Final Fantasy XI Review
Final Fantasy XI is Square-Enix’s first approach to the online gaming industry, and is rated as one of the top MMORPG games available today. Final Fantasy XI is also one of the only MMORPGs available for the Playstation 2 game console opening a whole new realm of MMORPG gaming experience to Playstation 2 online gamers. The game attracts a new audience of gamers – the beloved, addicted MMORPG gamers – as opposed to solely fans of the Final Fantasy genre. Final Fantasy XI gives casual RPG gamers and avid MMORPG gamers the opportunity of playing online, “Final Fantasy” style.
Square-Enix put up a strong effort into making Final Fantasy XI a unique but relative “Final Fantasy” gaming experience. How is Final Fantasy XI unique compared to other MMORPGs available for play today? Though most MMORPG games are similar to each other in gameplay (from the aspect of completing quests and adventuring into the unknown and beyond), Final Fantasy XI is based on an actual story and plot that unfolds as players progress in the game. The game features a fantastic intro movie that informs the player of what is currently happening and what to achieve in the game.
Final Fantasy fans need not to worry about the game being a totally different “Final Fantasy” experience. Final Fantasy XI offers the same common features that are in the offline series. The battle system in Final Fantasy XI is slightly different than the offline versions of Final Fantasy, however, Final Fantasy gamers will recognize familiar spells, items, equipment, and enemies throughout the game. Some examples of spells, items, equipment, and enemies recognized in offline Final Fantasy games and found in Final Fantasy XI include the spell of Firaga, the healing of Potions, characters armored by Breastplates, and the well-known monster Cactuar.
Final Fantasy XI offers a variety of character jobs and character races for its players to choose from. Character races available for play include Elvaans, Tarutarus, Humes, Mithras, and Galkas; each that can uniquely master a specific job better than another character race. There are three main types of character jobs, each in which excel in different duties, whether that be casting magic to enemies, dealing damage to enemies, or defending the party. Basic character jobs, or jobs that players can select when first starting out in Final Fantasy XI, include the Black Mage, Monk, Red Mage, Thief, Warrior, and White Mage. As the game progresses and characters are leveled, players can unlock advance jobs, which are jobs that have history relating to the game’s story. The advance jobs within Final Fantasy XI include the Bard, Beast Master, Dark Knight, Dragoon, Ninja, Paladin, Ranger, Samurai, Summoner, Blue Mage, Puppet Master, and Corsair.
Throughout the game, players will experience many cut-scenes after completing quests and missions. These cut-scenes expand the original intro story to the game and help give the player the gist of the past happenings and current situations of Final Fantasy XI’s world: Vana’diel, a world run-down by beastmen and corrupted by evil. It is up to the nations and players of Bastok, San’Doria, and Windhurst to help gain back control of the world. The game’s constant expansions continue to entertain Final Fantasy XI gamers with new cut-scenes, quests, missions, areas, jobs, and adventure.
The combat system could not be more simple. Final Fantasy XI players simply have to target an enemy by selecting the enemy, and clicking on attack. The combat system is automatic in Final Fantasy XI as characters will attack the enemy automatically. Players have the control and ability to unleash special weapon skills and attacks, along with casting magic and using items in battle. Overall, casual offline Final Fantasy gamers will feel comfortable with Final Fantasy XI’s combat system as both are very similar to one another.
Final Fantasy XI is truly a unique MMORPG and online gaming experience. Any online gamer, Final Fantasy fan, or frequent RPG player is encouraged to play. Final Fantasy XI is one of the only MMORPGs on the market today featuring an actual story that places the player right in it, and is always expanding. Players can be rest assured that this game will never get old, but beware! Final Fantasy XI is definitely fun, but may get a bit addicting.
-Game Monarch (04/28/2007)