First impressions

[Raistlin]

So I just created a character on Sargatanas, a dark elf (I already forget the FFXIV name) named Raine Argent. I figure I'll use this thread to post some first impressions and opinions of someone completely new to the game.

I must say, FFXIV is pretty. But the beginning so far has annoyed me. Admittedly I haven't played MMOs since high school, but I'm used to creating a character and then starting to play immediately -- not having 30 minutes of cut scenes and tutorials (which I didn't even finish, assuming there will be more on this newbie quest). Is this typical? Of course, my favorite MMO was Ultima Online, where you were thrust into the world as a defenseless and clueless lamb to the slaughter, so maybe MMO hand-holding just bugs me more than most.

Also, the controls with the keyboard+mouse seem somewhat awkward, especially moving the camera while running. Is it worth investing in a gamepad? Or maybe I just need to tweak the controls.

I'll try to get online earlier tomorrow after work so I can bug BoB and the rest of the LS.

[Loony BoB]

So I just created a character on Sargatanas, a dark elf (I already forget the FFXIV name) named Raine Argent. I figure I'll use this thread to post some first impressions and opinions of someone completely new to the game.

I must say, FFXIV is pretty. But the beginning so far has annoyed me. Admittedly I haven't played MMOs since high school, but I'm used to creating a character and then starting to play immediately -- not having 30 minutes of cut scenes and tutorials (which I didn't even finish, assuming there will be more on this newbie quest). Is this typical?
It is now, after so many people complained that they had no idea of what they were doing and demanded tutorials. xD

Of course, my favorite MMO was Ultima Online, where you were thrust into the world as a defenseless and clueless lamb to the slaughter, so maybe MMO hand-holding just bugs me more than most.
Don't worry, it won't last. Once you're done with the initial quest, you'll find yourself asking whoever you can "How do you..." more often than you would likely want to. xD

Also, the controls with the keyboard+mouse seem somewhat awkward, especially moving the camera while running. Is it worth investing in a gamepad? Or maybe I just need to tweak the controls.
The controls are dependant on the person, so yeah, I'd suggest tweaking them to suit your needs first. I prefer the combination of numpad+WASD for movement, for example, but I know others prefer different methods. I have heard that gamepads are great with the current UI because it was built around them, but haven't tried one as yet.

I'll try to get online earlier tomorrow after work so I can bug BoB and the rest of the LS.
Turns out Danielle's sister is here until Sunday morning, not this morning... so looks like it will have to be Sunday for you, dude.

[Raistlin]

That's fine. Sunday I don't do anything except watch football, so I can log in for a little bit, at least.

[Nightsintodreams]

Even with the tutorials that the game gives you, there STILL is not a lot of training. I am at cap now, with the storyline for GC complete and damn close to having the main storyline done...and I have yet to have any NPCs explain how to meld materia to me yet. I am glad I have my linkshell mates, otherwise I would be in serious trouble. :mad:

[Jinx]

I enjoyed what I played of this game, and thought the scenery was lovely.

But it's SO LAGGY it just kills my computer. :(

[Nightsintodreams]

I enjoyed what I played of this game, and thought the scenery was lovely.

But it's SO LAGGY it just kills my computer. :(

I have had to turn my settings -WAY- down in order to play this game. It took a long time for me to get this game to run at something other than 'barely moving' speed, so I understand your frustration.

I honestly -hate- Crystal Tools (the engine for this game). I still think it was a serious mistake of Square-Enix to make that the engine for this game.

I am hoping that A Realm Reborn at least will make it so that almost anyone can play, by lowering the PC requirements...

[Ouch!]

A Realm Reborn is using a completely new game engine that's better optimized to run on lower-end rigs. So... good news on that front!

[Fynn]

Does it play very differently from XI. I have heard that they changed the names of the world and races (even though the races seem the same, so why?) and that there is no longer so much focus on working in a group.

[Ouch!]

It is a completely independent world, and while the races are all very similar to those in Final Fantasy XI, they have changed slightly (Roegadyn--the new Galka--for example, have longer legs and no tail).

As far as gameplay, it plays differently from Final Fantasy XI. Endgame content still requires a full group most of the time (which is eight by now), but you can solo from level 1 to 50 on any class, although I would say the vast majority of people start to team up around 30-35 because the leveling just gets so much faster. If you're not partying from 40-50, you're an awfully silly person. There is, however, the option to solo through a large portion of the content. Almost every quest until about level 45 can be completed solo, but then every endgame dungeon, boss fight, or artifact equipment quest needs a group of at least four (the maximum being eight). There's some higher-level content that can be done with 4-5 people (some AF quests, caravan escort, Dzmael Darkhold), but most of it will require a full party of eight (Aurum Vale, Cutter's Cry, Ifrit, Garuda, Grand Compete missons, Hamlet Defense).