Has FFXI gotten better since North America release?

[wicki]

Has FFXI gotten better since release?

This is kind of a loaded question, so I'll expand a little on what I'm asking...

My wife and I came off of DAOC to FFXI about a month after FFXI got released. I liked the gameplay and cinematics and overall "feel" of the game very much, and a little of how the professions/skills worked -- it is a very different system, but kind of nice overall.

I think we ended up getting around level 20 or so before we stopped playing. If I remember correctly, the main problem was the content was just entirely monotonous. It was just a grind over and over and over, the same mobs, same model of mobs, same AI... almost everything about the game was the same 1 through 20. It took a very long time go get there, also. This may have been better if there was more interesting things to do, more interesting and different mobs, places, etc...

So I guess my question is, has this part of it gotten any better?

Also another side question: will it be difficult to do "high level" things with only 2 people? For instance in World of Warcraft, to do ANY highest level content you usually need either 20 or 40 people. In FFXI, is there any way to compete with only 2 or maybe a few people at highest level?

Thanks for any comments!!

[Blood Red Poet]

Re: Has FFXI gotten better since North America release?

Leveling at low levels isn't really aimed to be all that fun. You get your subjob and farm some money for your gear. Sometimes catch an event(which SE aims at low levels). At 75, there is plenty you can do with two people, but you are better off with four or six. Only the hardess challenges require more than one alliance(I guess an exception would be Dynamis).

[DakAttack]

Re: Has FFXI gotten better since North America release?

Depends on what you want to do. Some content such as Avatars can be duo'd, but most missions can't. If you want to make it easier to complete the missions you and your wife should play a tank and a healer. Those are usually the hardest jobs to come by when putting together mission, leveling, and quest parties.

If there's one thing you should learn now, is that slower is better. There's such a thing as too slow, but slower is generally better than fast leveling and game progression. You'll understand it a bit more once you reach the higher levels when you can look back and realize that it didn't take that long at all. Once you get into the habit of leveling with groups of people you'll find it hard to level alone. It's very enjoyable and relaxing to chug along like a well oiled machine grinding out the EXP and having a nice conversation. You could even learn and practice Japanese like I did.

じゃまた！

[Khevn]

Re: Has FFXI gotten better since North America release?

Hey Hey a Fellow DAOC vet. I was a 50 RR7 NS on Igraine myself about 3 years ago. Might have Stayed if Atlantis hadn't come out. Your looking at a completely different style of game here my friend. DAOC is all about the Quick slam through to 50 to get in that RVR feild, but FFXI is all about taking your time and pacing yourself. It takes some adjustment. I can deffinitely say this game is not for the impatient. The casual gamer (me) can also have a slightly difficult time keeping up. That and the economy has horrible ups and downs. It also sometimes demands a bit of a Rep especially at the higher end. But if you like interaction and team work and you enjoy helping others here and there, this a Gem in the rough if you can get past those initial 30 lvls and get to the job you love. LoL PLD for life!

[Grizzlebeard]

Re: Has FFXI gotten better since North America release?

Leveling at low levels isn't really aimed to be all that fun.

Yes, excellent game design.

[Jei]

Re: Has FFXI gotten better since North America release?

low level will pretty much be the same way. The fun things you can do acutally show up more and more the higher you level up. Like the CoP story lines which starts at level 30 and complete at level 75, zilart missions which you kinda need 50+ to activate, and much more.

either way, you will need to get pass those evil low levels o.o

[ryuno]

Re: Has FFXI gotten better since North America release?

Heh I play DAOC on EU atm. We just got the classic server not long ago. I played thi games a little while after NA release too, but quite because all my friends left.

But i'm back again now on a new server and considering quitting DAOC because the game has just become too stale for me. Its all the same stuff in the end, and i've done it all.

I still only pre 20s at the moment, but it doesn't look like much on the surface has changed, but i've been reading the patch notes and stuff and really alot has changed since I last played. Things like outpost warps, new jobs, Dynamis, Limbus, Extra storylines, and loads more. But like has been said above, alot of it starts 30+, but i'm looking forward to it!

[lionx]

Re: Has FFXI gotten better since North America release?

I really dont think the first 30 levels are the best ones however they are aimed so that you can learn partying that is vital to the game for the entire level span, so you should just focus on grouping and having fun with your LS mates, once you reach lvl 30 tons of things open up.