A time-consuming treadmill that is very unfriendly to new players, however MMORPG fans have a lot to like.
User Rating: 7.1 | Final Fantasy XI PC
Everyone has heard of the fabled Final Fantasy franchise. Being the first fully-online and massively multiplayer version in the series, FFXI is VERY different than past Final Fantasy games. This is expected, but aside from the art direction and general 'feel' of the game, Final Fantasy XI is not unlike many other MMORPGs like Everquest, Shadowbane and Dark Age of Camelot (to name a few). You quest either on your own or in parties to gain loot and experience. As you progress you unlock new abilities and spells, and it tends to feel almost like a treadmill at times. There is an over-arching storyline, but it really plays very little into the experience most players have in Vana'diel. I have played this game for at least 40 hours, and the most interesting aspect of the storyline has been occasional fetch-quests for NPCs across HUGE areas. The overwhelming focus is leveling up, and getting the next set of sweet gear. If that alone is not enough for you, DON'T play. You will be disappointed. Travel times in the game, especially at lower experience levels, are really frustrating. Until about level 20 you are restricted to walking nearly everywhere, which can take upwards of 10 minutes real time. The gameplay is what it is, and more than likely if you've been a fan of other MMORPGs you will enjoy the subtle variances to the genre that FFXI introduces. Instead of having to choose one class for your character, you're allowed to play EVERY class if you so choose. All you have to choose in the beginning is if you'll be a male or female, and which of the 4 different faces/ hairstyles you want. You'll see your exact physical features on other players pretty frequently. The elemental strengths and weaknesses system from previous FF games is intact in this one. Status effects and elemental damage are both liberally used by enemy monsters, and you'll need to learn the opposites of each element to get a leg up on the nasties. The visuals in the game are starting to look a little long in the tooth these days, but hold up very favorably in comparison to most MMORPGs. The menu interface is superb, and once you learn all the shortcuts and macros, you'll be able to do anything at the touch of a button. It shouldn't be hard for gamers to get this game running well without chugging or slowdown. The music is solid for a game of this caliber, but not impressive. Some of the towns where players call home (Sandy is the worst!) have irritating music that you'll turn off almost immediately. Others are better, but tracks start to grate when you're playing as many hours as this game requires. The character sounds and combat sounds are fairly unimpressive, and have an anime style to them that is pretty consistent with Final Fantasy. It does bear mentioning that the costs associated with monthly play are, at the time of this review, excellent when compared with its competitors. You must pay an additional fee to get another character though, and a common practice is for players to get a 'mule character' to store all their loot. When all is said and done however, you will end up paying about $65 for the first two months of play. Retail for this game is not cheap, and even though the monthly fees aren't killer, it adds up very quickly. For the amount of time and enjoyment, FFXI's value is VERY poor. Though I would argue most MMORPGs are. Ultimately, FFXI is a very successful foray into the MMORPG marketplace. It doesn't do anything new, and many will still debate whether or not it is a fun game. Unless you're absolutely sure that MMORPGs are for you, I would pass on this one. Wait until Final Fantasy comes back to single player. That will surely be a better value (and game). 
