Final Fantasy XI

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. 

- 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.

Originally posted by Kaldrannath

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.

Yeah, it's not the best. You could get to WSAD though. It's best if you use a controller, as it was made for the PS2.

- 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 didn't change the resolution. Am I the only person that changed it when I first started? Seriously... It's set to that horrible resolution because I guess they figure our PC's were going to suck. Anyway, it's a lot prettier when you change it to the max settings.

- 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.

Did you really explore the town? Not all the NPC's are just standing there like a cardboard cut out. It's a starter city, I don't know why you would expect everyone in the game to be there? Maybe if there was an event going on or something.

- 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 think that's the first time I've heard someone be disappointed about not getting decimated by mobs. There is only one mob in the mines that even aggro's. If you were in Gustaburg, then you'd see aggro.

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.

You want to know why nothing made you want to? Say it with me...Because you didn't give it a chance! If you're into stories, this pretty much beats any other MMO hands down. You're completely involved in the story.

Save your money for something better and good gaming. 

This could not possibly be a review, since you only played the game for what seemed to be an hour. It reminds me of that Gamespot review I saw. They basically only told you what the first 7 levels were like and that was it. Gametrailers has a fantastic review. Anyway, I highly suggest you try giving the game a second chance. It's like going into a single player RPG where you start off as and with nothing and work your way up from there. I don't see why people don't pay attention to that. But, if you have a WoW mentality like super casual playing, then you aren't going to like it.

Yeah, I know the post before me pretty much covered everything. I just had to put my two gil in still.

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.

Originally posted by Kaldrannath

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!

The game is like 6 years old now. It was fun and exciting to start when everyone was new, trust me. When I first bought the game in '04 it was amazing and almost everyone was a new player. I spent about 4 days (not playtime) getting from 1-12 and I did it all solo because I really didn't know any better, and neither did most others.  I would log off around 1 am get up at 5am and play until i had to goto school around 8. The game might be dry now for new players but thats only because the initial shock has worn off. Let's face it, it's had 3 platform releases which as far as I know is the most for any MMO (which is quite amazing that they can make an MMO work successfully on 3 different platforms). I can't say I'm not biased because the game really captivated me and still does to this day long long after I sat there installing it that first night (yeah, I also had a long inital install...I did it on dial up!. I also have it on PS2 and PC with every expansion for each).

For your second question, I really haven't played a MMO (besides FF)  except for maybe tabula rasa that really made me enjoy the game right from the start (I stoped playing that around level 40).

 

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?

If you are playing on windows: Start >> Programs >> Playonline >> Final Fantasy XI >> Final Fantasy XI config (its in there)

When I first started playing on windows I was like "WTF I heard the graphics were nice but they look like garbage". I checked the config switched it to 1280x1024 and bam, nice looking stuff.

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.

Get on a friendly server (most are). Get a friendly social linkshell and people will tell you where to go for xp and answer any questions. If by chance you are on carbuncle send a message to Blazer and I'll help you out.

A final thought though, give the game more of a chance. It's completely solo until level 9-10 for most jobs and once you start grouping thats where the game truly begins. I wont tell you that you are being rediculous for your own opinions about the game  because that would be unfair. The game is obviously not for everyone and if its not your thing best of luck in the future.

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.

Originally posted by Kaldrannath

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.

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.