Does FFXIV ARR provide the best MMORPG experience?

[Evangela]

There're bad experiences in FFXIV but comparing to other MMOs.... I'll choose FFXIV any day.

[Catwho]

I'd say right now XIV is the most well rounded MMO available. There are things it does better than other games, and there are things that other games do way better. But the whole package that is XIV edges out what other MMOs in the same category (subscription) have to offer.

I always joke that WoW is the "King of MMOs" in the same way that Budweiser is the king of beers. To stretch that metaphor, XIV is a decent craft beer alternative, such as Sam Adams. Some people complain that it's not really craft beer, but it still holds that title with the craft brewers association so it counts.

Is Sam Adams the best craft wheat beer? the best craft summer ale? The best stout, porter, lager? Absolutely not. Every beer they make, another brewer probably makes a better one.

Is it the best beer value for your money? Arguably so, and pretty tasty even if it's not the best.

XIV is the current best MMO value for your dollar. And that's a good place for a game to be, even if they're not the best at everything - or anything.

[Melondra]

The main problems isn't content or lack of content. SE does an outstanding job of providing outstanding high quality content faster then any mmo I have ever seen. The main problem is DPS checks, content should be more focused around mechanics not DPS cheks, now I do agree there should be some DPS checks in place to prevent people from face-rolling content but not to this extream. Fights should be based off of Mechanics not DPS cheks. DPS cheks only serve one purpose. To artificially inflate the lifespan of the content, that's the only reason why its there.

[ShiloEET]

Yes it does, but WoW is still a better game imo.

[Catwho]

Yes it does, but WoW is still a better game imo.

WoW's graphics were really beginning to show their age. The recent graphical overhaul they did added at least another 3-4 years of useful life to the game. Which is important since they cancelled their next MMO project. Any news on if they're rebooting it?

[Deathscythe343]

WoW has done a lot of things right over the years with their game. It is because of this, that so many other games has used some of their ideas to make their games better.


While, FFXIV is a good game, there is always room for improvement. There are two features that I have seen in other games that I could see making this game great if they were added into this game.

1) The Alternate Advancement (AA) system from EQ1. This system allowed for almost limitless improving of one's character beyond just getting the best possible gear. Some of the improvements included base increases to basic stats, crit, crit damage, hit, run speed, and many many more.

A system like this could easily give players a reason to keep logging in every day after they have capped on ESOs.

2) The artifact weapon system from the upcoming WoW expansion. At its core this system is essentially the same thing as the relic weapon. Via a quest you obtain a weapon for your class. It levels with you. Through the experience you gain, the player earns points to unlock special abilities via the weapon. Increased damage on certain skills, increased crit, damage reduction, some procs, etc.

This system seems very much like relic quests from 2.0. Albeit minus the added procs. A system like this could be the perfect base system to build the entire relic quest line on. All SE would have to do is to just add another tab of unlock or more ranks to the current ones.

This game, like any other MMO, has the problem of content. Content that keeps players returning day after day, week after week. Players now days get bored with things so quickly. How many people do you see running the expert roulette dungeons more than once a day? How many times after they cap for the week?

Things like this would be to the entire player base's benefit. It is something that any player can put time into to get a good return on their investment.

[Catwho]

1) The Alternate Advancement (AA) system from EQ1. This system allowed for almost limitless improving of one's character beyond just getting the best possible gear. Some of the improvements included base increases to basic stats, crit, crit damage, hit, run speed, and many many more.

FFXI added a similar system at 75 cap called Merit Points. They were additions to base stats that applied cross class. They also allowed for buffs to abilities. It's how XI finally forced specialization on you since you had a limited number of merit points you could distribute. Add it to your INT for your caster? Add it to your CHR for your bard or your beastmaster? Tack on extra HP to live, or extra MP to go longer? Balance your stats, or stack them?

I think that system will be an addition for once they don't anticipate the level cap going up for a very long time. 75 was the cap in XI for 7 or so years, so merits definitely bridged the gap.