Final Fantasy XI inspires some mixed feelings, but having said that, this epic MMORPG will still find ways to charm.
But at first you probably won’t realize this. The reason? Well, first off there is a very long and arduous installation and setup phase that is mandatory. Once you pop in the disc, you'll be presented with an option to install the PlayOnline Viewer - Square Enix's glossy-looking hub from which you launch the game and send messages from etc. This procedure takes probably fifteen minutes or less, depending on your broadband internet connection.
Once that's done, you have to actually register your PlayOnline Viewer account. Now, this is where using the Xbox 360 controller comes to an abrupt end, and where you really should think about investing in a cheap USB Keyboard (me and my friend use silicon keyboards that sit very well on your lap). Filling in forms is a lot easier - and much more time-efficient - that sitting there manually inputting information with the Xbox 360 controller. The keyboard will also be a life-saver of sorts when in the game, but we'll get to that later.
After you have filled in all your registration details, the installation of Final Fantasy XI itself will begin, but not before you're treated to a ten minute clip that'll lay down some history for the world of Vana'diel. This installation procedure takes about an hour to complete, so you can just go ahead and leave the system alone, but remember not to remove the disc or accidentally power down the machine.
The provided game guide is actually very good, and provides enough information for even beginners to navigate their way though this whole process, so if ever you feel the need to consult it, go right ahead, but mostly this entire undertaking is pretty simple, it’s just somewhat time-consuming.
Anyway, once you have done this, you're now faced with yet another screen to download all the updates, after that, more forms to fill in, this time to register the actual game. Installing the updates takes up to an hour and a half, the forms take probably five to ten minutes depending on your peripherals of choice. This also includes the purchasing of your Content ID, so you can create your character(s).
And that's it, you're now ready to play the game - three hours later, six gigabytes or so removed. The character creation tool is basic, but adequate enough I suppose. You can choose between five different races, from the human-like Hume race, to the cute but not-to-be-underestimated Tarutaru. You now to have selected your job, character name and world (however this depends upon whether you wish to join your friends on the same server, but for this you need to acquire something called a 'World Pass', if you are not fussed then the game randomly assigns you to a server world) and then finally you're allegiance to one or three locations in the world of Vana'diel. After that, a simple little intro sequence begins and you're all done.
I would like to point out that there is a lack of a - and in my opinion much-needed - tutorial. Still, the game isn’t complex to control or grasp, it'll just take you an hour or two to be completely au-fait with the ways of the world so to speak. In fact, once you have landed, you pretty much have to make your way without a clue as to where you should go or what you need to be doing - good job the friendly Final Fantasy XI community is on-hand to assist though.
Once you do muddle your way though those rough spots however, you will find a virtual world that is lushly populated, ever changing and almost infinitely rewarding to behold. If you ever get stuck, all you need do is ask, but admittedly it can be frustrating from time to time when you get lost - and you most likely will a few dozen times.
The menu system in the game is adequate. You have access to maps, inventory, everyone listed in your server that is currently playing the game (there are usually some five thousand or more playing at the same time) and other such selections like your quest log and friends list.
Combat in the game ranges from easy to impossible, and your first time out on the battlefield will be fraught with frustration and malice towards your foes. Still, you have to climb the ladder of success from the bottom, right? My advice to you is to use the handy 'check' option when you select your enemies, that way you can gauge how powerful they are and if you should risk attacking them. Do be warned though that some enemies will come running after you if you get too near and anger them in some way or other.
For an MMORPG the game holds up well in terms of lag and overall online server performance. I rarely encountered any glitches either, which is a bonus. The game has been in release for around three years, so that shouldn’t really be surprising. What you will find handy during the game is the ability to team up with other players in battle. This feature is called 'party' and you can add people (via invitation) to your party. When you do this, their health status shows beneath yours in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen. You can also track them on your map, too.
The graphics in the game are very dated, as previously mentioned, but it doesn’t really matter to be honest. The visuals contain enough Final Fantasy charm and whimsy that you'll soon fail to notice their muddiness and painfully previous-generation look. Then again, maybe not. For some, these graphics will probably get in the way, for others, they wont. It all depends on your ability to see though all of that. Personally, it didn’t bother me, though admittedly I winced somewhat the first time I saw them and thanked the maker I still wasn’t lumbered with my PS2 or original Xbox. But that was just the snob in me.
The pricing scheme for Final Fantasy XI isn’t quite as bad as I thought it would be. First of all, you get the first thirty days for free, after that I believe the fees are thus: $12.95 in the US and £8.99 in the UK. The main question though is, "is it worth it?" and to be honest I would have to say that it all depends on what kind of gamer you are. I think I'll get several months’ play out of it and cancel my membership (which is very easy to do by the way). I have heard of people playing this game for years, but I am not so sure it has that kind of life in it anymore, but it almost certainly has a good few months in it nonetheless.
Final Fantasy XI is a good game, but by no means is it a great one. If you are serious about online gaming then you should look into this; Vana'diel is a big place, and its inhabitants are fun to communicate with, and there are plenty of quests for you to undertake. Gamers who are not as serious should consider a few things. First of all there is the huge setup procedure, the forms to fill in, the monthly fee, and just the fact that online role-playing games might not be your thing. Playing RPGs online is different from playing them offline. Those used to full-on spoken dialogue will have to get used to reading again, and the combat system isn’t quite as thorough either. Still, this is a good game, no doubt about it, but it isn’t for everyone.
Overall Score:
7.0/10