Final Fantasy XI Review (no fat)

Game Description

SquareSoft is well known for its highly successful single player Final Fantasy games. Beautiful graphics, solid storyline and characters, and a well thought combat system make these games excellent RPGs. Teaming up with Enix they decided to enter the rapidly growing market of MMORPGs, and thus Final Fantasy XI was born. First of all this game is based on an established franchise and this gives a lot of potential from start.

An interesting technical aspect that should be mentioned is that both PS2 and PC players play on the same game servers through Square’s PlayOnline service. Also a somewhat unusual (and highly annoying at times) feature is that you can’t choose the server you start on. It is chosen randomly. If you want to start with some friends on the same server you either keep recreating characters until you get lucky or one of the characters has to purchase World Passes in-game allowing others to enter that server.

Final Fantasy XI Gameplay

Final Fantasy XI doesn’t reinvent the genre, nor does it bring truly new features. It follows the traditional MMORPG recipe with a few twists and tweaks that distinguish it from the rest. On the large scale the game mechanics revolves around the conquest system.

There are 3 nations in Vana’diel: the Republic of Bastok, the Kingdom of San D’Oria and Federation of Windurst. You have to choose to one of these nations as you start. They are not at war but they compete for territory through comparing monster kills of each nation’s players and the collecting of some special crystals. You don’t have to take part in helping your nation (by acquiring these crystals) if you don’t want to.

There are five playable races in the game: the Hume, Elvaan, Galka, Mithra and Tarutaru each having a certain specialization, except the Hume which is considered jack of all trades. You have only a few character customization options at the start of the game. You also have to select of the six starting classes called Jobs: Warrior, Monk, Thief, White Mage, Black Mage and Red Mage. Each mage has a different specialty, White being healing and protection, Black is offensive while Red is more versatile with both offensive and defensive spells.

Similarly, each race is adapt to different jobs and players have to consider the race they play while choosing a profession, or the other way round depending on your priorities. For Instance, while there are no restrictions that bar Galkas from taking up mage-hood for a profession, it would be a waste of the poor guys talents as a physical fighter and ‘tank’…even if we forget about the utter disrespect shown to the profession made for far more ‘intelligent’ races

Once you reach level 18 and complete the quests designated to the professions, you can choose a secondary job which makes your character more versatile. The secondary job can only be half your primary job’s level thus much less powerful. There are also special classes for high level characters like the Paladin, Samurai or Dragoon.

Creating more than two new characters costs an extra 1$ per month for each character which can be annoying for some players. Fortunately the Final Fantasy XI class system is very flexible because you can change your characters profession anytime.

Final Fantasy XI Traveling

Vana’diel is an enormous place and sometimes traveling by foot is simply too time consuming. Fortunately there are several alternatives. You can rent and ride a Chocobo to travel on land, once you reach level 15. You can also use seafaring ships and flying air ships but it’s very expensive...not to mention the other risks that come through traveling by sea.

Final Fantasy XI Combat

While there isn’t much you can hold against this game, FFXI’s turn based combat hasn’t won too many fans at all. The combat itself is quite simple. You target the enemy and your character attacks automatically. As you deal and receive damage you will accumulate Tactical points and once you have enough you execute powerful special moves. The starting character is quite capable of soloing the creatures you encounter until about level 15-20, without much difficulty.

But once your level rises you are practically forced to join a group because fighting in a group becomes more effective and profitable. The interface is quite unconventional because of the port from PS2 and you will need a few hours to get used to it, but after that it works just fine.

Party play can be a lot of fun when you have a good party at your side. However, that is not always the case and there can be times when an overly ambitious mage can use up his Mana attacking foes, leaving his wounded partners high and dry.

Final Fantasy XI Economy

There is a lot more to FFXI besides combat. Final Fantasy XI, like most good MMO games, has a dynamic, player driven economy. The currency in Vana’diel is FFXI gil and there are many ways to earn it. The most simple and straightforward way is through selling the items you find through combat.

One of the most valuable commodities in the world of Vana’diel are the crystals. You can find them by killing monsters but only when a special Signet spell is cast upon you. Usually you can ask some NPCs like guards to cast it on you. There are many different types, one for each element: Darkness, Earth, Fire, Ice, Light, Thunder, Water, Wind. They have various abilities and effects, Ice can freeze objects and Thunder can cut them with precision for example.

There is also player housing in this game. Each player can have a Mog House which can be turned into a significant source of profit if you invest gil, time and effort in gardening. You can grow plants then harvest them at your Mog House. Crystals can be used to determine the type of the product your plant will give.

And if you have the spirit you can speculate on the market just like in real life. There are Auction Houses in each bigger city where you can buy or sell items through public auctions. Buying low and selling high is always the motto of a successful marketer and if you can find the right opportunities a lot of FFXI gil can be made.

Final Fantasy XI Graphics

The graphics of the game don’t live up to the level of single player Final Fantasy games but it’s still one of the best looking MMORPGs out there. While the characters have an animation-style look, the environments are realistic and very detailed. The combat effects are also spectacular, making the impact of a powerful strike look really damaging. There is also a beautiful day and night cycle implemented with dynamic weather effects. This game has a much deeper and more involving storyline than a usual MMORPG, this includes many cut-scenes of state of the art quality, characteristic for FF games.

Final Fantasy XI Sound

The soundtrack is mostly composed of well done synthesized tunes. It is nothing very special but Final Fantasy fans will find it familiar. The sound effects also fit well to the action and make especially battles more interesting.

Final Fantasy XI – Summing Up

Final Fantasy XI is definitely one of the best MMORPGs out there but there is competition all around. If you are a Final Fantasy fanatic or you liked the single player Final Fantasy games than this game will be definitely enjoyable for you. If you don’t like the single player Final Fantasy games, this game is probably not for you. Unfortunately there is no trial and you will have to shell out a considerable amount of money to start playing.

Final Fantasy XI – Cost

Final Fantasy XI currently retails for $29.99US and it has a $12.95 monthly fee.