
Originally Posted by
TribalRocket
IMHO, FFXI is not worth trying unless you can find 5 others to play with you.
This game takes lots of time. It's not a casual-friendly game. 1-37 is usually the easy part, with the party aspect of the game averagely starting at 15. Invites will slow down after 20-ish, however, since most of the good EXP areas require a quest to unlock; Kazham requiring three keys from three different mobs on different parts of the world, for example.
If you decide to play, be at least ready to set aside 3-4 hours partying when you find a group. Most members get very discouraged once you set up camp after an hour in and you have to leave. Seriously, stay away unless you can devote lots of time to this game.
The game itself is very rewarding. Most of the time I felt accomplished when coming to certain missions and spending a good two-three hours on it, and the in-game rewards get even better; Level 30 Rings from CoP, Level 60 Earring from RoZ are two that came to mind.
Questing grants no experience gain. Only very little gil, fame for your nation, and with some quests, the ability to take on other strings are rewards.
The crafting mode isn't as EZ-Mode as WoW or other games, and one that I really enjoyed. All skills in the game are based on skill ups that range from 0-0.5, and skillups can be gained from successful and unsuccessful attempts. A big twist to the system, though, is how often you skill; what may take one person 5 crafts to go from level 11 Clothcraft to 12, may take another 10-15 crafts. It's very in-depth and if you decide to dabble in it, look up guides on the profession you want for the correct times and facing.
If you haven't figured it out yet, though, the game is a time sink. Emphasis to state my point. In order for you to effectively play one job at level 75, you may need a range of subjobs at 37 in order to keep functioning. None the less, farming for the most optimal equipment for your class as you progress. Many people shun people with horrible equipment for there levels as "gimp" and refuse to invite/boot people as they see fit in there EXP party. You shouldn't have to worry, though, because the economy looks like it did now when it used to be in 2004, plus there is a general "must-have" list for all classes available if you research.
For instance, as a Samurai in the game, I needed to be +30 to unlock it. Okay, but also after 18, your required to have your sub. So, I leveled Monk to 18, and then Warrior to 37 to get my subjob out of the way. Now, before I had touched Samurai, I went back and leveled Thief up to 37, which required me to play Ninja to at least 18. After getting those two up, I got to playing Samurai up to level 50, where then I had to stop and unlock Genkai 1 to get to 55, and every five levels after that all the way to Genkai 5, to finnaly unlock level 75. After hitting 75, I soon realize that to be fully effective at my job, I need Ranger now. So, I end up unlocking and leveling Ranger to 37. So in that time span, to get the full enjoyment of my main class, I had to level 5 jobs not including my main one a total of 147 times to get full enjoyment 75 levels later down the road.
AFAIK about payments, there is no offical gamecard for the game. Never will be either, as it looks. Rate is $12.95USD a month, plus an additional $1.00USD per extra character. You're allowed one character, with the option to pay the $1.00USD a month extra if you wanted another character for muleing, ect. Credit-cards are the only option, but I have heard of some giftcards working.
They do offer a CD trial, similar to WoW. I believe it's $3.99USD for a two-week/30-day period of free play? You may want to look into that before you settle to actually start P2P.
I enjoyed the game though, but just be prepared for the worst in XI. I played from JP release, so getting to 75 was a whole lot easier for me back then than now would be. Expect a lack of players in newbie zones and level ranges, since most people have a 75 already and don't go back to level other jobs/subjobs anymore.
The Vana'diel Collection 2008 is coming out April 15th, as Atiari said, which should sell for $29.99USD retail, containing Final Fantasy XI, plus all four expansions on one DVD-Install, a free first month, plus a 30-Day Buddy Pass for another person to trial the game free.