FFXIV A Realm Reborn

[TheGame]

So I just started the beta testing on the Ps3 version. I have a feeling this is going to be an extremely popular game.

Not sure if there's any other MMO players here, but they stole enough of the UI (User interface) looks from WoW to attract their fans, but made it into a bit more classic of a MMO with Final Fantasy all over it. They got the controller gameplay right, and there is a ton of solo content (from what I can tell).

But I was more posting this to see if anyone else is planning to be playing the game at launch.

[Vampyr]

The group of friends I typically play online games with are pretty excited about it, so that probably means I'll end up getting it too. :P

How different is it from WoW? Still a quest-hub based system?

[TheGame]

The group of friends I typically play online games with are pretty excited about it, so that probably means I'll end up getting it too. :P

How different is it from WoW? Still a quest-hub based system?

The questing system is actually very similar to WoW. It's not a quest hub, there's quests everywhere in random spots (as you progress). There seems to be enough quests to keep you occupied at your level. I only got to play to level 10 with a friend though, the beta was open 2 days and closed lol.

The friend I played with is a hardcore MMO player, and she stated that the game is a step backward for most modern MMOs, but still feels like one of the most complete launch MMOs she has played.

But some things to note:
-I noticed you get more exp in a group then you get solo.. I don't know how common that is these days, but from XI and WoW I got used to the group exp penalty. The downside is every time you attack something, the next closest mob links when you're in a group. It was bad one time becsause when we were level 5, I attached something near a level 12 treant and it linked... and started a massacre because an outsider healed.

-I actually like WoW's questing system more because there's a story to follow in every quest in WoW... like each zone has a line of quests leading to an ending (well most of them). While XIV was better for pick up and playing with a partner because most every quest is one and done and I haven't seen anything that requires extensive travel.

-FFXIVs map is better than WoWs, but when it comes to finding objectives on the map, WoW is superior. The City I started in had a weird design and it took me 15+ mins to figure out how to get out of town.

-XIV has zoning like XI, so don't expect flying mounts ever lol.

-The main storyline quests is the only quest line that seems to progressively keep moving, and it all seems to be soloable at this point.

-Like old school WoW, you can actually accept quests that are a couple levels above you, and win items you can't even equip yet.

-Character customization is amazing (keep in mind I've only played WoW and XI.. well and EQ way back lol). It was extremely rare to encounter two characters who look alike. I'd put it on the same level or better than any solo RPG I've played (obvlivion, Kingdoms of Amular etc)

-They kept the funky job system from the original XIV. Since I'm not high level I don't understand what made them go that route... but it's simple really. You play a 'Class' (i.e. Gladiator, Marauder, Lancer) that's built for solo play and decided by the weapon you equip. The abilities of the different classes overlap if you level multiple ones... but eventually when you hit level 30 you can opt to switch to a 'Job' (i.e Paladin, Warrior, Dragoon) which is built more for group play. Right now the ratio of classes to jobs is 1 to 1, but in the future they plan on making the classes change into multiple jobs. Like I'd expect a Marauder (2 hand axe) to be able to switch into a Dark Knight and Viking eventually instead of just warrior.

-To add to my last huge point: SE wants to eventually release all of the classes from the series to make XIV like a Final Fantasy encyclopedia. They also plan on having skirmishes and bosses that are built from previos FF games... and they've already mentioned they're trying to put Lightning into the game somehow lol. Weird, but might be cool depending on how they do it.

[Vampyr]

For group play, how important is the "holy trinity." Do you need dps/healer/tank?

I kind of hope so, actually. Because although that is old and tried, games that don't have it, like Guild Wars 2, end up feeling like a group of 5 people spamming their cooldowns and teamwork doesn't matter at all.

[Ginkasa]

I'm not really interested in perpetually playing an MMO, but if the story quests are interesting and soloable I might check it out.

[TheGame]

For group play, how important is the "holy trinity." Do you need dps/healer/tank?

I kind of hope so, actually. Because although that is old and tried, games that don't have it, like Guild Wars 2, end up feeling like a group of 5 people spamming their cooldowns and teamwork doesn't matter at all.

As far as I know its important. I have a feeling it wont be for 4 man content. Maybe need a healer and heavy set DPS.. but the 8 person groups need a tank, abd 2 healers apparently. Since I'm in the lowbie stages I can't speak to that exactly yet.. but I'll let you know for sure before the game even launches.

[Vampyr]

Server issues aside, I've been playing this a bit every day since it came out.

It's a really great MMO. It's the most fun I've had playing one, actually. It's still really similar to WoW in how quests and abilities work, but everything is so polished and well done it doesn't really matter.

My favorite thing so far is how you only need one character, and you can play every class on that character. I always had a hard time committing to a class in WoW and I always started many alts. Now, there's no reason to.

[TheGame]

Which server are you on Vamp?

And yeah it's really good.. the end game is lacking so far, but leveling your first job is super engaging. It reminds me of a normal final fantasy game with a little forced grouping.

[Vampyr]

Malboro.

[TheSlyMoogle]

Which server are you on Vamp?

And yeah it's really good.. the end game is lacking so far, but leveling your first job is super engaging. It reminds me of a normal final fantasy game with a little forced grouping.

End game isn't terribly lacking.

My FC and LS are on excaliber. Coil is pretty engaging. We're stuck on turn 5, but we're close.

Endgame will be much more rewarding and engaging after 2.5 is released.

[TheGame]

End game isn't terribly lacking.

My FC and LS are on excaliber. Coil is pretty engaging. We're stuck on turn 5, but we're close.

Endgame will be much more rewarding and engaging after 2.5 is released.

You mean 2.1? Yeah they need 2.1 so that there's more variety. Honestly the end game is boring as hell to me right now. The only ways my dragoon can progress is with coil or mythology tomes. And the only thing I can do in my downtime is craft or level other jobs.

Its not fair, but when you compare it to a game like WoW its lacking very badly. The amount of time it takes to max out your gear is much shorter, and there's no pvp. Even in 2.1 its kind of a backwards update. They're adding the bridge between 4 mans and coil, and adding extreme modes (which I never was a fan of, I like when an enemy or raif has one difficulty so killing it means something)

After 2.1 nothing changes for my drg. I just have to clear a few more primals for a relic +2, then back to grinding myth and coil and gearing up alts.

[TheSlyMoogle]

You mean 2.1? Yeah they need 2.1 so that there's more variety. Honestly the end game is boring as hell to me right now. The only ways my dragoon can progress is with coil or mythology tomes. And the only thing I can do in my downtime is craft or level other jobs.

Its not fair, but when you compare it to a game like WoW its lacking very badly. The amount of time it takes to max out your gear is much shorter, and there's no pvp. Even in 2.1 its kind of a backwards update. They're adding the bridge between 4 mans and coil, and adding extreme modes (which I never was a fan of, I like when an enemy or raif has one difficulty so killing it means something)

After 2.1 nothing changes for my drg. I just have to clear a few more primals for a relic +2, then back to grinding myth and coil and gearing up alts.

The crystal tower gear is confirmed to be ilvl80 and better than DL gear. So you'll be replacing all your DL pieces with CT pieces.

This means people will actually be able to do turn 5, and they can finally get to work on releasing the next turns.

Extreme mode primals, and hard mode dungeons. You may be grinding myth still, but at least now you will have more options. Oh and a new dungeon that drops gear as well.

[Vampyr]

I'm playing again on Malboro. Have a group of 5 people that have been doing dungeons and such. The low level duty roulette thing is awesome. Finally a consistent way to get gil so I don't feel super guilty using teleport.

[TheSlyMoogle]

Well I can't wait until next month.

I can finally farm turn 5 and get my weapon.

Oh and new turns of coil, super excited.