Final Fantasy XI – PC – Preview 2

 As any fan of the series
(or any gamer who hasn’t been living under a rock for the past ten years) can
tell you, no two Final Fantasy games are exactly alike.  Each addition to the
series brings a brand new storyline set in a completely different universe
(well, excluding the upcoming Final Fantasy X-2, but that one’s a little
different) with a different set of gameplay elements.  In fact each sequel in
the series has featured a different combat system, new character classes, and
unique weapons.  The latest entry to the Final Fantasy universe brings the most
radical element to the series to date: massively multiplayer online gameplay. 
Final Fantasy XI brings the series into the world of MMORPGs, introducing things
like player commerce and team-based missions to the previously completely
single-player RPG series.  However, the game remains very true to the series as
a whole, and retains much of the overall feel that Final Fantasy has become
famous for.

 

Final Fantasy XI takes place
in the world of Vana’diel.  Twenty years have passed since a great war between
Orcish hordes and the other races of the world.  The Orcs lost the war, and have
been put into submission by the other dominant races and resort to raids and
guerrilla tactics outside of towns.  However, their presence has been on the
rise in recent times, and many cities have been on edge due to the rising
threat.

 

In creating your character,
you can choose from one of five races: Humes, Elvaan, Galka, Tarutaru, and
Mithra.  Each race has unique traits that affect your chosen job.  For example,
the Tarutaru are very small and physically weak, but they possess a lot of
magical power and make great mages.  The Galka, on the other hand, are very
large and strong and make great monks, but they lack in magical ability.

 

In addition to choosing a
race for your character, you must also choose an allegiance to one of the three
countries of Vana’diel.  While a character of any race can pledge allegiance to
any country, each nation leans in a certain direction in terms of general
populace.  The industrial nation of Bastok in primarily inhabited by Humes and
the Galka, the lush floral continent of Windurst is home to mostly Tarutaru and
Mithra, and the medieval city of San d’Oria is the homeland of the Elvaan race. 
Vana’diel is a pretty huge place, but luckily you can employ the use of a few
different modes of transportation to get you around, including a certain giant
bird familiar to the series (cough*Chocobo*cough).

 

Final Fantasy XI brings back
the job system, which was last used in Final Fantasy V.  The job system allows
you to actively shift your character’s job class whenever you see fit.  You can
begin your quest as a Warrior and then shift to a White Mage if you want to. 
All you have to do to change your job is simply go to your Mog House (yes, the
very same Mogs that have been a staple in many Final Fantasy games) in the
residential district of whichever city you have allegiance to.  At your Mog
House you can not only change jobs, but also store surplus items, place
furniture and other things.  Changing your job is an important part of building
your character as it unlocks the ability to create support jobs (which allows
you to essentially have two jobs at once and mix their abilities) or even become
a special job class, like a Ninja, Bard or Summoner.

 

Final Fantasy XI is an
MMORPG, meaning that a good majority of the game focuses on teamwork and
interacting with your fellow players.  The game has several key features to help
facilitate this interaction, like an easy to navigate chat system and the
ability to search out any player currently logged into the game at anytime. 
Another cool chat device within the game is the linkshell system, in which you
and your friends purchase a linkshell and can then use linkpearls to communicate
with each other from any location in Vana’diel.  Commerce is another means of
interaction with your fellow players.  While the commerce system isn’t as deep
or involving as the one in Star Wars Galaxies (which basically has players
running the economy), you can still trade items with each other or put items up
for sale at an auction house.

 

Although the game has
already been out in Japan for over a year, the graphics look fantastic.  The
character and enemy models are unique and brimming with personality and rival
even those of Star Wars Galaxies.  The game also has a plethora of excellent
special effects, like when a character casts a spell, levels up or even scores a
critical hit.  The environments are huge, sprawling, and very well detailed. 
Each one is very unique, for example the giant city of San d’Oria looks great
with its medieval atmosphere, huge stone walls, and expansive courtyards.  You
can tell a ton of attention went into making each environment unique and
detailed.

 

The sound and music is also
great, and does a fine job of keeping up with other titles in the Final Fantasy
series.  The score is orchestral, and sounds great and really builds an
atmosphere for the game.  The music will change when you become engaged in a
battle and will become more intense.  Series loyals will also hear a nice little
surprise every time they level up.  The sound effects are also quite good, as
swords will make a slashing sound, staves will make a blunt sound, and footfalls
change with the terrain appropriately, etc.

 

Final Fantasy XI is indeed a
brave endeavor as it dares to mix two near polar opposites:  Final Fantasy (a
series known for a focus on an excellent single-player experience with a focus
on storytelling) and MMORPGS (a genre focused on a solid multiplayer element
with little attention to story).  However, I think that Final Fantasy XI does an
excellent job of mixing the two, and fans of both should find something to love
here.  It’s a great starting point for MMORPG newbies (read: Final Fantasy fans)
to get their feet wet in the genre, and the solid friend-based multiplayer
element and easy to use chat interface should appeal to hardcore MMORPG fans.

 

Final Fantasy XI releases
this November on the PC and early 2004 on the PS2.