I've never played an online game in my life, but I love the FF series... Should I...

[Squall]

I've never played an online game in my life, but I love the FF series... Should I buy FF XI? Would I enjoy the experience? Is it like FF I - X-2? What makes an online game different than a regualr console game? Please give me your advice! :p I don't want to spend $100 on FF XI for my PS2, then $12/month to sign up to PlayOnline, and end up hating the game...

Seriously, I've never played an online game in my life. I don't even use my PC for games (mostly for e-mail, the Internet, and Microsoft Office). I play all my video games on my NES, Super NES, PS2, and GameCube... Someone enlighten me with their wisdom! ;)

[Ikki D LEO]

I'm also a FF fan, but I'm not gonna spend 100 dls and 12 a month just to play an on-line game, I think it's just too much, but some people think is wort it, and who am I to tell them otherwise, it's their money after all. Thats why I'm just gonna move on to X-2.....

[Charlie]

Its an ok game. If your a fan of the series, and have alot of spare time, you'd might find it interesting. I bought the pc one, and I had fun with it for the first couple of months, then it seemed to just get bland and repeditive after a while, but I'm just not a fan of sitting down for hours on end to gain just one level.

Gameplay wise, theres a bunch to do. Your able to switch your class when ever you please (asuming your around your mog house), which really added some life to it. Smithing, the auction house, fishing, trade skills, ect. really add life to it. I was kind of overwhelmed and discouraged when I stared. But after a while I picked up what I'm supose to do (just be sure to ask for help when you need it, seriously). Plus, Tetra Master is a hella fun game to boot.

Its really up to you if you want to dish out the $100 for the hardrive and the $13 for the monthly fee (and the keyboard if you don't have it). Once again, if your a fan the the series, you'll probably get a kick out of it. But if you do, I'd sugest getting the pc version. Its alot simpler to use and you don't need to spend extra cash for the hardrive and stuff.

[TacoHunter]

Go for it. FFXI will probably be a good introduction to online gaming for you.

And online gaming kicks ass. Because it feels real more. Especially if you play a bunch of good role players.

[Sailor Chibi Otaku]

I plan on buying a network adaptor and the keyboard one day.

I was into FF for a time but then I lost intrest. How I got back in was the demo of FF X-2 with one line after a fight:

Gimmie an R!!

Gimmie a Y!!

Give me a break.. (thank you, Payne!! Err.. can't remember if that's how her name's spelled..)

i plan on getting FF XI. OPM said it's one of the best ever and plus, spending $300 (USD) a year to play on-line is like you buying a game (at full price) every other month, so it's a pretty damn good deal. :)

Methinks my brother will buy me Resident Evil: Outbreak for my birthday. He bought me Resident Evil: Dead Aim for my birthday last year.

[The Falcon]

if you buy the PC version, is it still $100 to start?

Hero

[Sailor Chibi Otaku]

It depends, do they ask for a fee?

With Warcraft and Starcraft, you can play on-line for free. You only pay for your connection to the web, your ISP.

[Sigma]

if you buy the PC version, is it still $100 to start?

HeroThe game for PC isn't $100 I believe it is $40, but after your free month is up you will have to pay a monthly fee of $12.99. Also your going to want a computer that can run it smoothly. Also if you plan on making any additional characters or playing the card game online that will be an additional $1 a month per extra characters and for the card game.

No mater how you play it FFXI is going to be a hefty investment. I will get the PS2 verison because I want the HDD for SOCOM II. I will play FFXI for a month and if I like it enough I may just pay the hefty price to play monthly.

[Hurricane V1]

I don't know why FF XI is called just that when it's online. I think the fact that is online means it ought to have a different subtitle. FFX2 will always be my XI.

I can't afford to do online gaming right now, but in about five months when I've made some money, FFXI will definately be my introduction to online gaming.

[Squall]

If you get the PS2 version, do you have to play on the keyboard? Or can you use your Dual Shock controller to play, and only use the keyboard when you're talking to people?

Also, if FF XI does have a plot, and this plot has a beginning and an end, how can 1,000,000 people "live" in Vana'diel at the same time? Won't some be farther along in the plot of the game than others? I don't understand how this works. :confused:

[Artimus Gigan]

If you get the PS2 version, do you have to play on the keyboard? Or can you use your Dual Shock controller to play, and only use the keyboard when you're talking to people?

Also, if FF XI does have a plot, and this plot has a beginning and an end, how can 1,000,000 people "live" in Vana'diel at the same time? Won't some be farther along in the plot of the game than others? I don't understand how this works. :confused:It's like how Phantasy Star is set up kinda

plot events(boss battles, dungeons, etc.) can only have a group take place in them.

so you won't have people coming up and killing the boss after you did the work of depleting 99% of it's HP...

[Squall]

It's like how Phantasy Star is set up kinda

plot events(boss battles, dungeons, etc.) can only have a group take place in them.

so you won't have people coming up and killing the boss after you did the work of depleting 99% of it's HP...
I'm afraid that didn't help me much... I have no idea how Phantasy Star Online is set up either! :p :(

So, in other words, it's not really 'one' world of Vana'diel... it's hundreds of copies of the same world, with people who are roughly at the same point in the progression of the plot grouped together on that version of the 'planet'... But if that's the case, wouldn't everyone in the version of Vana'diel that PlayOnline dumped you in when you logged on be around the same levels as you are? The PlayOnline-Final Fantasy XI website says that you can meet & work with people of much higher levels to level-up faster...

Someone explain to me how this works, please! :sweat: I'm dying of curiousity here... how on Earth does an online RPG like this work??? :o

[Captain Harlock]

I'm dying of curiousity here... how on Earth does an online RPG like this work???

Let's break it down from the start. In the case of FFXI and other MMORPGs, there are multiple servers all running the same base game (FFXI, etc). The only thing different in each world is the players. When you make a character, you're assigned one server out of all of the servers they have, In FFXI's case. However, if you have a friend that is already on a server, when you make your character - you can use something called a 'world pass' which allows you to join that server. But your friend has to buy a world pass.

The server you get put on in the case of FFXI isn't different every time you log in, it's when you create your character. If you create Squall and get placed on the Phoenix Server - you're on the Phoenix Server until you delete that character. So naturally, people who have been on the server longer will be stronger and allow for you to ally with them.

[Squall]

But, how does the plot work in all this? How can you play FF XI with your friend if he/she is farther along in the plot than you are? Won't he/she know stuff that you don't, or have aquired weapons/spells/aeons that you aren't supposed to know about until a plot twist reveals it to you as a surprise?

I can see it now... "Hey, I'm new, how are you?" to a person passing by. "Hey, I just beat the lord of the Beastmen. The world is safe forever now, the game is over!" Well, that's great... then what do I have to play for, since you started the game on this server six months ago and you and your friends beat the game for me? :confused:

That's the aspect that I'm most confused about... and a few Google searches for MMORPG FAQ didn't help me too much either...

[Artimus Gigan]

But, how does the plot work in all this? How can you play FF XI with your friend if he/she is farther along in the plot than you are? Won't he/she know stuff that you don't, or have aquired weapons/spells/aeons that you aren't supposed to know about until a plot twist reveals it to you as a surprise?

I can see it now... "Hey, I'm new, how are you?" to a person passing by. "Hey, I just beat the lord of the Beastmen. The world is safe forever now, the game is over!" Well, that's great... then what do I have to play for, since you started the game on this server six months ago and you and your friends beat the game for me? :confused:

That's the aspect that I'm most confused about... and a few Google searches for MMORPG FAQ didn't help me too much either...Monsters sometimes have timed spawns meaning they pop up after they've been defeated after a certain period of time pases by, they also will have replenished MP and HP and will be waiting for the next team to come and fight them.

[Conekiller]

But, how does the plot work in all this? How can you play FF XI with your friend if he/she is farther along in the plot than you are? Won't he/she know stuff that you don't, or have aquired weapons/spells/aeons that you aren't supposed to know about until a plot twist reveals it to you as a surprise?

I can see it now... "Hey, I'm new, how are you?" to a person passing by. "Hey, I just beat the lord of the Beastmen. The world is safe forever now, the game is over!" Well, that's great... then what do I have to play for, since you started the game on this server six months ago and you and your friends beat the game for me? :confused:

That's the aspect that I'm most confused about... and a few Google searches for MMORPG FAQ didn't help me too much either...
I've been wondering the same thing, I hope someone can give us a good answer.

[Captain Harlock]

In an MMORPG, there really is no plot. Time is just spent making your skills better to defeat stronger monsters and collect more items. There's no one monster that once you kill, 'you finish the game', the experiance is supposed to be endless. It's not a linear game, so what you get out of it is what you want to get out of it. If you want to be a warrior who goes around helping people, then so be it. But there is no real definate plot that says "X is the ultimate evil in the world and you have to kill them to save the world."

[Squall]

In an MMORPG, there really is no plot. Time is just spent making your skills better to defeat stronger monsters and collect more items. There's no one monster that once you kill, 'you finish the game', the experiance is supposed to be endless. It's not a linear game, so what you get out of it is what you want to get out of it. If you want to be a warrior who goes around helping people, then so be it. But there is no real definate plot that says "X is the ultimate evil in the world and you have to kill them to save the world."
But both EGM and OPM magazines said that FF XI is groundbreaking in the sense that it's an MMORPG that's also got a set 'beginning' and 'end.' That the various types of beastmen join together, and the three nations of Vana'diel must join together as well to fight the beastmen in a big, big war of some kind... Otherwise, what goals would you have if you just wandered around, talking to people (I can do that in a chat room) and killing things (offline video games can do that now).

Also, I have an ISP (a cable modem) so how would that attach to my PS2's network modem? Is there still plenty of room on the PS2's HDD to download stuff from various other games?

[Captain Harlock]

The Ps2 HD is 40GB in size, I believe it has plenty of room. And as for FFXI, I'm sure that there are probably events held every once and again with these 'beastmen', but if the game were to have an ending point - it would probably when the game is outdated in the future.

Otherwise, what goals would you have if you just wandered around, talking to people (I can do that in a chat room) and killing things (offline video games can do that now).

Some people enjoy roleplaying out their characters on the servers. While others just enjoy playing an RPG in a social setting. The goals that come out of the game are the ones you make yourself. It's more about the drive you have to play the game as opposed to the game making you want to play. As for the cable modem, you would most likely have to get a hub and network the connection. Steps on how to do this can be found on GameFAQs.

[Bakasama]

With MMORPGs, it's character oriented rather plot oriented. You have the abilty make and customize your character. If you're looking for a plot I think this game will have a series of quests that advance the plot before you finish the game.

[Squall]

For those who have already played or currently play FF XI, is it as fun as you thought it would be? For those who have already played or currently play FF XI, and who have played many online games before, is it a great, average, or lame online game? Square Enix has quite an impressive reputation to uphold, after all...
:)

[The Jinjo]

Honestly I wouldnt. I dont have any interest in playing games online. Multiplayer games are great, but the fun of it is having a bunch of people in the room with you while you do it. That's just my opinion though. The only people in my school who play games online are those who dont have anyone to play with.

[Artimus Gigan]

You want a good Multiplayer Final Fantasy

Crystal Chronicals is excelent(if you have all the required equipment however)

It's almost like Secret of Mana or Dungeons and Dragons in terms of frantic madness of people shouting

HEAL ME, HEAL ME, KILL IT, I'M DEAD, I'M LOST, IT'S AFTER ME!

besides it's nigh impossable to beat it solo...

[EroSennin]

For those who have already played or currently play FF XI, is it as fun as you thought it would be? For those who have already played or currently play FF XI, and who have played many online games before, is it a great, average, or lame online game? Square Enix has quite an impressive reputation to uphold, after all...
:)
Ive been playing FFXI on the PC for few months and I love it. Ive played plenty of other MMORPGS before but I think this my favorite. Theres a great community and one of best quest/mission systems of any online game.

[Tallaid]

I've played practically every Online RPG there is and I'll say that FFXI ranks near the top. Since it'd be your first time playing an Online RPG and more than likely you're not looking for a hardcore PvP game, which all the games at the top of my list are, I'd recommend FFXI as the best game to get if you want to get started on online RPGs. The community is good, the gameplay is good, and the story is much better than most other Online RPGs. Just be forewarned, it's a very different kind of game than every other Final Fantasy, so try not to go in with any preconceptions about what to expect.

[Slade_Wilson]

I'm thinking about getting the game as well because of the supposed maximum freedom offered int he game (they say you can literally do whatever you want in the game short of sex). I do wanna ask those who have played it if there is any truth to this statement. For example, can I be a theif on the game and go around stealing items from other players.

[Artimus Gigan]

I'm thinking about getting the game as well because of the supposed maximum freedom offered int he game (they say you can literally do whatever you want in the game short of sex). I do wanna ask those who have played it if there is any truth to this statement. For example, can I be a theif on the game and go around stealing items from other players.probably not, unless there is a PVP server I'm guessing that you would only be able to steal from NPCs...

because if you were able to steal from players "just cause" it would create a whole slew of issues...

[Squall]

I'm thinking about getting the game as well because of the supposed maximum freedom offered int he game (they say you can literally do whatever you want in the game short of sex). I do wanna ask those who have played it if there is any truth to this statement. For example, can I be a theif on the game and go around stealing items from other players.
Perhaps not sex per se, but I've read that, if the game continues to grow and evolve, that a male & female character could one day get 'married' and have kids who become characters of their own... Amazing concepts! :)

As for the thief question, I've also read that this may be allowed one day... but, of course, the person or people you stole from will now have the right to hunt you down and kill you as well. So, when the "people can hurt and kill each other" feature is brought to FF XI one day, I can see that happening...

...But, it's no way to make friends! :p You steal from one guy, and next thing you know, you'll have a whole party of players after you! Eventually, no one would even talk to you, and some people would probably attack you on sight. Just like a real thief!

[Slade_Wilson]

that's what theives guilds are for. but I completely understand what you mean.

[MrBananagrabber]

As for the thief question, I've also read that this may be allowed one day... but, of course, the person or people you stole from will now have the right to hunt you down and kill you as well. So, when the "people can hurt and kill each other" feature is brought to FF XI one day, I can see that happening...


That'd be a nightmare, especially with higher level players stealing from newbies.

[Squall]

That'd be a nightmare, especially with higher level players stealing from newbies.
Maybe newbies could be immune from being pickpocketed until they get to a certain level. Say, level 20? (Just a random guess.)

[Artimus Gigan]

Maybe newbies could be immune from being pickpocketed until they get to a certain level. Say, level 20? (Just a random guess.)They had a rule like that in Eq...

Level 60's would do that all day long...


they were like wolves

they would stalk people chase them thru dangerious zones

and have their corpes be left in unknown areas where they killed them....

[Slade_Wilson]

They had a rule like that in Eq...

Level 60's would do that all day long...


they were like wolves

they would stalk people chase them thru dangerious zones

and have their corpes be left in unknown areas where they killed them....Are you serious?!?! thats insane. why don't I have this game yet?

[Artimus Gigan]

Are you serious?!?! thats insane. why don't I have this game yet?Newbies wouldn't survive...

no one survies

just run away...far away....and hide...

trust no one

[Morac]

Newbies wouldn't survive...

no one survies

just run away...far away....and hide...

trust no oneYou should have seen Ultima Online when it first came out. Since it was basically the first popular graphical MMORPG the concepts of what and wasn't good for players weren't fleshed out yet.

It wasn't uncommon to come upon a scene where there were literally hundreds of corpses of newbie players on the ground killed by player killers, many of the same player trying to reclaim his corpses items. The developers tried a handful of systems, including a player justice system (which was very fun but didn't protect newbies) and murder system (hopelessly flawed) before they settled on separate worlds, one where PVP combat was allowed and one where it was not. This caused the game to become boring (for me) especially since they left the murder system in place.

MMORPG games that came out later learned from UO's mistakes and had separate PVP servers and all the non-PVP servers had well established rules of PvP combat.


If you've never played a MMORPG it is a very different experience from a normal or even non-persistant online game. While there are events, some which can affect the overall world, there really is no ending. There are many ways to approach playing an online game such as FFXI; some have goals and some don't.

You can role play for the fun of it. You can try to level your character as high as possible and try to get the most powerful character in the world. You can try and collect as many (rare) items as possible. You can run/join a guild (group of players). You can go around protecting lower level players. You can Pvp (player vs player combat). You can make other people's lives miserable (this is called griefing and will cause both other players and system administrators to despise you). The only limit is your imagination.

Warning, some MMORPG are very addictive. EverQuest has been called "EverCrack" for this very reason and people have literally lost their jobs and spouses because of that game. But even the most addictive MMORPG's have a high turnover rate though as people get bored and move on and others take their place.

[Slade_Wilson]

a phenomenon on is own. thats amazing. So does ff 11 have any onf these qualities you spoke of that everquest has, such as pvp and the like. I have to know what I'm getting into when I by this game.

[staticblue]

a phenomenon on is own. thats amazing. So does ff 11 have any onf these qualities you spoke of that everquest has, such as pvp and the like. I have to know what I'm getting into when I by this game.
hey slade, looks like we need to invest in everquest:D

[Tallaid]

Well since this is starting to get onto the topic of PvP games I'll jump in again. Like I said before the games that are at the top of my list of MMORPGs all have unregulated PvP. This allows for complete freedom in playing styles, If you want my recommendation for the best MMORPG there is I'd tell you to go go look up some stuff on Darkfall online, their website is www.darkfallonline.com (http://www.darkfallonline.com) . Unfortunately this game isnt out yet and probablt won't be out for a year but this is going to be hopefully the one game I've always been looking for, ever since the fiasco that was shadowbane, but the Shadowbane is something I could talk forever about so I won't.
Of course I could go on forever about Darkfall but I won't I'll try to list some points that make it looks good in my opinions, just a heads up all the things I'm listing are already in the beta version of the game and are being tested, they aren't just concepts.
-The first is completely open PvP, there are no safe zones, you can be attacked by anyone anywhere. The balance that keeps poeple from wanton destruction is a currently a system of alignment penalties, ex: you kill 5 newbs(People of a certain level below you) for no reason, your chaotic alignment shoots up and gaurds attack on sight, this sort of thing doesnt apply to guild versus guild combat where as long as the enemy is in the enemy guild you can kill them all you want. Another plan that I personally hope they use is a racial one, meaning your race only recieves penalties for attacking people of your race or your races allied races.
-I'll try to be more brief on these points or this post is gonna get long.
-It will have 1 server capable of handling in the tens of thousands of players at once, because of this the world map will be absolutely massive.
-Guilds or clans(large groups of players) can build their own cities on the map, hiring shopkeepers, guards, craftsmen, merchants, resource gatherers, etc, all the trappings that a real city would require to survive.
-In the spirit of the last one guilds can then siege other cities in a vie for more territory allowing for greater expansion
-Theres already a good amoutn of backstory, and unlike shadowbane, they plan on actually using their lore in the game in the form of quests and a story that can evolve around the politics of guild vs. guild combat.
-A major point that will probably apply more the veterans of the genre that are sick of the leveling treadmill is that there are no levels, just skill so it's possible to be powerful enough to handle yourself in a battle in a matter of hours.
-Another is that they hae made their battle system for like and FPS and therefore it requires skill at playing your character rather than just being a higher level. So it's possible for someone who has a skill of 50 in longsword to kill someone with a skill of 100 in longsword.
- Theres tons of other things that I don't gave enough room to list here, things like being able to take over dungeons and make them into your hideouts, owning ships and becoming a pirate, etc.
If you guys have more questions about this game lemme know, oh and sorry about kinda hijacking your thread, I get a bit carried away talking about Darkfall.

[guinaevere]

With Warcraft and Starcraft, you can play on-line for free. You only pay for your connection to the web, your ISP. Is the new World of Warcraft going to be free, too? With Vivendi Universal running the show, I'd be very suprized if it's still going to be free.

You want a good Multiplayer Final Fantasy

Crystal Chronicals is excelent I gotta agree. I picked it up some time ago, but we've only just started playing yesterday. Oh, this game is beautiful.

Yes, this is the first FF game I've ever played. I'm not that big into RPGs, and yes, I know FFCC isn't the typical FF RPG experience. I really don't care. I was interested in it as it's a cube exclusive (gotta support Square backing Nintendo) and that it had a full-game multiplayer option. And right now, we're enjoying it immensely.

[Quartz235]

Never buy in to FFXI's evil grip, for it has conspired against my pants legion by making me slay the same enemies over and over and calling it gameplay. The pants and I shall rule all servers and send it to the 24th layer of hell, where it can meet American Idol the game and every pong clone known to man.

[Wilco911]

Is the new World of Warcraft going to be free, too? With Vivendi Universal running the show, I'd be very suprized if it's still going to be free.Nope, WoW is going to be your standard pay-to-play MMORPG. However, a number of game developers that made Blizzard what it is today are now working for NCsoft(publishers of the Lineage MMORPG series) on a new MMORPG with no monthly fees called Guild Wars. You can find out more at http://www.guildwars.com (http://www.guildwars.com/)

[EroSennin]

I must ask is anyone else from this board playing FFXI? I currently am on Valefor chances are slim anyone else is there but hey ya neva know

[FinalDragoon]

I play, but i'm on Seraph. Glad to see other people playing the game.

[guinaevere]

Never buy in to FFXI's evil grip, for it has conspired against my pants legion by making me slay the same enemies over and over and calling it gameplay.
Isn't that pretty much indemic to all RPGs? That's why I never have gotten into them... they're so repetitive. Especially FF, they've been notorious for the player having to keep going over the same territories over and over to level up, right?

[Squall]

Thanks everyone! :)

OK, now that it's settled that I should try Final Fantasy XI... now the question is, which version should I buy? I have both a PS2 and a Dell PC that I bought brand new at Christmas...

...I'd love to add the hardware (Network Adapter and Hard Disk Drive) to my PS2, but is it worth the extra money? I'd use the NA and HDD to play the 2005 EA Sports games as well as FF XI if I bought them...

[TacoHunter]

Well...I'd recommend the PS2 version just to get the HD. That way you can get good load times on RE Outbreak, and hopefully Sony will update Socom 2 with some new downloadable content.But honestly...the HD is too little to late.

I'd say, save yourself $60 and just go with a PC version for $40.

[Master Moron]

Isn't that pretty much indemic to all RPGs? That's why I never have gotten into them... they're so repetitive. Especially FF, they've been notorious for the player having to keep going over the same territories over and over to level up, right?
Really? Most FF games seem pretty easy to me. Maybe it's cause they lower the difficulty level for an American audience. The only Final Fantasy that I remember absolutely NEEDING to level up was Final Fantasy II.

By the way, since you're talking about all RPGS, you might consider Chrono Cross. That's an rpg that doesn't have a level system. Instead, you get a star every boss you beat, and the star is what determines your stats. So, battling the same enemies over and over again would be pointless since you can only gain more stats if you beat the level and fight the boss.

[Squall]

Well, I'm heavily considering the PS2 version not only for the hardware, but for the fact that I've been told for years that playing lots of video games on your PC wears out the hard drive much, much faster than its normal shelf life... Besides, I'd rather replace a $50 PS2 hard drive every now and then instead of a $300 hard drive... :)

[Artimus Gigan]

Really? Most FF games seem pretty easy to me. Maybe it's cause they lower the difficulty level for an American audience. The only Final Fantasy that I remember absolutely NEEDING to level up was Final Fantasy II.

By the way, since you're talking about all RPGS, you might consider Chrono Cross. That's an rpg that doesn't have a level system. Instead, you get a star every boss you beat, and the star is what determines your stats. So, battling the same enemies over and over again would be pointless since you can only gain more stats if you beat the level and fight the boss.Lower...Difficulty?

Have you played the Chronicals version of IV?

Or tried to complete the Ultima Weapon dungeon in VIII?

Or gone against Emerald and Ruby Weapons in VII which may i remind you were put in specificly for the American and Int. Version of the game, and not the Japan release?

Only American Final Fantasy II(Final Fantasy IV easytype) was there ever a lower difficulty set as standard.

The difficulty has baisicly been uniform for all the versions of the games...

Also Final Fantasy II only features a stat bulding system, there are no levels to gain, you can cheat the system by beating yuorself up with your own characters to gain stats faster...

[guinaevere]

Really? Most FF games seem pretty easy to me. Maybe it's cause they lower the difficulty level for an American audience. The only Final Fantasy that I remember absolutely NEEDING to level up was Final Fantasy II.
huh. Well, it does happen that I mis-hear or mis-interpret something. I guess this might be the case here.

[Squall]

Is Final Fantasy XI made to play with just a keyboard? Is it easy to play the game with just a keyboard if you've never played a game with just a keyboard before? (Like me :)) I'll hate the experience if doing things like running and attacking take forever using the keyboard... :(

I need advice! Please? :cool: :D

[lo2402]

Is Final Fantasy XI made to play with just a keyboard? Is it easy to play the game with just a keyboard if you've never played a game with just a keyboard before? (Like me :)) I'll hate the experience if doing things like running and attacking take forever using the keyboard... :(

I need advice! Please? :cool: :D
I play on the PC but I use a PS2 controller that I set up so that the controls are just like all the other FFs on the PS. X=confirm, triangle=menu, etc...(I got the PS2 controller adapter at radio shack for $10)

I was easily able to get into the games controls this way because I was already used to it. The only thing I use the keyboard for is to communicate.

[ohmrbill]

Really? Most FF games seem pretty easy to me. Maybe it's cause they lower the difficulty level for an American audience. The only Final Fantasy that I remember absolutely NEEDING to level up was Final Fantasy II.
Ironically, Final Fantasy II was the only RPG ever to have its difficulty lowered for an American audience.

[Artimus Gigan]

Ironically, Final Fantasy II was the only RPG ever to have its difficulty lowered for an American audience.yes but it is required that your Hp be over 2000 so you can just barely survive the first attack from the final boss

and that it fires off a 2000 hp attack to every character in one round

so you gotta be like in the level 60's to survive...

but if you don't attack the final boss won't attack so you can revive

[Squall]

I play on the PC but I use a PS2 controller that I set up so that the controls are just like all the other FFs on the PS. X=confirm, triangle=menu, etc...(I got the PS2 controller adapter at radio shack for $10)

I was easily able to get into the games controls this way because I was already used to it. The only thing I use the keyboard for is to communicate.That's awesome! Could you explain in more detail how you do that??? :eek: That's exaclty how I'd like to play Final Fantasy XI...

However, on the other option, I have an urgent question... can you play Final Fantasy XI with the basic Logitech USB Keyboard on one controller port, and a PS2 Dual Shock controller on the other controller port? Or do you have to make an either/or choice between them, but can't use both at the same time? (I'd like to use the controller to move around and fight, and the keyboard to talk to people.)

[lo2402]

The PS2 version can be played with both the keyboard and controller but you cant change the control setup. I dont know much about the PS2 version so I cant tell you what the controls are.

To use the PS2 controller on the PC install the software than plug one end into the PC USB port and plug your controller into the other end. Their you go you can now use your PS2 controller for any PC game you have. You can change the control setup from the games option menu.

About the game itself, dont expect a traditional FF. When you first start playing it wont even seem like a Final Fantasy game at all. You will go through alot of boring and frustrating things before you even experience the great things about FFXI, which includes a great storyline. But you wont even see any sort of story at all for the first month or two of playtime.

Is it worth spending so much time to get to the fun stuff? Well that depends on how much time you have to get their. :sad:

[Bic]

I play on Unicorn myself. The different jobs is one of the things I find interesting about the game, as well as your party experiences can be differnet each time. There are times where the game can feel monotonous, but usually chatting with your Linkshell friends and doing quests passes the time very quickly. I currently play a Mithra who is a Lvl 32 Monk, 18 Warrior, 17 Dark Knight, 14 Dragoon, 12 Black Mage, 11 White Mage, 9 Bard, 9 Paladin, and 5 Beastmaster. I guess you could say I have fun playing the game.

Oh, if you do decide on the PC version over the PS2 one, be forewarned you need some serious hardware for the game to play smoothly. I have a P4 2.8GHz 533FSB and a GeForce FX5200, and it runs okay at 1024, but getting a better video card would definatly improve my preformance. Sadly, I don't have $450 to spend on a top end card. :(