Final Fantasy XI

So with the recent news of a couple people on the forums who are going to join this game, I might as well review it to show them what is to come.

Final Fantasy XI is an Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (or MMORPG for short.) Taking place in the world of Vana’diel, you create a character and explore, do missions, and even take over lands for kingdoms. After you create a character, you have to choose from three kingdoms to start in. They include Bastok, Sand’Oria, and Windurst. Each includes their own set of missions, quests, and interesting citizens.



First off I have to say is that you don’t get to choose which server you join in. If you and your friend are both joining FFXI together, most likely you will both be in different servers. Yet there is a catch, you can buy a World Pass that will enable them to create a new character and bring them to your server. A World Pass costs normally 1000 gil, so you might want to start working for that cash.

Anyway depending on which version your playing on (currently PC or PS2), the graphics might look better or worse. Playing on a PC will look a little better and run smoother. On the PS2, it will look the same, just a little more polygons, not much to say, “This game sucks ass compared to the PC versions!” Also on the PS2 if there is a crap load of people, then the framerate will go down. It doesn’t happen often unless you go around the Auction House or someplace where a major event is happening (GET FREE GIL DAY LOLZ!)

Music in this game is outstanding! If you didn’t already know, this was one of Nobuo Uematsu’s last games to work with Square before he left. He still is making music for other games and companies now, but not for Square Enix much anymore. Now I didn’t travel completely around Vana’diel, but from where I did, some places don’t have music playing in the background. This most likely will happen in places outside major cities, like outside of Raunfare or Sarutabaruta. Yet in places with the music, it goes great with the environment.



Controlling the game on the PS2 is pretty simple, but for a Keyboard it’s a little more difficult. On the Keyboard you use the key pad on the right side of your keyboard. Using 8, 4, 6, and 2 to control your character. For the PS2, you use a thumbstick. Yet at the same time talking over a PS2 controller is a pain in the ass. You have to go over an internal keyboard within the game to talk. Saying a simple sentence takes awhile. Over the keyboard you can just start typing and BAM its there. So if your going to play on the PS2, buy a keyboard that goes with the PS2. For the PC, you can try one of those gaming controllers.

Now leveling up, like in most MMORPG’s, is a pain in the ass. It will take you awhile to get to the level you want. When you first start the game it goes up pretty easy, but by level 5 you will soon realize it’s a hassle. You might think that going into a party will make it go faster, but it actually makes it go slower. If you and a friend both go kill someone that gives you 50 exp., you will either get more or less than your partner. Reason there is that it gives more to the person who kills it or did the most damage to it.

Also if you’re lucky and get one of the older servers (like Bahamut or Shiva, which I’m in Shiva), maintenance usually ends before anyone else. So there will be a day you go on and it will say “maintenance starting tomorrow.” You can expect to be back on before everyone else, unless it is a major maintenance and/or update.



This game is fun to play, but costs a lot more for the PS2. $100 to be exact for the PS2. If you have a PC that is compatible and a PS2, then get it for the PC. If not then the PS2. Reason it costs more is that it requires a Hard Drive in the PS2. The game alone takes about half of a 40 gigabyte hard drive. Yet for PC it won’t take that much space like the PS2.

In the end it is a pretty decent MMORPG. It’s not as good as others like World of Warcraft and has the fee unlike Guild Wars, yet it just has the Final Fantasy feel the others don’t bring.

4 star(s) out of 5

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