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thinking of playing but...
rubydragon5
Member UncommonPosts: 693
I am currently one of those people in transition. Looking for that awesome mmorpg.
I played FFXI about 2 years ago and hated it. Mainly because the controls were awkward and all I did was spend time running around. Also there was no feel of immersion.
My questions:
What has changed since then?
Is it still a must group with someone game? Im alll up for grouping but like to solo some times also.
Has any kind of pvp been introduced?
Is there crafting?
were the graphics ever updated?
last question how many servers are there and how many people on each server population about?
I played FFXI about 2 years ago and hated it. Mainly because the controls were awkward and all I did was spend time running around. Also there was no feel of immersion.
My questions:
What has changed since then?
Is it still a must group with someone game? Im alll up for grouping but like to solo some times also.
Has any kind of pvp been introduced?
Is there crafting?
were the graphics ever updated?
last question how many servers are there and how many people on each server population about?
Comments
FFXI still largely requires you to group to level, although there are some things you can do solo. There has been some work on making the game a little more solo friendly, most notably the partner NPC you can quest for. There's some arena-style PvP in Ballista and Brenner. YES, there's crafting (always has been) and it is, IMHO, quite good. The graphics are about to get an update with the introduction of the Xbox 360 version (but not a big update, probably the most important thing is that they'll be raising the draw distance limit). There are 32 servers, and there are well over 10,000 on each one, some may have over 20,000.
Incidentally, if you found the controls awkward, you might want to invest in a game pad (I have a Logitech RumblePad 2, which is what Square recommends, and I've been happy with it). The game was originally designed for the PS2 and the mouse controls, frankly, suck, but it plays very smoothly with a gamepad.
Chris Mattern
I know that feeling, when i started i did not have a clue what to do. This can easily make you think the game sucks. It's got a very steep learning curve.
I do like the keyboard controls. It took me a while to get used to them and to learn how to make macros. But since then it's a breeze. (joypad i never tried but should be good if you are used to console type gaming)
I would say that FFXI has probably the best immersion of all. You just need some time to unravel the story. The Plot and Cutscenes and the whole backstory of the world is in typical Final Fantasy style and very detailed.
There is plenty of PvP.
There is one of the best crafting systems.
Personally i think the graphics are great.
During normal times there are between 2000-3000 people online at the same time. Some Servers even see a top of 4000 online.
As you can see by my sig, you know what I'm playing now but I won't turn this into a "go WoW, FFXI sucks" post like many people.
I played FFXI for about 3 years and had a lot of leveled jobs, etc etc. I remember FFXI 2 years ago and I felt it was actually fun then. So IMO, if you didn't like it then you're gonna hate it now.
To answer your questions:
PvP was obviously an afterthought in FFXI and wasn't designed to support it. Here's an example: Ballista (one of FFXI's PvP arena's of combat of sorts) requires a certain level at a certain time and a certain amount of people to show up or it gets cancelled and you have to wait for a RL hour.
Unless you're a BST it is impossible to solo mobs of your level and consistantly grind xp for yourself. You must put your flag up and wait for a group or try to build one on your own. In the early levels you have to wait for healers and tanks and in the later levels you have to wait for bards and red mage to log on. There are hybrid PT's of course but in order to get the xp that's worth your time you need a refresher. I can go on and on but you get the point.
There is crafting but it's pretty expensive to cap and very very tedious. I was a goldsmither (the most expensive) and I spent millions upon millions. I made a lot but it takes a while to get your investment back.
As for server populations, I'm sure with the new expansion, 360 release etc etc the pop's will swell. I remember a time where PT's were side by side in Valk Dunes, Qufim, the jungles, Cape Terrigan and so on. About the time I left a few months ago it had declined to the point where I was LFG for hours. I had several jobs, alt characters and still had trouble consistantly getting groups like I used to. Like I said, I had a fair amount of gil so all my toons had great gear, proper races and I was always complimented on my skills. (didn't want anyone to say "what were you, a taru WAR/WHM?" lol)
The graphic are real good and the music isn't bad. I didn't care for working so hard to get certain equips and seeing 100 other guys in Jeuno wearing the same stuff I was. But having said that, it still looks nice.
Many things have changed in the past two years. New areas, new dynamis, many new items, new fishing system all come to mind. New quests of course, XP items (boost xp gained for short bursts of time)
I guess in closing all I can say ask yourself what kind of gamer you are. Do you dedicate your time to a toon for a few months to have a little fun or do you want to build one to see endgame content? FFXI is past its prime just like EQ got over time. You can only polish a game for so long and eventually people see through the shine as they compare it to the other games around it. FFXI was fun back in the day (many people disagree) and I'm sure people still find a way to have fun with it. I played it for as long as I did because I had my toon capped and had many friends. Back in the old days people leaving was a rare thing, but around the time I left I saw people leaving almost every week. When I say "people" leaving I mean guys and gals I played with for years. I left because the economy went in the crapper after Xmas and there weren't enough of my friends on any more.
Like I said at the start, yeah I'm playing WoW and I'm having fun. Is WoW the best game around? Nah, probably not, but it works for me. It's fun because I can solo, PvP, and play different jobs/races (without an extra fee) Most importantly I can PLAY, not wait for a quest group or xp group. Don't even say "Well why don't you go farm or craft while you wait?" If you get the itch to tie a few levels on your toon going off kill goobs for cuttings with a bunch of gil sellers in NOT my idea of a good time. WoW's graphics aren't as tight as FFXI IMO but atleast I don't have to fight 100,000 crabs that look exactly the same. Or a 1,000,000 weapons and statues once you hit 75.
In closing, FFXI isn't bad but it has some real downers too. I really liked it when it came out and I hung with it for a long time. Is it going to be any good 2-3 years from now? Could be, but I highly doubt it. If you're just gonna play for a year or so until "the next big thing" comes out (sorta like I'm doing with WoW) then it will probably work for you. If you're looking for that epic game that will wrap you up for years like UO, EQ or FFXI once did for many people then you may want to pass. Here's a good analogy that will sum this whole post up:
Would you like to join the Roman Empire at its beginning or at its decline?
I hope I wasn't bashing too bad, I was just trying to be honest and helpful. Good luck with your games everyone.