All time favorite FFXI zone

[Gulder]

After 7 years of game play I still find myself drawn to this, even after all my original friends have moved on to other things. I've been trying to figure out what exactly it is that makes me log in daily.

It may be that the game's atmosphere and music has a lot to do with it. Which brings me to my favorite zone, South Gustaberg. I love the music there and when the sun is setting, the place just feels like home. (On a side note, does it remind anyone of the 2002 PS2 game "Way of the Samurai"?)

So gents, which zone in FFXI is your all time favorite zone, and why? Discuss.

[Bubeeky]

My favorite ffxi zone is Purgonourgo Isle (I hope I spelled that right lol) it reminds me of hawaii, like the postcard hawaii, and it's just so relaxing there....I like all the zones in ffxi for various reasons tho :)

[Seha]

South Gustaberg?! That's Netherland...to me Misareaux Coast(the waterfall spot is beautiful), Sky(not running around it though), Al'Taieu, Ru'Lude Gardens and the more obvious Purgonorgo Isle <3

[Rafien]

Bastok Mines if I'm sitting some place waiting for someone, but best fighting place is by far South Gustaberg.

[Ironside]

Hmmm... Misareaux Coast, Ru'Aun Gardens, and Al'Taieu are definitely all up there for me. The battlefield portions of both Empyreal Paradox areas are amazing, and I've always kinda liked Promyvion and the starter areas (Gustaberg, funny enough, is my least favorite though.)

Also, Sanctuary of Zi'Tah.

[Mnejing]

Ronfaure, mostly because of this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_Jx8Xgy8Xs.

[Gulder]

I very much like every zone that's been mentioned thus far, each for various reasons. Gustaberg was where I first started the game, as well as Ronfaure. So playing in those zones brings back good memories of years ago.

[Lushipur]

Hall of the Gods and Sea

[Meyi]

All time favorite zone is Ru'Aun Gardens. If there is a paradise I want it to look similar to this.

But of course I love many zones of Vana'diel. South Gustaberg is beautiful and it reminds me of the fresh adventuring atmosphere I experienced when I initially began playing the game. Sanctuary of Zi'tah is also beautiful and reminds me of the early summer mornings I would spend farming Tree Cuttings with my friend (after we were finished I'd always sit outside and watch the sun rise). Jeuno once held a dear place in my heart but has lost some of its appeal upon returning from Whitegate. Al'Taieu is also soothing, though the acid trip sky coupled with the UFOs sometimes makes me feel more anxious than relaxed.

Manaclippers and airships are nice as well. I pretty much enjoy the majority of Vana'diel. I can only name a few zones that I don't like, such as Caedarva Mire...

[Teraniku]

Misreaux Coast The Waterfall near the entrance to the Sacrarium. My all time favorite spot:

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/8959/ter090425054548a.jpg

[slakyak]

South Gustaberg for me too! Where I first got Protect and Shell with the red "?" next to my name off a random RDM and found out what MMOs are all about!

[Taint2]

Mis Coast, way down south near the cliffs. Esp during a storm the weather effects are awesome there.

South Gustaberg is where it all started for me, I even like to listen to the music there.

[Bubeeky]

Another good spot that I just remembered is the Lufaise Meadows, specifically that little strip of land where you can see Tavnazia from afar...as in the exact same view as they have in the opening CS, I like that place :)

[Zatias]

Witchfire Glen at night. Reminds me of an old friend.

[Selamis]

Ronfaure, started the game there as a Sandy native and spents a lot of time there. Something about the music and zone itself that is just relaxing and peaceful. Honorable mention to Zi'Tah, always liked hanging out there too.

[DarkBass]

My absolute favorite zone is the Throne Room. When i my level 85 Masamune i killed every demon otw up there and took My place on the Throne. The Demon Killer as Ruler of the Demon Castle. Plus its just so cool since its decently large area for a BCNM. I like to picture myself on sam Sitting opposite the entrance, Meeting challangers in the center where the beastman symbol is and defeating them^^

[Gulder]

Misareaux Coast, Lufaise Meadows, and The Sanctuary of Zi'Tah are some of my favorite areas to just sit afk and listen to the music or watch the thunderstorms.

I'm somewhat surprised that no one has mentioned the waterfall at the top of The Boyada Tree, it's one of the other pretty spots (also was a good camp). Perhaps more seasoned players spent too much time there and it's lost it's beauty.

The first time I traversed from Gustaberg to the dunes without a map, seeing Konschtat Highlands during the thunderstorms with the huge rams roaming about was pretty exciting.

I also use to zone into the promys just to hear the music play.

[Nianny]

All of San d'oria, Ronfaure, Gusty, Valkurm dunes, Qufim, Zi'tah, Sacrarium, Al'taiu, Sky, Ro'Maeve, Mhaura, Whitegate, Arrapago Reef, Hall of the gods, Promies, Caedarva Mire, Pso'xja, Aydeewa, Alzadaal Undersea Ruins and Castle Zvhal's Keep. Think those are my favourite and some of them have my favourite music pieces from FFXI's music. :)

Edit: I'm aware it was supposed to be only one... but these zones resume my early time in FFXI so well that I'm attached to them equally. :)

[Octaviane]

Bastok Markets (S), the music is enchanting, The Sanctuary Of Zi'Tah at twilight, Hall of the Gods, jaw dropping, Misereaux Coast at the waterfall, Dynamis Xarcabard, again the music, Castle Zvahl Keep, music, Al'Taieu (gotta love those UFO's and Sharks), Purgonorgo Bay at sunset, Xarcabard (S) for the pure "OMG! Run to the wall quick!" factor and my all time favorite King Ranperre's Tomb, ah the memories of camping Spook when Traveller's Mantle was over a mil gil. :)

[Panthera]

Ya know, it's weird. I feel the same way about South Gustaberg. If I haven't been there in awhile and I happen to be there for some reason, I realize how much I've missed it while actually being there.

Yeah, Misareux is pretty and has pretty music. The Manaclipper and the Carpenter's Landing Barge/Phanauet Channel are fun, pretty rides. What can I say? COP or gtfo.

_______________________________________________

And then there's the zones I hate. I hate these zones from the depths of my soul.

Most of Caedarva Mire can get nuked like a Clink'n Buy thread. It's not particularly pretty, there's those dumb hallway things that rarely occur in nature like they do in so many outdoor zones of this game (this rule applies to non-dungeon areas. I'm fine with it for maze-like dungeon areas). And not to mention the fact that it's filled with Imps and Soulflayers.

[Anathiel]

Absolutely has to be boyahda tree for me, it always had such a psychedelic appeal to me that made me wander around for hours.

[Leonlionheart]

Abyssea - Miseraux Coast.

Red Sky > Blue Sky, come on I can see that if I go outside.

[Modoru]

Zi'Tah; reason: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCiGb8n9C7Q
Tav'chipelago; reason: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBiy2fo-8LU [Partly, this is Lufaise Meadows specifically, but still.]

[Kimara]

Arrapago Reef <3 the zone and the music.

[Reiterpallasch]

Gustaberg, for the music. It's where I started and has one hell of a nostalgic feeling to it.

On a side note, does it remind anyone of the 2002 PS2 game "Way of the Samurai"?
Never thought about it, but yeah it kinda does. Sunk tons of hours into that game.

[Tsukino_Kaji]

I have a screenshot somewhere of a friend and me sitting on the beach in bibiki bay at sunset just as the kraken that agroed me slapped me in the head. It was always fun just sitting around out there.

[Selzak]

After 7 years of game play I still find myself drawn to this, even after all my original friends have moved on to other things. I've been trying to figure out what exactly it is that makes me log in daily.

It may be that the game's atmosphere and music has a lot to do with it. Which brings me to my favorite zone, South Gustaberg. I love the music there and when the sun is setting, the place just feels like home. (On a side note, does it remind anyone of the 2002 PS2 game "Way of the Samurai"?)

So gents, which zone in FFXI is your all time favorite zone, and why? Discuss.
I came in here to post some of my honorary mentions (Zi'Tah, Lufaise Meadows, Jugner Forest...) followed impishly by my true favorite, South Gustaberg- for pretty much the exact same reason. First battle I ever fought in FFXI some seven years ago, endless Leaping Lizzy camping, tons of new job leveling (which is always exciting), just feels like home, etc...
I think it's the music mostly that makes it feel so nostalgic for me.

Was surprised to see it in the OP, posted by someone who started playing at the same time as me no less, awesome. :)


Edit: Wow, just read the rest of the thread. It seems that there's lots of South Gustaberg love, who'da thunk it?

[SilverObi]

Favorite vanilla zone: Ronfaure. Not my first zone ever (that was Sarutabaruta) but the misty forest atmosphere is fantastic.

RotZ: Tie between Sanctuary of Zi'Tah and Ru'Aun Gardens. Zi'Tah reminds me of the redwood forests of my home state and Ru'Aun is just beautiful.

CoP: Gah.. pretty much every zone from this expansion. SE was at their zenith with the art direction on these zones in my opinion and I love every area.

ToAU: Arrapago Reef and Alzadaal Undersea Ruins. Reef has that haunting music and atmosphere, Alzadaal has the ancient technology motif and feel that's a personal favorite of mine.

WotG: Southern San d'Oria [S] hand's-down. The starter nation I settled down in years ago was San d'Oria so between the more lush visuals and the stirring music, it felt like a homecoming marching into the city (being in full pld relic at the moment just made it all the sweeter).

Abyssea: Yeah i know they're all reskins but Abyssea - La Theine gets special mention to me because of an epic moment I had when exploring the (then) new zone. The somber music reached that particularly low point just as I crested a hill, just to see the Abyssea version of Carbuncle trotting along slowly and alone. Don't know what it was but it was just the perfect moment and I had to take a pause as that special mix of melancholy and nostalgia washed over. One thing SE can still do right by far is create unique moments for players.

Sorry about the huge post lol but I had to get in on this ^^

[Vagrua]

The music from the zone West Saurabaruta [S] always got me. It's so peaceful.

My favorite zone scenery wise would have to be Beaucedine Glacier (S) during dark weather.

[Tohihroyu]

Castle Zvahl, Purgonorgo Isle, Castle Zvahl [S], Mt. Zaylom, Mamook, The Boyahda Tree, North Gustaberg [S], Grauberg [S], Walk of echos (some of the structures...look like some seen in the pommy zones), Xarcabard & the rivinene. Just to name a few.

I would say Altepa & quicksand caves but I would prefer seeing what the place would have looked like before the anticans took over. site

[Agetos]

Mhaura may not be the prettiest zone, or the most fun. but i think it has the most calming music that can loop for hours and has the softest sounds to it. Its nice to go there afk and let that music resonate as a sort of screensaver.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GweaBt6wPc

[Zaknafein]

Ronfaure! While other zones are more visually stunning. Nothing will ever feel like "home" the way ron does <3

[TimeMage]

My all-time favorite is Al'Taieu, no doubt. the solid water, the ehtereal atmosphere... it's amazing. Then there's several places I like a lot, namely Alzadaal Undersea Ruins, The Sanctuary of Zi'Tah, Castle Zval and Throne Room, Arapago reef (creepy music!)...

[Kwate]

Bubu, East Sara, P. Isle, and Al'Taieu

[Soundwave]

Al'Taieu:)

[Bookong]

jugner forest for me. spent so much time leveling different jobs there solo. nice transitions on camps all in one board. the trees always make me feel so cozy ^^