Thinking about buying the game

[tukai]

A little background 1st. I bought this game years ago on the pc when it 1st came out. Loved everything about except there were very few american's playing it and I couldnt communicate well with our friends from the far east. Fast forward to today. If I buy the game, would it be totally overwhelming? I played everquest 1 and 2 for years so i know how the online community is like. Some recommendations I need are:
Where should I start off playing? Reason I ask as there have been a buttload of expansions release over the years. I want to have fun meeting some people but not be totally out of my element until I get my "sea legs" back
Are the economies fairly stable?
most importanly, can I get enjoyment out of the game only playing about 10-20 hours a week, and solo a good portion? Years ago when I had more time, I could drop 40 hours on a online rpg and raid in the end game. Now I'm 31, wife kids white collar worker yadda yadda and there are so many games out now, I dont want to feel like I'm spinning my wheels. I have a pc and a 360 but just rather get it on the 360 because pc's can have issues that I don't have to worry about on a console. Thank you in advance for taking the time and helping me.

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

Re: Thinking about buying the game

1. Start anywhere you want and be whatever race you like. Where you start is really just asthetics, so pick what you find most interesting.

2. The economy varies from server to server. A lot of items that were big ticket when you originally played may be much cheaper now. Starting out is a little tougher now because lots of things deflated in value, but its not too terribly hard to overcome.

3. Soloing is not a viable option before you have levelled some subjobs that help with it, such as White Mage, Ninja or Dancer. After you get those out of the way, you can spend some time soloing. Before subjob, I wouldn't recommend soloing beyond level 10, seek out parties.

And no, Valkurm Dunes has not gotten better. They did add Nomad Moogles to Selbina and Mhuara, though.

[nubreal]

Re: Thinking about buying the game

I bought it for pc and then just switch to xbox360 i love it so much better on 360. You cant pump up the graphics like you can on pc but i love just useing a controller. Truthfully thought its hard just to play the 10-20 hours you say with this game but its do able. A better game for causaly players is world of warcraft you can solo the whole game till lvl 70 but you need groups to do the instances but you dont need to do them to lvl. It is pretty much all english game so no real lang barriers but both games are good.

[Armando]

Re: Thinking about buying the game

Choosing 360 just for a controller isn't good advice since you can play on the PC with a controller too.

[The Mauva Syndicate]

Re: Thinking about buying the game

I play on the 360 as well - it's pretty sweet and avoids completely the recent hacks and exploits that so many PCs are vulnerable to (yes yes someone who is vigilant with security yadda yadda yadda - old argument)

Start anywhere you like, Its a bit easier to get around if you start in Sandoria or Bastok in the beginning, cuz they are both on the same continent, but I started in Windy and will always prefer it to the cold stone cities of the Humes Elvaan and Galkas.
Honestly soloing isn't THAT big a deal, even without subjobs - I lvl'd most of the starter jobs to 10 in a week or so, just playing a few hours every day or so - found the ones I liked and have focused on those. The subjob quest is honestly a tad bit easier in Selbina rather than Mhaura (being that magiked skulls are, in my experience, a higher drop on ghouls than bloody robes are on bogy's) but you'll still want help for that.

I always recommend Remora, it's a nice server, and the population is up there without being too crowded. I get good amounts of prty invites on RDM, not so many on WHM or BLM - Im not high enough BRD to party yet, next week <_<

Enjoy it - even if you only can play 10-20 hours a week, its what you make of it. I can even enjoy fishing, so for me, the game has a lot of things to do that I enjoy - some people just want to burn to endgame, but for me its about the journey.