So, I'm thinking about coming back to FFXI...again...

[Akebeth]

I've been off and on with this game since it has came out. (If anyone here remembers me I'll be shocked ;) ) The last time I was going to come back, the horrible graphics got to me, but I didn't know that there was actually a high-res thingy with better graphics that came out (Recently maybe? I have no clue, just randomly found out about it on the site. For all I know it could have always been there I was just too much of a noob to look for it. >.>)

So does anyone have any screen shots with the graphics at max? I guess I had them at the lowest, never really checked, dunno why I was so dumb. =/ If I could twink it to make the graphics standable that would rule. I always loved FFXI's class system, that's the main reason I want to come back. Heh, thanks in advanced. :p

[Yeargdribble]

I'll just link a few awesome pics. Some are a little touched up and I can't tell which all are because I'll be linking to pics that aren't my own. However, on PC you can really make the graphics look extremely impressive. Some of the backgrounds don't have the best detail but most of the character models are very detailed.

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/9002/lwvyzassaultzi9.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/Secksi_ffxi/runaway.png

http://sienna.hu/screenshots/boyahda.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/cgreer11/Temperance1.jpg

[Rostum]

Don't let it suck you in and take away your life. :(

[Markus. D]

awww its not so bad.

[Mirage]

I've been off and on with this game since it has came out. (If anyone here remembers me I'll be shocked ;) ) The last time I was going to come back, the horrible graphics got to me, but I didn't know that there was actually a high-res thingy with better graphics that came out (Recently maybe? I have no clue, just randomly found out about it on the site. For all I know it could have always been there I was just too much of a noob to look for it. >.>)

So does anyone have any screen shots with the graphics at max? I guess I had them at the lowest, never really checked, dunno why I was so dumb. =/ If I could twink it to make the graphics standable that would rule. I always loved FFXI's class system, that's the main reason I want to come back. Heh, thanks in advanced. :p

Who cares about graphics anyway?
They look better on my PC than what most PS2s can pump out, so if you still play PS2 games, they shouldn't bother you. One thing you should know though, is that the game is just a port of the PS2 version, and it utilizes very little of your graphics card. What matters if you want good performance is a powerful CPU.

[oddler]

I'm back, also. I stopped playing six months ago and I have no idea why. This game is so awesome. I just reinstalled everything and started up again.

[Del Murder]

Graphics are important. Visual stimulation is one of the best things about video games. If it wasn't then we'd all be happy with text based games.

Especially with a game like this, with a vast and detailed world filled with different creatures, and the ability to distinguish your character by customizing his/her equipment, graphics play an important part in the FFXI experience. That being said, I'm pretty satisfied with the standard settings in the game, but seeing those screenshots above make me want a better graphics card because they are stunning.

So to summarize, I think graphics are important, but I don't think FFXI's graphics are horrible. They aren't great, but I think they are good enough to get someone to enjoy the game fully.

[Mirage]

Okay then, the graphics count, but they're not the main thing that drives me to play a game. They are important for the first impression, sure, but the gameplay is what really counts. Music plays an important role for the feel of the game too, maybe just as much as the difference between good and bad graphics.

Also Del Murder, don't worry about getting a better graphics card in order to get better graphics in FFXI. As I said, FFXI isn't programmed to utilize graphics cards very well in the first place (because it's just a PS2 port), so a fast CPU would be what makes a difference rather than a good graphics card. I know of a guy who plays FFXI in 1600x1200 with all effects set to max, and he's got a Geforce 2(that's more than 4 years old, maybe more than 5 too). It's his fast CPU that makes it possible.

[Del Murder]

Ok, and you are right that gameplay is the most important thing of course. I'm not going to buy a new computer just to play this game so I'll be satisfied with what I have.

[Miriel]

Daaaang, yearg! That last screenshot is sooo crystal clear. FFXI doesn't look anything like that on my computer. :(

[Mirage]

Yeah, it has much higher antialiasing setting than what the game usually has, that's the first thing I notice about it. I believe you need to tweak stuff in the registry to get that.
I won't try it on this laptop though, cause it's already chocking at the maximum settings without tweaks. However, when I get my stationary up and running again, I'm going to tweak it to look much more awesome than it normally is. ;)

You know, a thing I think would have been awesome is if S-E released a patch with higher resolution textures that we PC users could choose to use. Doubt it will happen though.

[Yeargdribble]

The only way to get FFXI to look that good is to tweak the registry values. The biggest problem is that FFXI is a horrible emulation of the PS2 version on PC. It runs almost completely on your processor and very little on your video card. This causes quite a bottleneck.

However, if you have video card that will allow you to force AF and FSAA you can make it look even better. Tweaking certain registry values alone can give a really nice pseudo-FSAA effect.

I notice that at least some of the pics I posted are slightly editted. Mostly the last one has a blur effect added to the background and certain lighting effects enhanced in the foreground to create that ultra clear look. However, you can actually make the game look a bit like that while running. It is a matter of preference but if you tweak the 0000 value in the registry to around 6 it will make your backgrounds blur like that. Some people like it and some don't. For performance sake I usually don't run like this but when I want to I have it set to 4 instead of 6 for a nice comfortable blur on distant backgrounds.

I really should find that registry tweak thread and crosspost it here.

[Akebeth]

I don't think graphics are the most important thing in the world, but they do stand out a lot. Gameplay is important, and the reason I'm thinking of switching back. (Have been playing World of Warcraft since it came out off and on too.) I loved the class system of FFXI, and most of the classes themselves. The menu system is a little boring, and seeing the loading screen for a short second switching areas is...blah...but I can get over that.

I like the people in general that play FFXI more than I do WoW, and the classes I adore. The battle system is good, perhapse a little too depending on the whm, but a rdm can take up the job for quite a while, and I do love both the whm and rdm classes and I love pretty much every class...and there are the two new ones out now...gawd, I'll probably be back soon if I keep talking myself into it. >.<

[Rostum]

Three new classes out now, and all of the others have had things added to them.

Also, just be aware that it is a very party dependent game, that can either be a downfall or something great. It's up to you.

Anyways, here's that Registry Thread (http://www.ffxionline.com/forums/game-setup-tweeking-optimizing-q/19223-enabled-higher-resolution-background-textures-game-looks-amazing-look-see-how.html?highlight=registry).

[Akebeth]

Also, just be aware that it is a very party dependent game, that can either be a downfall or something great. It's up to you.


I know, I know, it used to be my life. :p It'll take me forever to get back up there again, oh wells.

And thanks for the link. =D

Edit: Puppetmaster?! Zomg!!!11oneoneone I waaaaant to try it ouuuut. T_T Why does FFXI have to be so tempting!

[Yeargdribble]

If it helps your temptation any... PUP is currently the biggest joke in the game.

[Akebeth]

If it helps your temptation any... PUP is currently the biggest joke in the game.

Awww, sounded like a cool class. o.O Oh wells, always have my trusty Thief! Now the problem is money. Lawl. >.> What's wrong with the PUP though? (Even though I'll probably have it researched before you repost heh. =p)

[Markus. D]

oooh I donno, this is mr Yeargdribble, he would probably have it posted before I actually post this.

edit: or... not.... but anyways.

[Yeargdribble]

Well the biggest problem with PUP is that when it was released they didn't really expect that several people would have 75 PUPs in a few weeks.

The weakness was that a level 75 PUP has the same attachments and abilities essentially as a level 1 PUP. Attachments weren't made to scale up. PUP is an amazing and damn near over-powered class at earlier levels, but due to poor planning they start to plateau at around 30. The automaton learns new things but SE hasn't yet released a full set of new attachments scaling all the way to the top. Once this is done, PUP will probably work better.

They also don't seem to have any particular role to fill in a PT. However, PUP at 50+ can be a decent tank by a good combination of enmity and DEF/VIT gear. Setting up your Automaton with the right attachments will make it spam Cure IV on you almost without ceasing. This is a hate-free spam curing which saves resources and apparently can work pretty well.


As SE releases more attachments that help the job scale better it might turn out to be a better job.

However, keep in mind that even if the job is eventually buffed up to be all that is should be, the community will probably always hold it as a butt of joke and won't take it very seriously. DRG is a good job that people have a distaste for just because it's popular to think, "loldrg." Same with DRK. With the addition of Absorb-TP a DRK can be an amazing asset to a PT but they have a reputation that is difficult to fix.

[Akebeth]

Ah, I understand. =) Yeah I remember all the overlooking of classes, heh. Same with every mmo, there will always be classes that are over looked. Still have no clue what race/class I'll be if I do come back, going to start brand new, just not quite decided. (Was always my main problem, too indecisive. -.-)

[Markus. D]

yessum, it also happens this MORPGs (Multiplayer Online RPG) aswell.

for example, in Guild Wars the Ranger is almost ALWAYS overlooked in a party, and is the first to be kicked if they find any other sort of class.

and as for the FFXI thief, I still dont really know why people grunt in disgust of it on my server.

[Mirage]

I've never been in a party where the leader would kick one character in favour of one that is considered better. I would only kick someone who didn't do their job, this would be for example a mage that melee'd. The only instance where I could imagine one being kicked to invite another person, would be if the party had nothing but damage dealers and no healer. However, no one should make such a party in the first place.

Also, thieves aren't bad :(, according to some veteran players I know, they're actually one of the best damage dealers endgame. Many daggers have been made stronger too. I have no idea why rangers are getting kicked either, I thought they were good even after the ranged attack nerf.

[Yeargdribble]

for example, the Ranger is almost ALWAYS overlooked in a party, and is the first to be kicked if they find any other sort of class.


lol... it's funny because once upon a time RNG was such a powerful class. People would kick any melee job as soon as a RNG put their flag up in order to get the RNG. Most RNGs were a--holes. They knew that HNM shells and XP PTs worshiped them and let it go to their heads. When they were adjusted... most just quit or changed to BLM. Now, even though SE is trying to adjust them back to at least a shadow of their former glory... nobody cares. It's too late.

Once a job has been nerfed hard, almost nothing can make people like them again. They will always carry the stigma they once had.



As for deciding what race to play, I guess just pick something you can handle looking at. Keep in mind what kinda jobs you might want to play. However, I started as a taru and I now enjoy doing things that would be easier if I were maybe a Galka. But it's also fun to be extra challenged as a taru melee or tank. There are things I can do that, as a taru, will put people's jaws on the floor at times.

If you wanna be boring and just wanna try a lot out you can always go Hume for the balance. Honestly, I think Mithra (though less evenly balanced than a Hume) actually offers more in a balance sense than Hume across all jobs.

Also keep in mind that you can play a lot of jobs and see what you like. That's part of the beauty of FFXI. Another bright side is that most of your stats are retained from job to job. My Sword and Dagger Skills are both capped at 75 on BRD. This means that on all of the other jobs I would use Sword or Dagger on, they will be pre-capped, making me more powerful than someone just starting out on that job. Other things that are good for all jobs, like evasion, parry, etc. will also stay in place. This makes each subsequent job that much easier, and I dare say, more enjoyable to level.

[Markus. D]

ooops, I meant to say GW... somwhere in that RNG sentance...

[Akebeth]

Tarutaru are my favorite race from way back when, but I know I'd want to become some melee class sometime, and little tiny Taru do not look that great as an Elvaan for a dragoon or something in my opinion. So totally stuck on it again, will probably end up leveling a taru and another seperately. Taru for my love of magic, and maaaaybe ninja (though I might go hume for that...) I dunno, I've got all the time in the world to level I suppose, it just takes SO long!!! >_<

Jobs that interrest me the most...

-Bard
-Summoner
-Ninja
-Thief
-Pupeteer
-Corsair
-Red Mage (My first job ever. ^_^)

Of course EVERY class (save Beastmaster and Blue Mage, not as fond of them as the rest) I love. That's why I'm probably coming back, the classes of FFXI are my favorite in any mmo to date. The class system itself is very good, a main and sub class makes the game unique to a point. =)

[Shadow Masamune]

Why would you waste your money on a worthless subscription fee?

[Miriel]

Why would you waste your money on a worthless subscription fee?

It's not worthless. It provides hours of fun and entertainment. :D

[Yeargdribble]

MMOs definitely give the most bang for your buck if you play with even mild consistency. Think of all of the other things you pay for to entertain you. Buying a movie (20ish buck) that you might watch a handful of times... maybe 10 hours of entertainment. I spend less than that in a month and am entertained for far more hours than I would be by many other forms of entertainment.

[Markus. D]

Why would you waste your money on a worthless subscription fee?

FFXI gave Square most of its funds to create FFXII. :)?

[Mirage]

Why would you waste your money on a worthless subscription fee?

Why would you waste your money on a worthless internet subscription fee?