FFXIV gets a 4.0 from Gamespot and other reviews & hilarious discoveries about FFXIV

[Aeni]

Re: FFXIV gets a 4.0 from Gamespot

No it's not. First off, the keyboard should be fully customizable with all keys being re-mappable, the Direction Arrows should not be locked in place.

I haven't had the need to remap the keys but I thought there was a configuration option to remap your keys (on the keyboard)?

Second, there's still a very noticeable delay in any action you take, a slowdown that is very annoying as it's already slow enough going through all the menus.

This is my experience as well. There is a lag as if I'm scrolling through a list of 5,000,000 items when there's only 70 or so in my inventory on my character at any time. It feels as if you were scrolling through a folder of 50,000 images on your computer and they are all 50mb or larger and that you also have set it as "view as thumbnail". It's even slower when you're in Synthesis Mode.

Bazaars are also slow, and have a ridiculously short range on them. While you can check them at a distance, you have to be right on top of someone to actually purchase an item from it.

To be fair, the range in FFXI was just about the same, the difference being, as you already said, that you have to stop to view the bazaar (even if the person with the bazaar is moving away from you)

While some of the things on the HUD can be moved, most are static in position and thus it makes being able to move those few items all but pointless. On top of that, you can't even close or remove any of these items on the HUD at all, making it needlessly cluttered.

The default UI in FFXI was completely uncustomizable so I think it's currently an upgrade from the previous. Since the chat window can be resized and moved I think a lot of players can appreciate it. If they made everything customizable, it only increases complexity and the need for more memory and thus even more slowdowns.

The NPC chat pop up window is also annoying because the same text appears in your chatbox anyway so there's really no reason for it.

I totally agree.

Which, in regards to the chatbox, retains XI's very limited text limit, made even worse as that limit also includes the player's full name, giving you even less space to work with.

Again, to be fair, this game was made by a Japanese company and they made an honest oversight regarding this. As you know, the Japanese can express much of their communication in very few characters called Kanji (which is based on the Chinese language) and that the limits in place now is fine for them but obviously not enough for those in other countries.

There are no shortcut keys for targeting NPCs directly, so you either have to mouse over them or tab through everything making targeting needlessly difficult.

I don't quite get this. Most games require you to target an object using your mouse or tabbing through various objects.

[Malacite]

Re: FFXIV gets a 4.0 from Gamespot

Another small suggestion I'd love to seem them do, is to add another menu option specifically for repairs.

It's really annoying going through my inventory and not my equipment menu for starters, and even more so when I have to repair multiple items because your character is always getting in/out of "craft mode". I would like the option to just sit my kitty's ass down until I'm done making repairs. It's a small nuisance but one that grates on my nerves.

---------- Post added at 07:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:23 PM ----------

I don't quite get this. Most games require you to target an object using your mouse or tabbing through various objects.

In XI you can just hit F8 to target the nearest NPC... why this is absent in XIV is just stupid, and makes large-group battles very very annoying. I don't want to have to tab through 10+ targets watching carefully for when I get a fix on the mob.



Article from ZAM:


http://ffxiv.zam.com/story.html?story=23586

DOP: Is NY Comic Con the Last Chance for FFXIV? 21 hours 55 minutes ago by Thayos
Guest author Sephrick asks whether SE still has the ability to produce a winner.

As far as public and media relations go, the New York Comic Con may be the "last chance gas station" on the deserted road of game sales for Square-Enix's recently released MMO, Final Fantasy XIV.

In today's gotta-have-it society, the holidays begin Nov. 1. Store shelves once overflowing with economy-sized bags of candy transform overnight into a winter wonderland. As the range of the gift buying season widens with each passing year, competition to be that game beneath the wrapping paper -- and likely the game that dominates a player's attention through the first quarter of the year -- tightens.

The recently-released Gamespot review of Final Fantasy XIV was but a rumble before the tsunami of potential negativity. With a wave of bad press on the horizon and one last media event before the holiday season, will this be Final Fantasy XIV's last hurrah or its moment of triumph?

Discuss this in the ZAM forums.

The Casual Field of Dreams

When Square was but a budding developer, the term "casual gamer" may have referred to someone who occasionally picked up that classic Nintendo Advantage controller and fumbled through a few levels of Dr. Mario. The market has changed since Square rolled the dice with the inaugural Final Fantasy installment, and the developer is starting to show a few gray hairs.

Today, casual gamers load up their customized professional football teams or kitted out soldiers of fortune and go toe-to-toe with those among the ranks of the hardcore. Defeat may be inevitable, but the fact remains that casual and hardcore gamers stand in the arena together. The key difference between them is while hardcore gamers are dedicated masters of their crafts, casual gamers have a more flighty jack-of-trades nature.

Even since Square's first bid in the MMO genre, the shape of the gaming world has changed and developed into a high-definition online experience. As the concept of what is casual has rapidly changed through the development of Final Fantasy XIV, one has to wonder at which point Square-Enix decided its game was geared for the casual crowd? Just because you build it, doesn't mean they will come. Even if it's called Final Fantasy.

Twenty Years, Fourteen Games and One Confused Fanbase

Throughout the 90s, Square in all its forms reigned supreme. Where Nintendo had Mario and Sega had Sonic, Square had developed a banner; Final Fantasy. Where other companies relied on the adoration of a character, Square built upon its own reputation, working to make its name synonymous with quality. From the first installment to nine versions later, Square was repeatedly viewed as an unstoppable force.
The first decade of the new millennium, however, has shown a different side of the company. One that begs the question, can they stop counting on name alone and begin competing? Since the release of Final Fantasy X in 2001, Square-Enix has seemed to forget there is a difference between innovation and opposition. One does not need to forsake something successful in order to make something new.

In the 90s, SE developed a winning formula -- cutting edge graphics and the best score technology would allow along with rich, immersive game play and storytelling. Final Fantasy X featured all of these things that were perfected through the first nine games, and managed to successfully usher in changes to familiar battle schemes and character development. The follow-up, however, was met with raised eyebrows. Final Fantasy X-2 was more action oriented than its predecessor and featured a convoluted path to attain a complete ending. Still, gamers embraced the opportunity to play battle action Barbie.

Final Fantasy XI was, and remains, a success due to a core of devoted fans. It's hard to say XI was a departure from that 90s winning formula, as the MMO world was new territory for the developer. Still, more than eight years after the launch of FFXI, it would seem Square-Enix did many things correct throughout the game's lifespan. Outside the game world, though, Square-Enix’s lack of public relations skills were often on display for all to see. Even the most devoted players would find themselves frustrated with the lack of outward communication. The term “ninja fix” was born through questionable changes made by Square-Enix that were never announced.

Final Fantasy XII was an installment that was a dividing point for many gamers. Regarded by many as an "offline MMO" experience, gamers found it tough to get into a game that essentially played itself.

After many years of development, the much anticipated Final Fantasy XIII fell flat as it seemed more of a CGI movie on rails than any sort of gaming experience. The few times XIII did let players off their leashes, restrictions in the ability to advance characters beyond a given point made the freedom seem more like a small room than an open field. This proved that beyond aesthetics, SE had all but given up on what made its games so popular throughout the 90s.

Finally, the latest edition and second online installment, Final Fantasy XIV, has been on store shelves for but a few weeks and has given the aging developer a potential public relations nightmare.

Final Fantasy XIV contains all that makes a game recognizable beneath the Final Fantasy banner. The music, graphics and story are all there. However these staples of the series are but a shell in which the heart of the game should rest. So far removed from that winning, fan-favorite formula, it has become clear that those on fan sites for Final Fantasy XIV are none too pleased with the current state of the game they longed for since it was announced at E3 2009.

The playerbase that should be circling the wagons to defend minor issues in a new MMO game are instead crying out, as they have been since the initial stages of beta testing. When players ask for a better user interface, they get an update correcting a minor avatar display flaw. When players ask for incentive to party instead of penalty, they are updated on how to better use abilities they cannot yet attain. When they ask for computer-friendly controls, they are met with the same silence with which long-time players of FFXI are far too familiar.

Fans were promised a new Square-Enix with XIV; instead they got the same old busted car with a new coat of paint.

An Old Man in the Age of Superstars

It's no secret -- gamers have the knack for teaming on the brink of the fanatical. Midnight releases can get ugly, new hardware can be driven into scarcity within moments of release. With so many so willing to throw down their hard-earned cash, it's no wonder the gaming industry has boomed into a multi-million dollar business.

While Square-Enix was off slowly crafting its self-assured "hits" like XIV and the Fabula Nova Crystallis compilation, other companies have risen to meet Square on the pedestal it once held on its own.

What separates these new faces from Square-Enix is their possibility to reach new heights due to an understanding of the importance of communication. Media saturation is a term applied to ensuring your product is in the face of the consumer. It's how brand recognition is developed. Between 2000 and 2010, there have been many who have done this well -- most notably, World of Warcraft. Between Gary Coleman and Mr. T and his Mohawk Hand Grenades, Blizzard-Activision has managed to make the World of Warcraft brand recognizable to those who don't even own a computer, ensuring there is a large enough base of players to enjoy the game.

In the console realm, online multiplayer is more and more becoming the focus of development, thus adding more contention to SE's PS3 hopes. Games like the soon-to-be-released Call of Duty: Black Ops and Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood promise a deep, robust multiplayer experience. During each of these game's development, the cogs of the PR machines have been spinning to make sure the brand is out there and gamers can be sure to put a note in their budget for when release date rolls around.

These sure-to-sell titles alone will leave console gamers to wonder why they should invest in such a poorly reviewed game when other A+ titles offer so much more for so much less. What will SE have to offer but a clunky game filled with players who have a six-month advantage? Each passing week between now and March adds another release to the list of reasons why casual console gamers will pass up the required time investment of XIV in favor of better reviewed and better crafted games. The key demographic for which SE was aiming with XIV has a constantly decreasing amount of time to play a rapidly increasing number of titles.
If they choose to stay the course, what SE will be left with is a gathering of tiring hardcore PC gamers and a failing game designed for casual console players.

Choices on the Road Ahead

Consider the mountain of fixes that dedicated players have been asking for since the early stages of beta testing. Think about the loss of faith among players who should be singing SE's praises. Read the hard-hitting yet honest reviews. With FFXIV in its infancy, how should SE prepare to do business throughout the next decade?

The damage to FFXIV is already done, with the game holding the reputation of a bruised apple. Some will see only the bruise while others will gladly eat around it.

But the New York Comic Con gives Square-Enix a chance to change its direction. This is an opportunity for SE to finally grasp the importance of public relations and engage in open communication with the world media -- a communication which SE stated it wanted.

Actions speak louder than words though, and the developer of so many memorable titles is showing its true face. As of Oct. 8, the company has but a week-and-a-half to ensure it retains its starting playerbase beyond the trail period. Without those valuable players -- and in the face of all this negative publicity -- FFXIV may fail before reaching its March console release. While a company with the resources of SE can certainly absorb a failed product, it shouldn't do so while the rest of the gaming industry sprints past it into 2011.

The question remains: will Square-Enix stop and fill up at the New York Comic Con, or will it attempt to coast on fumes until the PS3 release?

[TheGrandMom]

Re: FFXIV gets a 4.0 from Gamespot

In XI you can just hit F8 to target the nearest NPC... why this is absent in XIV is just stupid, and makes large-group battles very very annoying. I don't want to have to tab through 10+ targets watching carefully for when I get a fix on the mob.

And if you have any lag while tabbing, it just makes it even more frustrating!

[Rodin]

Re: FFXIV gets a 4.0 from Gamespot

One of the many complaints that I've had with Final Fantasy as a series is Square's decision to make gameplay more linear by removing the free roaming worlds. The developers decided to out this after they deemed the main character standing taller than a city, "unrealistic". (Tell that to the guy who just told a meteor to collide with the planet using a black rock.) When SE made that decision, it drastically cut down on side quests, and made the games smaller. What SE needs to do isn't concentrate on graphics and fast, action based battles. It needs to stick with the basics. The things we've come to love about the FF series that keeps us coming back to see what happens to a new hero, in a new world.

[Aeni]

Re: FFXIV gets a 4.0 from Gamespot

Some will see only the bruise while others will gladly eat around it.

This is me right now and probably will be for the next 5 months unless something goes horribly, horribly wrong.

[Aksannyi]

Re: FFXIV gets a 4.0 from Gamespot

Well, I've made up my mind. Not bothering until the PS3 release, and up until that point, I'm going to soak in all of the negatives and positives I can find, read all of the update notes, see what's changed and what hasn't, and if it hasn't gotten to the point where it's "playable" (in my book) by then, I won't bother. Figure by March I may have the money for that new PC and paying the monthly fee, so I'll give this game until that timeframe.

It's sad, I was actually thinking I'd probably step right on in and play this game another five years like I did with XI. I'm disappointed in SE that I'm so apathetic toward their game when I should be super excited. That's not really marketing's fault, for the record, it's the game itself. It just really sucks, for SE and for me. Because I was definitely looking to immerse myself in another MMO. Maybe I'll restart WoW on another toon or something. Lol.

[Firewind]

Re: FFXIV gets a 4.0 from Gamespot

One of the many complaints that I've had with Final Fantasy as a series is Square's decision to make gameplay more linear by removing the free roaming worlds. The developers decided to out this after they deemed the main character standing taller than a city, "unrealistic". (Tell that to the guy who just told a meteor to collide with the planet using a black rock.) When SE made that decision, it drastically cut down on side quests, and made the games smaller. What SE needs to do isn't concentrate on graphics and fast, action based battles. It needs to stick with the basics. The things we've come to love about the FF series that keeps us coming back to see what happens to a new hero, in a new world.

I'd like you to name an FF game not called "FFXII" that isn't linear as a piece of string. All that has changes is how travelling from objective to objective is presented. Instead of walking to the next objective along a clear cut path on the world map screen, you walk to the next objective on a clear cut path through rendered areas.

The only FF game where you can really wander off this path and explore for yourself is FFXII, and even then the game is very linear once you realise you can never change the order in which you travel to each plot relevant objective. In all the other games if you try to wander off the path you will simply find that you can't due to a mountain or ocean being in the way (or impossible random encounter if it's FFII). Even when you get an airship you often can't get to specific places until the plot say you can.

[Raydeus]

Re: FFXIV gets a 4.0 from Gamespot

Right now I just want FFVIII HD. Is that too much to ask?

[Grizzlebeard]

Re: FFXIV gets a 4.0 from Gamespot

And another review from Gametrailers.com

I'd like you to name an FF game not called "FFXII" that isn't linear as a piece of string.

Seven wasn't linear. There were plenty of activities to do outside of the main quest arc such as raising chocobos to gain access to the hidden materia, fighting and beating Emerald and Ruby weapons, the whole of Golden Saucer, etc.

[Armando]

Re: FFXIV gets a 4.0 from Gamespot

The only FF game where you can really wander off this path and explore for yourself is FFXII, and even then the game is very linear once you realise you can never change the order in which you travel to each plot relevant objective.

Which RPGs fit this criteria other than Chrono Cross and Kingdom Hearts? I haven't played an impressive amount of them but most standard RPGs won't let you mix up the order in which shit happens, because that sounds like a writing nightmare for the producer/scenario writer.

As far as I'm concerned there's two kinds of linearity: plot linearity (events will always happen in the same order) and content linearity (inability to wander off the beaten path, do side quests or go to optional or future plot places early, even if you won't advance the plot that way.) Most FF games at least gave some unlinearity content-wise. There was a limit to how far you could wander off before you were forced to go back and trigger plot events, but you could still sometimes wander off and visit new places ahead of time, maybe pop open some chests or buy some gear early.

[Firewind]

Re: FFXIV gets a 4.0 from Gamespot

Which RPGs fit this criteria other than Chrono Cross and Kingdom Hearts? I haven't played an impressive amount of them but most standard RPGs won't let you mix up the order in which shit happens, because that sounds like a writing nightmare for the producer/scenario writer.

As far as I'm concerned there's two kinds of linearity: plot linearity (events will always happen in the same order) and content linearity (ability to wander off and do side quests or go to optional or future plot places early, even if you won't advance the plot that way.) Most FF games at least had content linearity.

There's nothing wrong with a linear game. It just pisses me off when people moan about an FF game being linear when they all are. Some are better at creating the illusion of freedom than others (FFVI and FFX are the best examples) and some are better at distracting you (FFVII)

Mount and Blade
Persona 3 and 4 (Well with the S.Links anyway)
The Shin Megami Tensei games do have branching storylines and decisions do actually make a difference later on so they sort of count I guess but not really at the same time
Pretty much the entire Elder Scroll series.
Dragon Age
Neverwinter Nights series (sort of)
Demon's Souls (not that it had much of a plot anyway but the game's levels can be done in any order)
Final Fantasy X-2 (everyone forgot to mention this which is probably the least linear SE game out)
Fallout 1 and 2
Mass Effect 1 and 2
Deus Ex
Uncharted Waters series
Shadowrun
Pretty much the entire Ultima series

[TheGrandMom]

Re: FFXIV gets a 4.0 from Gamespot

And another review from Gametrailers.com

You know I nearly cried watching this. It breaks my heart that this game is producing comments like this. I had such high hopes...

[Raydeus]

Re: FFXIV gets a 4.0 from Gamespot

Ouch.

[MrMageo]

Re: FFXIV gets a 4.0 from Gamespot

called it, pay to play beta testing wooohooo.

I do not doubt that things will get ironed out, but really this is the same team that left FFXI stagnant for 4-5 years after ToAU was released. This is the same team that virtually ignored the community on various game issues from job balance to UI issues. This is the same team that virtually destroyed any real variety in the job system relegating it to the super 7 and the rest I guess can be useful sometimes jobs.

I don't expect these devs to really pounce on anything which is a shame, we have seen this crew at work for nearly a decade. In 6 months many of our old ideas have been addressed from BLU spells set memory to jobs being useful (see pup and bst popularity increases), these are done at the hands of the current FFXI team. It is sad that these "new" devs are working on the old game and the old devs are not. What is even more sad is that these devs should have prior knowledge of what an MMO requires from nearly a decade of working on XI.

I do not expect these issues to be resolved quickly, and unfortunately many will likely never get resolved at all. SE is their own worst enemy, and unless they drastically fix this game fast, people will likely stick or move to WoW when Cataclysm drops. SE is just a terrible MMO company, the game has promise but needs real devs, MMO's become awesome when the player base and the devs can work together to fix issues and generate new things, not when the devs just say no no no, we can't hear you, it works how we want it to work, like it or play something else...in the end play something else is what people usually decide to do.

(if you don't believe that just look at the mass exodus of people from FFXI between 2005 and 2009 huge numbers of people leaving because the game never grew.)

[Aksannyi]

Re: FFXIV gets a 4.0 from Gamespot

I feel the universe might implode upon itself, for I find myself thanking Mr. Mageo.