the fact is, they didn't, they ripped all of us off.
Sadly, GameStop doesn't allow you to return PC games.
On the other hand, I'll be damned if I don't get at least $30 worth of gameplay out of this load, so I'll keep pressing on like its the badly made 1-player game everybody deep-down knows it is.
If somebody would have given me a freakin buddy code to start with (like I nicely requested and waited patiently for), I wouldn't have wasted my time and money.
Honestly, I don't get how you think it's a horribly made one-player solo game. This game is all about team work in a lot of situations. I can tell people to buy this game. It has a fantastic story, awesome job system, crafting, events, endgame, ect. It's not going to be for everyone obviously. But, with 500k subscribers, it has to appeal to some people. I keep getting the feeling that something didn't go well with you and the game, but I suggest you keep playing and try to keep an open mind. If you do have questions, you could PM me or ask here or whatever you wish. I'll answer them.
To be the best, you must help each other become the best.
FFXI Character: Satimasu
FFXI Server: Valefor
FFXIV Character: Tamorae Fonteil
For the record. this is what you will miss by stopping a hour into the game. Here is what i did as a leader of a HNM shell on bahamut.
A Day in the Life of Hokuten:
I log in @ 2:00 EST after i get out of clases and have the rest of the day off due to finals. i do /sea all linkshell and see 48 people online. 30 of them are camping a HNM. i go join them it pops and we kill it when it dose. then we break up into teams of 8 and go do Salvage. we spend 100 Min of doing fun stuff killing mobs and having a grand old time. We then get out of salavge and a group of my friends go do an ENM. we get some money drops but nothing grand. It is now time for limbus. we gather up and go in with 15. we have some hard fun fights and some people got the items they need along with a few unwanted. After that i go to dinner and when i get back to play for a bit more they are farming in Sea. I join them for about a hour before i log and go to bed. By this time the early EU's are on and they come and the contenue to farm after i logout. Tomorrow we plan on camping and fighting some of the most difficult monsters in the game b/c we will have the most people on then. Saturday we do dynamis where everyone comes and we will have fun with SE not giving us drops. At the moment we have 68 people in our linkshell from around the world (27 countries i believe) and we are all family. We work our asses off but have fun and enjoy doing it.
How do you see this game as a single player game when you put no effort into seeing the content? right now i am rank 10 windy with every mission in the game done. the story is amazing and has a depth of most single player games while forcing group dynamics that a MMO offers. There is no solo play in this game past level 25. the only people that want to play solo are those who know what they are doing and dont want others to hold them back, people who want to prove how good they are by soloing something difficult, and those who have no idea of how to play this game.
If your going to play a MMO, play it for 30 days not 30 minuets. Then make your 'review'
I have played this game for more than 30 days and it is not what I expected. Now yes, it promotes group play and stuff and no after lvl10 or maybe you can solo up to lvl25 the game forces you to group. I myself like to group sometimes, but most of the time I like soloing. Now I really thought that FFXI would be better than this. It is not the $12.95 a month to play. Some love the game and some don't. My advice is try the trail or even try it for 30 days. But I will say this WOW is 20 X better then FFXI.
Exactly, you came in with a WoW mentality. They are two different animals. It's no different from any other FF game where you start out solo and end up partying for the rest of the game. The only difference is that the other party members are not being controlled by you.
How could you think it would have been better than what? Basically letting you solo to 75 and then party with people when you need to do endgame content? Then have to party and then have no idea how teamwork works?
I still never will understand people wanting to pay to play solo only in an "MMO"RPG. You might as well play a console RPG and you'd get the same experience without the month payment or other people you wouldn't have to talk to.
To be the best, you must help each other become the best.
FFXI Character: Satimasu
FFXI Server: Valefor
FFXIV Character: Tamorae Fonteil
aye the games are very different. WoW vs FFXI is very different. Yes WoW you can solo, and everything is instant satisfaction, and you don't lose xp so you can just run die...get your body....die..take the 10 minute penalty and the "sickness" and BOOM back to questing! I enjoyed WoW the 2 months i played it. Was cool, but questing happened so fast and so obvious about killing x creatures. Then they give you lots of money and by level 30 you have experienced the game. You can solo most the game except instances and most is handed to you on a platter. Which is cool cause thats what the games about. Fast leveling for endgame. FFXI is different, more work, takes longer, can't solo -> forced group party, no one really does quests. They are very different games thats like comparing WoW to a full-loot mmo. different beasts. Similarities yes, but the due differ more.
And to those with issues navigating the UI...don't say its a bad game because you can't read the instruction manual...cause seriously...it really isnt hard...try exploring the game. Try social interaction...
either way. They are very different games. FFXI takes a while to get into. So instead of spending $30 on the game a 1 month trial for 1.99 is out there...lol should do more research on a game before buying it then stating your opinion.
-Maltos-
In 2005 I picked up WoW and I played that for 2 years as well. It definitely fit my time frame (work/gym/play) and I really enjoyed its faster/soloing pace. I attained a Gnome 64 WAR (raided with this one pre-expansion) and a Orc 52 WAR (first character I played). I quit shortly after the expansion came out.
If I were to pick which mmo I like the best I'd still say FFXI but when it comes to time management gaming WoW is spot on.
If days were 10 hrs longer on average I'd consider playing FFXI again
i definately agree that WOW and FF11 are two totally diffrent games. each are good in there own way and i enjoyed both. FF11 still gets me going though. i dont know what it is about it. i may stop for awhile but i gotta come back to it lol. i actually love how the game makes you work for everything. it makes anything you accomplish feel more worthwhile. ive been playing for like 4 years and still dont have a level 75 yet and still havent done tons of things the game offers. (or course that kind of comes from the fact that im lazy and procrastinate a lot)
i didnt play WOW much but i can see why people would find it fun. graphics are fun to look at and i like the fact that the devs incorporate alot of pop culture into the game. like how some characters are modeled after other game characters, or how they reference diffrent movies and genres during quests or areas.
people really should give FF11 a chance though. I know alot of players have heard bad things about the game, but that shouldnt stop you from trying it out and getting a few good levels and hours under your belt. the community and storyline and topnotch. job system is awesomely fun and parties are just an absolute blast. i cant wait to get into parties cause there so much fun and the friends you can make is one of best reasons to play the game. and if your on a pc please invest in a controller. it makes the game control waaayyyy better.
I played FFXI at launch. I loved the game itself. I keep wanting to come back and try it again, but I found out that my characters are probably dead and gone by now. Not sure I really want to start completely over, honestly.
I don't recall having to tweak settings all that much. I think I've had to tweak more in EQ2 than any other game I've tried (well, other than Vanguard). I remember that one of my friends had several issues with his video card/drivers and the game at that time (radeon 9800/9600 allin wonder or something, I don't remember).
Anyway, I think the biggest issue with trying an 'older MMO" AFTER you play a new MMO is that the newer MMO's have updated UI's and are typically more polished/finished. I mean, they supposedly learn from the mistakes of other games when they make new one's, right?
I do think that anyone coming from WoW to another game will have a lot to deal with, learning curve-wise. WoW is so mod friendly and highly customizable (SP?).
Overall, the OP has their opinion and I can certainly see some of their points.
Maybe I should choose just to remember this game the way I originally played and enjoyed it?
Probably dead? That means you don't know or not. It might still be there if you canceled. As a matter of fact, I was able to restore a friend's character from 4 years ago when they had that "Welcome Back Campaign". It was deleted and all that. It ended in February though. They have one every year though. Just had to point that out.
To be the best, you must help each other become the best.
FFXI Character: Satimasu
FFXI Server: Valefor
FFXIV Character: Tamorae Fonteil
To all those this applies to (mainly the op):
I don't mind that people don't get a game that I love. It's not for everyone. No game is for everyone. However, you show your complete lack of intelligence when you come onto message boards and slam a game that you didn't play long enough to even right an intelligent review about. The OP here spent more time installing the damn game then playing it. I really wish that there was a questionaire for buying this game. "Do you play WoW?" "Do you expect this game to be anything like it?" If you answer yes to both they just don't allow you to purchase the game.
This isn't WoW. This isn't EVE Online. This isn't <enter your game here>. This is Final Fantasy XI. It has a steep learning curve. If you didn't figure that out before you purchased the game then you didn't research it enough and that's your fault, not SE's. Which, btw, brings me to another point. Another poster didn't play the game long enough to know this game isn't made by a company called "Play Online". Hell, you obviously don't play Final Fantasy games period as everyone who does, knows, they are made by Square-Enix.
Anyways, i don't typically mind bad reviews of the game. I hate ignorant reviews of the game. And granted when I first started playing, i didn't care for it much either. But unlike you clods I knew I needed to give it time to adjust and see what it was like once I got into the meat of the game. Which, i'm glad I did or i would have missed one helluva game.
Also, one difference between FFXI and WoW is that FFXI is like a second job. People play this game for years and still don't cover everything there is to do. So if you don't have the time and dedication to spend to it. Don't bother. This game is not about instant reward. It's for working for the good gear. But once you camp that Valkrum Emperor for the 7th straight day and finally get claim and get the drop. You wear that damn hairpin with pride. I got mine years ago and I still sport that thing proudly. Tell me of something similar in WoW. (By the way, i know you can't. Why? Because I play WoW too.)
EVE - Sharvala
FFXI - Shazamalicious
Guild Wars - Xavier Lucifer & Charlize the Necro
"Ranged...stuck...tree...15 random words... suck... noob fanboy... I MAKE GUIDE!"
As someone who has not played the game, a recent review from someone who is new to the game would be nice.....but this doesn't do it. It's not really even a review, it's more of a quick observation. There is no substance. Nothing at all on the gameplay. Making an issue of not getting attacked on your first newbie quest makes no sense at all. Most every MMORPG is set up that way. Who wants to be getting swarmed by MoBs while they are still trying to figure out how things work? It is hard to value the opinion of someone who would nitpick something like that.....or that would refer to the people that like the game as " a cult-ish following". I'm not sure why you felt it necessary to write a review after, what appears to be, no more than 10 minutes of playing. You spent far more time installing it.
Aright. To all of you who took the time to post a reply to my original post...
I have continued to play FFXI since I installed it and I have leveled my character to a Rank 2, 14/7 warrior/white monk (I took on the extra class early in order to group with friends and still allow for decent experience numbers to be garnered by all of us. I have one other character as well, a level 6 Black Mage) and I have finished three of the missions. Some of you longer-time players can, I'm sure, accomplish this in a day or two, but as we all know, it takes a little longer for a new player. Anyway, I can't tell you exactly how much time on the computer that equates to, but it's been, I think, long enough to edit, change, and clarify my original observations.
In regards to the graphics issues - I searched through various forums on various websites and eventually came to a sticky post that taught me how to adjust my resolutions through the Windows registry. The FFXI Config utility through the Windows Start -> Programs menu seemed to work as it was intended, but for whatever reason, it did not allow for the background graphics to be adjusted to 1920 x 1200 or higher, which is what it appears I needed to do in order to get things going on my system. I then used the in-game options to fine tune the picture. Once I did all this, the graphics were at least as good as any other game I've played online. I've never had to do this with a game previously and I don't believe that any game should require a consumer to go through that kind of hassle just to get the game running properly. I appreciate knowing how to do this now, however.
UI. A friend of mine who bought the game at the same time set up his computer to run with one of his Xbox controllers and said that the game plays much better that way. I don't have and don't intend to buy a console system or gamepad and must use my keyboard/mouse. For a cross-console game and especially a game that has a long history of being a console game first, FFXI's UI makes sense even if it isn't the most comfortable to use initially. Once I realized that the survival of my character doesn't depend on my own ability to click quickly like many other games do, and that I can to a limited extent prepare some abilities (by clicking all the buttons to activate the ability then waiting for the right moment to use it), I began to appreciate the UI design more. It is inventive if not intuitive. In defense of FFXI's UI, I'll admit that what I thought of as intuitive was largely based on the other games I had played, most of which are designed very similarly with action bars and buttons, not menus. In defense of my previous statements, it took my friends and I a long time to work through what each key on the keyboard does. The instructional materiel that comes with the game isn't thorough. I still can't seem to get a Provoke macro to work and the manual doesn't explain how to do this in enough detail or at all, for example. Yes, I have searched forums online...with no success yet.
I think it's important to add here that I can't Alt-Tab FFXI when I want to browse the internet for solutions to my questions regarding the game. I am forced to close the game. This was annoying enough that I set up my old laptop to use as my browser and I would venture to say that I spent more time sifting forums than I have playing the game.
The world...
I'm still in Bastok and the world still feels dead. I'm told, though, that Bastok is a very quiet city compared to others. Apparently I can't access the airship until 20th level and after I complete the mission that gives me an airship pass as a reward. Running to Jeuno doesn't seem like an option unless I have a few hours to waste. Am I doing something wrong?
I'm not sure what's going on with the story yet and that's fine, but I wish there were more missions. I'm at a point now where I need to attain Rank 3 to continue. I've completed a good number of quests and have repeated some a few times. I'm at that point now where I think my only option is to grind exp, turn in crystals, and continue to repeat quests for rank points (I've never liked the idea of repeating quests, btw, but that's just me.) Every game seems to include these lulls. In this regard FFXI is no different. I await the game that keeps me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.
Camping. I've tried to kill the black wolf for the choker quest for hours. If I were to guess, I'd say I've killed the mob around 10 times now. For those who don't know, he spawns only at night and in the location where I hunt him, he spawns maybe three times each night along a road. Given passersby and other people hunting him, I've killed him anywhere from 0-3 times a night. I've gained a couple of levels in the process (killing other roaming mobs), but still no choker. I don't mind a little camping now and again, but this is too much at this level and I can't imagine that the reward will be worth the hours spent. I know you can buy the choker in the AH when it's there, but the prices in Bastok are severely elevated due to the fact that the quest originates there and money comes slowly to a new character. This may be an isolated issue, but it's got me down.
EXP. I've read quite a bit on how the exp system works, but I'm not sure I understand well enough. I solo most of the time, even when my friends are on. We've all stopped grouping for the most part because lower levels in a party take a severe exp hit and it's just not productive for them. EXP chains help, but not enough at this level when you can only get one or two. They have stopped playing, actually, because of it. I have been told that I need to get to 20th level for party exp to even out.
This brings up a good point, I think. I just finished reading an article about Age of Conan that addresses the same subject regarding exp and levels. People playing characters of levels 1-19 in the AoC beta are being told that they need to reach 20th level in order for the game to begin. The same seems to be true for FFXI. I don't know about you all, but playing a game only for the sake of gaining levels is a quick drag. Personally, I'd rather the levels occur as I play through a storyline. I'm not a powergamer.
Inventory. I run out of space in my inventory all the time. When I'm out in Palborough Mines and need to run back to Bastok to sell or drop items off in my apartment, well, that's a lot of wasted time and frustrating. Any advice in this regard? Is there a way to increase your individual inventory?
I really enjoyed the feel of the game starting out (after all the hassles getting it going.) I've been a fan of the FF games for a long time and it was a relief to finally be able to play. FFXI continues the FF theme/feel/atmosphere - whatever you want to call it - and I like that. I also really appreciate the pace that FF games (including FFXI) offer. That is to say, I don't feel so rushed or pushed to keep playing or play faster. After a couple weeks now, I still enjoy the game, but I have to say I'm losing interest and my sessions are becoming shorter and fewer.
Finally, it wasn't my intention to piss anyone off with my initial comments. I was extremely frustrated and disappointed and though I still feel they aren't exactly inaccurate, they are too extreme. Likewise, I won't take anything anyone said here personally. I'm sure you were also angered by some of my initial observations.
Peace.
Kemih ~ 13 Red Mage | Currently playing FFXI & LOTRO, awaiting Warhammer Online & Aion...
My suggestion. Get into a linkshell. Dont be afraid to ask people for a pearl. And if your in a linkshell ask your LS members for help and advice. A good linkshell will guide you through all the things you need to do to survive. Now they wont hold your hand and do the stuff for you. But they should be able to set you off on the right path to success.
Make some new friends. Talk to higher level people about things. Im sure if you socialized a little bit one of those higher level people would take you to get your tele crystals and escourt you to jeuno.
Bottom line dont be shy. Have fun and be a chatterbox. People dont mind if you bug them with questions.
Thanks for the follow up Kaldrannath. Much better than the original review.
It sounds like you are sticking with the mouse and keyboard. It's seems like everyone is recommending a controller pad. How difficult is it using the mouse and keyboard?
Its much easier with just the keyboard and no; not using the mouse! The 9-key pad controls all ur movements, selections, zoom, auto-run, menus, targeting, etc, and the 4 arrow keys nearby controls the camera.
Remainder of the keyboard is for typing, macros, & canceling actions with esc.
Not sure how playing with a controller is easier or better...yeah its a console game ported to PC, but bleh can't stand a controller unless I'm playing on a console....and yeah I've tried it before and its just not as good as the keyboard!
Kemih ~ 13 Red Mage | Currently playing FFXI & LOTRO, awaiting Warhammer Online & Aion...