FInal Fantasy XI

[wiggins]

Hi guys,
I know there's a CAA Linkshell, and probably already another FFXI thread somewhere, but I searched through a few pages that the search tool found for me, and didn't find much, so could someone tell me if FFXI is worth the money? What is it about? Is there a storyline? What are it's good and bad points just as a game, and from a Christian perspective?
God bless,
Jonathan

[BishounenCookie]

Interesting topic.

There's magic in it, like all FF games. But if you didn't like magic in video games, then I doubt you'd even be considering FFXI anyways, so I suppose the point is moot.

There's a little swearing in the dialogue.

Since FFXI is an online game, you also must be prepared to put up with people cussing, occasionally making ASCII pictures that look like breasts, etc... basically the same types of rogueish things you put up with anywhere else you go on the Internet where there is socialization.

FFXI cost me something like $50 when I bought it last year and it costs $12.95/mo to play. It sounds a little expensive, but it's really not. People spend alot more than that in a month on many other hobbies, so $12.95/mo is really an economical hobby, provided your parents are paying for the internet connection.

Don't get yourself addicted to the game, though. You have to be on your guard if you decide to play these online games, because they are strongly addictive in nature. If you have tendencies to become addicted to things, I would suggest that you play it at a friend's house for a few weeks or something for a little while just to see how it goes over with you. That way you're not backed into a corner where you've already paid for the game and are stuck playing it, etc. Keep yourself in check somehow so that you don't find yourself wasting hours every single day on it. It's okay to play for hours at a time, because it's meant to be played that way. But try to limit it to a couple of times per week or something.

I would recommend that you do NOT set high goals for yourself in this game. The higher your goals are, the more time you will waste playing. Try to set a low goal at first, such as getting to level 18 so that you can have a sub-job. Then set your goal a little bit higher if you need to. Don't go into the game expecting to get to the highest level with all the best items and stuff, though, because usually the highest level players in these types of games are the biggest addicts.

[desperado]

bishounen cookie covered a lot of the basics. first thing i suggest if you do get it is to hook up with a good linkshell (the clan system in the game) because they will help you and if you get a good one youll have less to deal with the idiots that make there way into these types of things. and if you get the quezcoatl server say hi to me. the name is desperado

[BishounenCookie]

I used to be on Quetzalcoatl. *waves*

Now I'm on Caitsith... but I never play anymore. I'm thinking of selling my account.

My best friend and I bought the game together so that we could play together, but he never played with me except for once or twice over the entire year we've had it. He played alone for a long time, and then he quit playing altogether for months. I finally figured out that he was addicted to ragnarok online -_- so I just said "forget it, I'm not playing anymore."

[desperado]

sad. the reason i keep playing is because of my ls. the "crimson pirates players guild" or crimson pirates for short. there a big reason i keep playing

[wiggins]

Thanks guys! Umm... correct me if i'm wrong, but you guys are maiing it sound like it's not worth the money since both of you seem about ready to drop it...

[desperado]

no im going to stay it was just bad for a while do to gillsellers, but now that that problem is being adressed i have no urge to drop it

[Chichiri]

I'm starting it soon. I'm getting a new video card for Christmas, so I can finally play it. If i'm on one of the servers that you guys are on, I'd love it if someone could help me out or just PT with me a little.

[BishounenCookie]

Thanks guys! Umm... correct me if i'm wrong, but you guys are maiing it sound like it's not worth the money since both of you seem about ready to drop it...

No, it's a decent game IMO, although opinions on the game are extremely varied. Some people will tell you that it sucks, and they won't talk to you if you say you liked it.

It seems like alot of money, but on the other hand it's not alot of money. I guess it all depends on whether you have a job or if you still get allowance from the 'rents.

Expensive for a game? Yeah.
On the other hand, is it a relatively cheap hobby? Yeah to that, too.

The only reason I want to sell my account is because my friend won't play with me. And the only reason I bought it in the first place was because my friend and I had plans to play together. As for the game, I don't really care, I can live with or without it. I've got no attachment to it really.

[TroutNinja]

Well, those of you who are going to start up soon.. gimmie a PM if you'd like and I'll help you get started on Ifrit. I got the gill to buy the worldpass and a small decent ls. Oh, and I can help you level a bit at first as well.

[desperado]

same here for quezcoatl

[wiggins]

Hmm... I've got another 3 questions:
1) Is the battle system a normal online game battle system, like everquest?
2) I live in the uk, so if i buy the game from say a hmv here, can i play with people in both the us and the uk?
3) (for a friend) Are there guns in the game?

[Chichiri]

1.) I'm not sure about EQ. You hit attack, and you attack at different speeds depending on different stat levels. You attack automatically.

2.) Yes, you can also play with people from Japan too, but they tend to play by themselves and generally seem to hate the English players.

3.) Yes. Rangers use them. And it can be a very costly job to upkeep. But they are very good damage dealers.

[desperado]

on one you forgot about specials and magic and stuff. its not like eq were you can hit auto battle and walk out and get some food or something. it is a lot mroe user entailed. only thing that is auto is slashing or whatever your weapon does.

[wiggins]

Thanks guys! Now for 1 more question:
Would you reccomend i get the game? I understand this depends on my tastes, but I have a broad range of tastes from ragnarok online to megaman to battledfield 1942 to phantasy star online, etc. It sounds very intriguing. I am under the impression you even own a home and can go fishing. However, If you didn't know I was interested in the game, and I asked if you would reccomend it, would you?

[Chichiri]

you have a mog house. which isn't as impressive as it sounds. just a home base that everyone has. all in the same place, can't go into other people's mog houses, etc.

I'd go for it. the game w/o the expansion packs is only 30 bucks and i think you get 1 month free to try. you dont have anything to lose.

[BishounenCookie]

Thanks guys! Now for 1 more question:
Would you reccomend i get the game? I understand this depends on my tastes, but I have a broad range of tastes from ragnarok online to megaman to battledfield 1942 to phantasy star online, etc. It sounds very intriguing. I am under the impression you even own a home and can go fishing. However, If you didn't know I was interested in the game, and I asked if you would reccomend it, would you?

Frankly I'm totally unsure whether or not to recommend it to you, per se. It's pretty subjective with this particular game I could easily recommend for or against it depending on various things.

As I mentioned before, you should really play at a friend's house or something first. Especially since you seem particularly indecisive about it.

[wiggins]

OK. I'm almost certain I'm going to get it but for 1 more thing:
If I buy it and play for a month, then get really busy for 2 months and donn't play, then want to play again, what will happen to my account? Will they charge me a monthly fee automatically? Will they freeze my account until I pay again? Will theu delete my account?

[Chichiri]

yes, they charge automatically.

you can cancel your account, but your character only stays alive for 3 months if i recall right.

I wish they would freeze accounts in situations like that, but cmon, they're a business. they want to make money.