encephalon
Member
This is my third try attempting FFXI. I tried once in 2008, had a free trial and somehow terminated my account in 2015 (no memory of this), and started fresh again this year. I had never really made it beyond Bastok before now. It's been an experience. Maybe a bit of a lonely one - almost everyone is gone now. I joined a linkshell named "beginner's manor" and found everyone at level 99. Towns are pretty empty now, except for the dedicated few. I managed to stumble across a party in the Valkrum dunes once, but have found myself mostly relying on the "faith" ("trust") system, where you can employ NPC parties. I'm having fun with the game and being able to freely explore locations by relying on a summoned party is convenient, but ... I kind of feel like I missed out on an experience that can no longer be found in the game.
I'm coming at the game from the perspective of FFXIV and there are lot of things I like about FFXI so far. I like that dungeons are something you walk into and not something you sign up for and wait. FFXIV is definitely more convenient that way, but the world in FFXIV seems to get lost somewhere along the way. At least before the next expansion comes out. The graphics are rudimentary, but the art direction shows through. And I find myself having to go through many varied locations in order to meet early objectives. The world is overwhelming, but it's also kind of a good thing. And I only have two expansions installed. Unfortunately, I can't really talk about classes. I'm still a lowly warrior making my way towards Samurai. There's also something that doesn't really seem to happen in FFXIV, albeit maybe less than in the past - friendly people will offer to help out. You can walk somewhere fighting somewhere, and a veteran will cast protect on you and wish you luck. You can be fighting Quadavs in the mines and someone might offer to help you farm whatever it is you're looking for. When I originally played the game in 2008 someone bought all of my equipment. I guess people don't have to rely on each other as much as before with the faith system in place, but it's something that feels a little more integrated. I'm only playing FFXIV because I have friends on there already (not so much now that I'm trying this out).
I've visited the main three cities, with many locations unexplored. I spent hours climbing a tower near Jeuno with cutscenes I couldn't really understand the significance of. And now I'm in Norg. I suppose it's only a matter of time before they end it (once that mobile version goes up?), but I wanted to experience some version of the game before it's over.
I've blocked out my name, but you can PM me if you want to know my username.
Update - 7/30
I'm coming at the game from the perspective of FFXIV and there are lot of things I like about FFXI so far. I like that dungeons are something you walk into and not something you sign up for and wait. FFXIV is definitely more convenient that way, but the world in FFXIV seems to get lost somewhere along the way. At least before the next expansion comes out. The graphics are rudimentary, but the art direction shows through. And I find myself having to go through many varied locations in order to meet early objectives. The world is overwhelming, but it's also kind of a good thing. And I only have two expansions installed. Unfortunately, I can't really talk about classes. I'm still a lowly warrior making my way towards Samurai. There's also something that doesn't really seem to happen in FFXIV, albeit maybe less than in the past - friendly people will offer to help out. You can walk somewhere fighting somewhere, and a veteran will cast protect on you and wish you luck. You can be fighting Quadavs in the mines and someone might offer to help you farm whatever it is you're looking for. When I originally played the game in 2008 someone bought all of my equipment. I guess people don't have to rely on each other as much as before with the faith system in place, but it's something that feels a little more integrated. I'm only playing FFXIV because I have friends on there already (not so much now that I'm trying this out).
I've visited the main three cities, with many locations unexplored. I spent hours climbing a tower near Jeuno with cutscenes I couldn't really understand the significance of. And now I'm in Norg. I suppose it's only a matter of time before they end it (once that mobile version goes up?), but I wanted to experience some version of the game before it's over.
I've blocked out my name, but you can PM me if you want to know my username.
This is what male objectification looks like.
Fought a dragon after a scene making reference to an ancient evil awakening. There's a lot of talk about a war, but I don't know too much about it.
Got my chocobo license. Working on getting an egg.
Took an airship for the first time, to Khazam.
And made my way to Norg today, undertaking the Samurai quest.
Update - 7/30
Update - 8/06
Update - 8/12
Update - 8/22