My first Beta impression and how i became a fan of FF XIV

While playing RoM now after leaving AoC bcs all friends left as it is such an incomplete game waiting for SWTOR, Secret World or maybe even GW2 it was a decision by random chance to test FF XIV bcs i only know the FF-Series is a video game console game series and i do not own any vgc.

My first Beta-Impressions:

The Account Site is very easy to navigate - nothing leads you wrong.

The setup of the account was very easy.

The Download of the Beta was hurtfull, slow, annoying - i can live with that as it is a rare act to download such big files.

The installation was easy - but the game configuration is hidden in the start menu while PC Gamers look for it ingame.

The chargenerator is easy to handle - you miss some hints about how to move the char while building it.

Choosing the Startcity - Ul'Dahn looked the best for me (i did later look into every story intro of every city and each is formidable!)

Ul'Dahn story starts, monsters breaks free, game tells you to switch to combat mode:

"Ehh?...what the heck shall i do?...How?..." Feeling a bit upset about the lack of hints.

Monster fights with npcs while old time gamer looks into menus if there is a help or hint and finally in the Options is a keyboardsetup...aha...maybe its that key.

"Ah it works, uhhh, why do not atack?"

The combat text is hard to read on the textures as the textbox has no darker background.

"Seems i am to far away maybe i go towards it."

While doing my first stroke the game decides to end the sequence and npc hits monster for 5000+ damage, story moves on.

Deepply impressed by the presentation of the story!

Even i only can read the text to understand what happens as i am not english it catches me emotional, of the dramatic, acting, sound, telling.

Finally arriving into the Adventurers Guild after talking to every npc around.

Midget Woman approaches me and Story moves on, ends and no sign tells me what to do.

A bit confuse and still unaware how the UI really works i try the common keys to target etc. and some work.

Finding out how to speak with npcs and finally i go further in the storyquest talking the midget woman again.

Try to get used to the UI but its so strange to me, the mouse is so laggy and i have noe clue what keys work so i decide to get into the options and write down any key i can use.

Finally i get somewhat enlightened what controls i can use and start to explore all around in the city speaking with any npc i can find stumbling over some hints at different places but whow, the game is not convenience mode it seems.

As i am not the type needing fast action immedietly i move on to explore the city and finally following the hint to go out to a specific camp.

For sure i have no guildquest with me and still i am unaware of the exlcamation mark on top of the screen that shows points of action so i could not do a quest anyway.

"I am in this camp now, how the hell does it work here to make an

Looking into menus i find nothing until i move a step more into the camp and see a new option has apeard.

"Hah! What is this...?"

"Hey there is some sign on top of the screen and i ahve a new option - interestging"

Finally i get some clue how it works and from now on its easy with the ui.

I use more and more the Keyboard while the mouse is only for adjusting camera and direction of running/walking.

It feels not that bad as i am fomr a time there was no mouse at all and i am faster with keys than mouse.

Now that i am more and more comfortable with the controls i can concentrate on the game.

Oh what beautyfull it is, the wilderness looks so realistic, i can see pc and mobs from the far, no level hoovering over a mob, only a coloured indicator and how detailed they made the armors and weapons this is fantastic!

I have said it and i say it again, the storys are formidable and the excitement, if there is more of that is as hig has the mount everest.

Omg i can play all classes with one char?

I can choose of most skills to use it with nay other (combat)class i want to play?

Groups up to 15 poeple?

There is tactical groupfighting?

The economy is player driven and is not only about clicky hasty?

I can have a npc servant storing and selling items for me?

There is exploring of a huge beautyfull world with very different regions?

There is much more to come with deep game mechanics?

A dream must come true!

So in about 1 day of playing the beta i have become a fan of Final Fantasy XIV and if only half my hopes come true i will trash any ambitions to play SWTOR, Secret World or GW2 instantly!!!