Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Quick Links
First Impression
Robb2k03
Member UncommonPosts: 15
This thread is designed for new people who are interested in Final Fantasy XIV but want a better understanding of the Good and the Bad.
Since so many people want to know your gaming experience, and these days everyone is called a "WoW Player" I'd like to start by saying, I was introduced to MMO's by a game called Meridian 59, and shortly after that invested half my life into EQ(1). From there I've played and beta tested nearly every mainstream game - this does not make me an expert - but I hope it gives you an idea on my background.
Anyways, I've been reading the threads on FFXIV and seen mostly negativity. While the game does have a lot of reason to have a negative attitude, there are many things overlooked from the typical reviews that I think add a hidden flavor to FF.
When I first loaded FF, I was immediately taken back by the character creation, one of the best I've used. Not for its extensive amount of features - but mostly the characters themselves and their realistic expressions.
The opening story is different for each main city, I immediately tried all three and finaly chose the one I was most interested in - I won't ruin it for you - but they are exactly what you expect from a Square game, as far as perking your interest and breath-taking detail.
From here, my first impression starts to go south. I admit, I was pretty lost - I wasn't sure why I was where I ended up - or why the main story event was even important to me. After speaking with a few of the NPC's and enjoying the scrolling text, I soon discovered a bit more. My recommendation here is not to focus on your typical mmo play style of running outside, grabbing a ton of quests and beating things to a pulp until you "ding." You need to explore, enjoy, and read. If this doesnt interest you - this may not be the MMO for you.
After finding the first few quests (leves), it took me a long while to navigate through the city - I was completely lost - but mostly enjoying my adventure. I only played Open Beta for about 10 hours, over the course of two days. Part of me wants to keep playing, but I feel that you really have to invest yourself into the game to advance, and I don't want to do that with a character that will be deleted.
Not to bore you any further - lets hit the "Good" points.
1. Character Creation - Breath taking details, fun and interesting character looks and appearance.
2. Facial Expressions - the best I've seen in any MMO, again the Characters are purely enjoyable.
3. Interesting Opening Story - Not to complex, but its a good nudge.
4. Beautiful Scenary - There's no doubt the graphics are top notch.
5. Strategic Combat - Using a "TP" system, you basically spam a single button that reduces your current power - once you get higher level and have many abilities to use, its all about using the right abilites at the right time. While its not all that exciting, it's certainly forces you to pay attention, because the enemies can be down right tough.
Now the reason why you are here - the "Bad" points.
1. Voice Overs - This game seems to be enriched with story - and I feel they left out a crucial element of game play by not adding any voices. Sometimes you are forced to read walls of text during a cut scene - and it would just be so much more enjoyable to actually hear them.
2. Unimportant - I got the feeling my character wasn't that important. While in some of the scenario's he did his best to help others - the other people with him were recognized for the deed. I felt almost like a ghost being pulled a long.
3. No Character Chat Options - Your character doesn't speak, while some may like this - in a story driven world, I would like options to attempt to influence the dialogue.
4. Clunky Controls, UI, etc - After some extensive play you can get used to the controls, but they are a pain. It's mostly the little things - to talk to a vendor there are several button clicks, and you are locked into the conversation with them - you can't right click a vendor, open up there window and simply run away, you have to press escape or cancel several times, with a delay between each before you can move freely again.
5. Empty World - not much out there, no hidden nooks to explore that I found - but again, I didn't play to long, but I did do a lot of running. On the brightside, random Chests do seem to appear, but I never found any when I wasn't on a leve (quest).
6. Crafting is tiring and poorly implemented - Gathering a simple node of ore was a chore, with several menu steps, crafting was confusing, but both can be done, and learned with some research outside of the game.
7. Not new player friendly - It's a dog eat dog world in real life and apparently in FF as well. They teach you next to nothing, and that can be frustrating to new players, especially those new to MMO's.
8. Poor city design and NPC placement - Don't believe me? Just ask the repair guy. In the desert city, he's an unmarked, shopless guy on a random corner, if you dont walk up to randomly talk to him - you'd never know his benefit. I mean, he has no shop or tools, how is he even repairing gear? I'm under the suspicion that Repairing was thrown in last minute. The maps can be confusing, they dont show a general exit, and each city I was in, I spent at least an hour running around searching for an exit.
Final Points - Lets cut the BS - don't tell me "This is beta" as I've played enough games to know two simple facts, first, you can see a lot of changes in the early stages of beta (Vanguard), but you will NOT see massive changes in a closed beta. Tweaks, dialogue changes, adding mobs or items, yes - but not massive UI changes, or overall gameplay changes. I have a lot of questions for Square doubting their business model - they obviously invested a lot into the game, and simple things like controls, UI, and a new player experience (with actual detail on gameplay) could make this game a huge success.
I feel that most of the negative posts comes from frustrated people who simply don't know how to play the game. Every new game, should be quick to learn, hard to master - that's what keeps new/casual players paying, and hardcore players investing their lives.
I will be playing this game on release. And it's not only because I'm starved for a new game, there were quite a few interesting things about FF that I want to see through, and with luck the western audience will get through to square and there will be some dramatic changes to the overall PC experience.
Comments
Robb2k03, that was a much appreciated post. I am probably alone on these forums when I say that I have download restrictions placed upon me which unfortunately prevent me from trying out the beta, unless of course I were to visit a relative to download it, and that's not going to happen. If I could download the beta I doubt that I would because I'd personally prefer to buy it at launch and experience it then. Perhaps I might think the game is terrible when I actually play it, but as of now I'm just enjoying the anticipation of launch day and of exploring the game. Hell that anticipation might be the only joy I get out of the game lol. What I came to this forum was for exactly what you and a few other posters have posted about. A good review with negatives and positives about the game and just wanting a few questions answered. I'm becoming a bit skeptical of how much I might enjoy the game come launch day but I'm going to give it a shot because I don't think I'll really know until I actually play the game, and I'd prefer to do that a launch. Perhaps that's silly and that's fine with me. I have bought games that I wasn't really interested in at launch like Star Trek Online, just because I'm curious and need to experience it myself. Though I do enjoy reading non-hostile posts about a game I'm going to purchase.
Some of the issues you had with the game I can see having as well, perhaps they might just be minor issues but regardless.. here's hoping there will be some fixes.
Thanks for the reply Kaku. The game has a ton of potential - my only real advice is to not be in a rush, take your time with it and I think the game will be a rewarding experience.
Everything you do in the game has a small sense of accompolishment at first, because mostly everything seems tedious, but after you get over the bulk learning experience, it will be one of those few games that actually reward effort.
I think the main reason why I will be playing is because the game reminds me of EQ(1) - not everything is spelled out for you (although I think the obvious basics should be) - and by investing a little bit of time in one area, you can easily advance one aspect of the game - whether it be your class choices, crafting, etc.
The game has a high focus on community - I only hope the community doesn't reflect previous MMO's like WoW. But I highly doubt it will - as most of them won't get over the steep learning curve. A blessing in disguise I guess. My only problem with this is - my g/f and I game together, she's a typical light gamer (most things she doesnt understand) - she will not be playing this game with me, she doesnt like it in the least (besides her cute kitty character of course!). That will be a hard rock to over come - as I may constantly get g/f aggro from playing something she isn't, lol.
Besides EQ, this is the only game out there that makes you actually jump for joy when you get something as simple as a weapon upgrade, or even a freaking tin ore.
LOL well if you ever need someone to group up with I'd join up with you. Assuming you wouldn't mind me stuttering along with my 5 frame per second that I might have lol. The reason you gave for why you think you'll be playing it is exactly the same reason I'll be playing it. I've played WoW for a rather long time and I thoroughly enjoyed it even despite it's notorious community issues (I just found friends along the way and joined a guild with them), but I've really been wanting a change of pace. Part of the reason I bought FFXI was to get a feel for how FFXIV might be and because I really missed that sense of being completely lost and having to figure things out. You're right it does make for a rewarding experience. That's what I want, I've been enjoying FFXI for this reason, even despite friends wanting to give me constant advice and direction.
Do you know yet whether you're getting the Collector's Edition or the regular one? You probably already know this but the Collector's Edition will allow you play on Sept. 22. 8 days before the "official" launch.
I am in deed getting the collectors edition! I'll be on the Besaid server, which is the unofficial RP server. I used to RP in games, but not really anymore - I'm mostly joining it because of the added immerision, and RP'ers tend to be some of the nicest bunch in the community - as long as you respect them
Awesome. Besaid it is. I haven't RP'd since Star Wars Galaxies but I've been wanting to a lot here recently. It really does help with immersion and just makes the game more meaningful and enjoyable I think.
Best first impressions I have read so far, this was a post that was actually helpful. Please post more if you decide to play more!
Yes, I think your post was good.
Thanks
I'm glad you two enjoyed my post. Once the game is fully released and I have a few days of gameplay under my belt - I will be doing a full review on my blog Artist of Apathy. Of course I'll post it here as well - if its not to lengthy.
Kaku - on Besaid my character will be named "Guyris Winters"
Look forward to seeing fellow fans.
I'll buy the PS3 version but only when I see that game is actually worth spending money. This game is set up to play on console and PC version will always have problems. If there will be PvP I can tell you for sure that people playing on PS3 will dominate since interface in FFXIV is made for a controller and not for a mouse and keyboard.
But to be honest and seeing how bad game is fairing so far in Open Beta I won't keep my hopes up. I'll check this game out maybe in the middle of October or a bit later after its out on PS3 and received a batch of patches and bug fixes AND when more leves and overall content is added.
But even at this state I'd still prefer to play FFXIV than Secret World.
I read and respected what you said, and i am hopeful that they (SE) will hear alot of the "constructive criticism" that is around rather than the blatent "this game sucks because .....fill in random blank." and cater to negative press. i will say as far as it not being new player friendly, they are definitely banking on the entire population of FFIX to ship themselves over, which is going to happen weather it be gradual or a sudden flood, so i imagine they would let's say cater to the majority over the new player. and i also think they are banking on the community to be just as helpful as FFXI's was, i was on the remora server and i will say that when i was a new player on there i was shown around by a great bunch of people. now everyone is swearing up and down the game is gonna fail, it's not going to sell, take your pick of negative press, but i think what isn being forgotten is 1: the influx of old players of XI who will want to try this. 2: the stalwart players of XI who played that game everysingle day and are going to migrate. 3: people like me who aren't willing to be guided by anything other than their own personal experience, which it seems you are as well. i used to enjoy XI, and my hope is to enjoy this just as much.
Played:FFXI, WoW, LOTR,EQ. Playing:FFXIV.
Looking Forward To:DCU, SWTOR.
At least o honest reviews with out hate or fanatism. You got good points there, this game as some good and some bad things. Still it merit to be judge fairly. From both side.
Anyway me i can past the flaws and enjoy this game so i will be playing.
Good honest review i think. thanks for posting it.
I am on the fence about this game. I for one do enjoy a harder MMO that doesnt hold you hand the entire way.
While I didnt play EQ1 I started with DAoC the day of release and played that for around 5 years. While I am looking for something that doesnt lead you by the skirt tails everywhere this game seems overly difficult for even simple things like NPC interaction and crafting.
I dont mind difficulty at all, but some of what I have read just seems like artifical time sinks put in to mask a lack of content at release. And that I do mind.
Navigating 5 menus for NPC interaction, and the crafting seems like needless complications for what should be a simpler process.
I may wait for the PS3 release and give it a go. Still have a few weeks to decide if I want to play on release tho.
A very well writen and un-biased review of this game, thank you for posting it OP. Its' nice to see someone take the time to be informative and not combative for a change, it is much appreciated.
(DISCLAIMER - The use of the word YOU in the above post is not directed at any one person in particular, but towards those who fall into the category itself - there is no personal attack here, neither intentional nor implied.)
You are right but for my point of view this is a good thing, since this game is slower in time space than some mmo, it will take more time to get to the endgames so for me it mean more time to play. Look what happen with AOC, it has good content until lvl 20 after that the game was empty and since this was quite easy and fast to get the higher lvl, people had nothing to do after. Same happen with Vanguard and Lotro.
So now with this way SE had more time to add contents.
I'm pretty impressed by the level of respect from the posters following my review. I expected at least half of the comments to be from people who didn't read an ounce of the review and then jump down my throat.
FF is definitely a time sink, it was designed to be for casual players to have 1 main and maybe dabble in light crafting. For the hardcore you have many classes that you can delve in to eat away at your time.
For all the people claiming that this is only a casual game - I think what a lot of people don't realize is that you can use other abilities from other classes which is an added benefit for those who play hardcore. For example - I really want to play a Gladiator, but the Pugilist second wind ability is a minor self heal - which is imperative to solo or even group tanking. So if you have enough time you can gather useful abilities from other classes.
DAOC was a great game, not just for RVR - it reminded me of EQ, just put together a bit better because they learned from EQ's mistakes. I'm not going to say one was better than the other but I throughly enjoyed both.
As far as the new player experience, myself and many others out there do not want our hands held. However, you can use fun and interesting experiences to at least educate your players in game of how your system works. This can be very basic, I'm not asking for an indepth tutorial that holds my hand to craft a legendary weapon. Heck, I would have even been excited for something like the original Final Fantasy games battle books, or "log" that is just text on what each element is. This would at least give new players a refrence to build upon.
The worst thing that you could do, imo, is make players leave your game and seek outside sources for "basic" information on how to play. And this is why I believe so many people are taking a negative approach. With a simple guideline, or a book that you pick up near a crafting table that could teach you the fundamentals of that said craft could go a long way.
Again, thank you for accepting my review, I hope it helped a few of you make a decision to play this game, or in the very least not to waste your money.