Square's last MMORPG (massively multi-player online role-playing game) was Final Fantasy XI. We reviewed it way back in issue 49 and gave it 85%, citing its major problem as a lack of accessibility. Because if you didn't have a large group of friends, all with PS2s, special PS2 hard-drives and import copies of the game, the fun was severely limited. But that's all changed in XIV, a timed PS3 exclusive. We interviewed producers Sage Sundi and Hiromichi Tanaka at GamesCom and they explained the changes they've made to make new MMO, FFXIV, fun for everyone, not just groups of friends.
"In FFXI the focus was on working together to take down large monsters." Explains Tanaka. "In FFXIV you'll be able to play on your own for a lot of the game. Later, when you encounter higher level monsters, you'll need to co-operate with other players and take up your own role in that group."
Final Fantasy XIV Online
Official trailer
1:43Trailer featuring the first glimpse of in-game visuals
Final Fantasy XIV Online
Official trailer
1:43Trailer featuring the first glimpse of in-game visuals
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Final Fantasy XIV Online
Official trailer
1:43Trailer featuring the first glimpse of in-game visuals
The core of the game has also been simplified. Rather than level your character up with traditional experience points earned by killing enemies, a new job system is in place. "We didn't want the user to be restricted by having one job; we wanted them to have more flexibility" says Sundi. "Not having levelling up is nothing new in the genre, it's just that it has been made 'the norm' by games like World of Warcraft. If you look back in the Final Fantasy series, FFII had a skill-based system instead of a level-based mechanic, so we have it in our heritage too."
This means you'll be able to switch easily between classes depending on how you want to approach a situation. Maybe you need to back your team up with healing spells? Then become a white mage. Or maybe you favour strong physical attacks? A knight is probably your best bet. This flexible system means you won't be stuck with one playing style, which increases the game's overall accessibility.
So what's the truth behind FFXIV's apparent PS3 exclusivity? Despite the bombastic announcement at this year's E3, the reality isn't quite as dramatic. FFXI was cross-platform, meaning you could play with PC users, and Square want the same for the sequel. But because of some internal Microsoft rules, they won't let Square implement this into the 360 version at the moment (negotiations are, sadly, underway though).
Sony on the other hand, don't mind that kind of thing, so we get the title first. And we get the added bonus of playing with people on PC from the start. There will also be a subscription fee, though Square isn't talking about how much it'll be yet.
Just like in XI, you choose from a selection of races when creating your character. These are the Hyur, who are similar to humans; the Elezen, who are a bit like elves; the Lalafell, tiny humanoids with superior intelligence and agility; the Roegadyn who are huge, powerful brutes; and the Miqo'te, a race of cat-like creatures. Your appearance is determined by your job, although you'll be able to customise your looks with additional armour.
It's all set in a totally new world called Eorza. After a long and brutal war, the world is at peace leaving thousands of soldiers and mercenaries without work. This leads them to become full-time adventurers for hire, forming guilds and seeking their fortune by performing odd-jobs, killing monsters, and hunting down hidden treasures.
XI failed because the PS2's network was a mess. But now nearly every PS3 user is hooked up online, and the steps Square Enix have made to making the game easier to play for newcomers and solo players should make this a fantastic first introduction to MMORPGs on PS3.
I'm not sure what surprises me more, this game looking good for a JRPG or CVG actually previewing a PS3 game for once. Then again it's really from PSM3.
The Final Fantasy series is well known for bringing what many players believe to be a rich, complex storyline, and an over-world that captivates you visually. The latest flagship product still has plenty to unveil in the coming months, and possibly information on their beta testing schedule.
Become a part of the fastest growing Final Fantasy XIV community, join-in at the ground level to take full advantage of what it has to offer. Join today to be the first to be notified when beta information is announced.
i played FF11 on PC for about 3 months,couldn't get into it,when the free Beta came for the 360 i tried it again and ended up staying for 2 years,i loved it and made a lot of friends...i still miss it
But because of some internal Microsoft rules, they won't let Square implement this into the 360 version at the moment (negotiations are, sadly, underway though).
How can we expect people to remain unfanboyish on this site when the staff are posting this sort of thing?
Exactly why would it be "sad" to have FFXIV on the 360, or the PC or even the Wii for that matter?
I just hope SE do a simple monthly subscription like WOW rather than the silly system they have in place on the PC where you pay x amount for first game, x amount for email, x amount for next chapter. The complication put me and mates of despite picking up the DVD game for £2.99. I'd be happy to pay £8.99 per month for FF like wow. SE you listening?
But because of some internal Microsoft rules, they won't let Square implement this into the 360 version at the moment (negotiations are, sadly, underway though).
How can we expect people to remain unfanboyish on this site when the staff are posting this sort of thing?
Exactly why would it be "sad" to have FFXIV on the 360, or the PC or even the Wii for that matter?
Read it again numb nuts... PSM3 wrote the article not CVG.
But because of some internal Microsoft rules, they won't let Square implement this into the 360 version at the moment (negotiations are, sadly, underway though).
How can we expect people to remain unfanboyish on this site when the staff are posting this sort of thing?
Exactly why would it be "sad" to have FFXIV on the 360, or the PC or even the Wii for that matter?
Read it again numb nuts... PSM3 wrote the article not CVG.
Yeah you're right, sorry my bad. Still a fairly fanboyish comment to make in a professional publication.
No levelling up sounds good to me. I gave up on FFXI after weeks of interminable level-slogging.
I kinda enjoyed the leveling aspect of FFXI once they figured it out, people that started at launch had to deal with a lot more of the "grind" then people that started more recently.
I do hope they keep a similar job system. FFXI's job system allows for a lot more growth to a character then other games.
But because of some internal Microsoft rules, they won't let Square implement this into the 360 version at the moment (negotiations are, sadly, underway though).
How can we expect people to remain unfanboyish on this site when the staff are posting this sort of thing?
Exactly why would it be "sad" to have FFXIV on the 360, or the PC or even the Wii for that matter?
Read it again numb nuts... PSM3 wrote the article not CVG.
Yeah you're right, sorry my bad. Still a fairly fanboyish comment to make in a professional publication.
Professional publication cough splutter anyway it's not a PS3 game it's multi format game coming to PC(possibly 360) and all.
Yay i never got into WoW (mostly because of subscription charges) but i would definately invest monthly for any FF games provided it looked and played well enough offline. By the sounds of it this game is gunna play out like a kinda standard FF game and Monster Hunter cross over where you need loads of different classes to kill certain monsters. Not surprising though, in Japan they have cafes set up dedicated to monster hunter..im sure SE want a piece of that action.
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anyway it's not a PS3 game it's multi format game coming to PC(possibly 360) and all.
