Honesty Time - How do you feel about FFXIV?

[Kilta_Firelotus]

I like the armory system if ppl used it correctly we wouldn't have an issue wuth it. Here is what will come up once classes get more defined. some ppl not playing the class of the mnth and waiting 5-6 hours to party.

The way the system is now anyone can do anything and players look for other players. Nor rdm and disband if no rd, is seeking.

Also you created the class actually. All the base classes are template to help creature your own class. Want to be a fire monk? use fire spells as a pugilist and maybe have a cure spell. Stuff like that. But ppl are to set in their ways on how classes "should" be and the min/maxers telling you off for creativity. Try to balance your points out instead of min./maxing and create a class instead of only putting thing you think you need.

[Meleena]

I played this game since Alpha and I still play it.
I am aware that FFXIV still lacks basic stuff that they should have been there from the begining and thats my only reason for dissapointment, which means that they should have delayed the retail version for at least a year.

Aside from that it's good that I can SEE that the game is getting better, for that reason I am willing to judge it around the same time I got to play FFXI too and thats about a year - a year an a half from it's original release.
If FFXIV cannot deliver what FFXI gave to me until September - October then I'll be really dissapointed, on the other hand, if they manage to make it then props to them Ill be playing this for another 7-8 years or till it dies.

[Shelia]

The bad:

[...] the Black Shroud.

rofl

does the soundtrack and environment feel kind of like a mistfit Tim Burton film to you, too?

[darkstarpoet1]

i got the game expecting something from the older final fantasy series games(not 11 since i did not play it). i got it for the ff history of giving fantastic story, multiple sidequests, and lovable characters. i did not get xi because of one main job and a sub job system i feel limits my gameplay. i loved the idea of being able to customize my character to make it what i wanted. i got half of what i wanted, but this game still has major issues and i believe it will eventually get sorted.

we have no main story content that makes you say oh i want to see what comes next.

the sidequests are just looping the same thing over and over without any real purpose.

there is no character that i can say i actually like. there is only a few i can even remember and that's due to constantly going to them with locals.

to me if these few things were added i would enjoy the game much more. there is also a ton of things that needs to be fixed for a more enjoyable game experience.

being stuck in br mode while waiting on others(why can't we still attack while stopping us from using the tp/mp in the process)

stupid gaudy red starbursts next to aggro mobs(an option in the main menu to check a mob is all that's needed)

instead of adding the traditional classes as a new class need a rank/quest to unlock them as an advanced class(would be looked at as content to have stuff to do). they could also allow the advances classes to use the base classes abilities, but not allow the base classes to use the advanced abilities.

more class specific abilities.(my idea was everything after cap increase would be class specific and anything gotten from that guild also) this would get rid of the i dun feel any difference in classes. i don't have a problem with it, but some do.

nice animations with the different abilities not all of the abilities for a class looking almost the same or almost no animation at all.

the ability to minimize the game without a stupid game crash.

more incaps on mobs that give animations when it is completed.

allow skill chains to be used inside the battle regimens that way you could get even more into the battle regimen coordination with your friends. allow the chains inside regimen to be like the intro video where the mage throws the fire on the arrow as it is shot. those types of animations are completely lacking besides cutscenes and not in the game itself.

overall i am happy with the direction of the game, but if they get those few things fixed and get more in game content the game could be a major success without making an xi-2.

[Skeeter]

Pretty disappointed to be honest. The controls and UI just feel way too restrictive and cumbersome. It has improved a bit since release but they still have a long way to go, this game is a step back in this department from games released in 2004 and earlier. I don't want a WoW clone but there is a reason every MMO out uses the same basic controls and user interface, it just works and is very easy. Don't be different for the sake of being different. If you do something different do it better. It is like they have never played other MMOs besides FFXI before.

*puts flame suit on

[Wolfie]

rofl

does the soundtrack and environment feel kind of like a mistfit Tim Burton film to you, too?

Something along those lines. Had me banging my head on the desk after I was done with Bentbranch.

Pretty disappointed to be honest. The controls and UI just feel way too restrictive and cumbersome. It has improved a bit since release but they still have a long way to go, this game is a step back in this department from games released in 2004 and earlier. I don't want a WoW clone but there is a reason every MMO out uses the same basic controls and user interface, it just works and is very easy. Don't be different for the sake of being different. If you do something different do it better. It is like they have never played other MMOs besides FFXI before.

*puts flame suit on

I don't think they played FFXI either.

[Asra]

I'll be honest, I played FFXIV and looked forward to it because it would not be XI-2. I got bored with XI and lost all will to play it a few years before this game came out. I've played a number of other MMOs and online RPGs and I will be honest, I do like the battle system the way it is, but it could use some polish, if not a spit and shine.

That said, I was annoyed and disgusted that hardly anything from open beta got fixed on the launch day, and that hardly any content besides R40 leves got added since at launch. Not even quests to immerse yourself into the lore. It felt incomplete and unrefined, as if the wax was still on while they were polishing the details as they released it.

What I do like about the game: Armory system, levequest system to enable semi-casual play (running to the leve counter and then to camp can get tedious when you're in a hurry), the battle system with manual control, graphics, most of the soundtrack (sans Black Shroud, Tim Burton-esque indeed,) and the sense that I'm in a huge region, an actual chunk of the continent. I also enjoy the UI updates to make things easier for controller players such as myself. The ability to solo is also a great plus.

What I dont like: Lack of content. I'm R50, fought most of the NMs, got a Silver Tricorne +1, and it seems I'm back to the old grind, just with less friends to do it with lately (many have since quit.) There are little interesting things to do, and sidequests have at most taken me a few hours to complete at R50 and most give me things I already have. The lack of refinement in the crafting system - I believe there is a good base in place, but with rapid synthesis an overall useless action now and quality having a sketchy effect at best on item HQ frequency (not that I would stop trying, because it does happen, as my head slot can explain,) a selection of 3 actions becomes moot until youre synthesizing an item well under your level. Overall, theres just this sensation that there is a hole here that needs to be filled.

I love this game, I won't lie. I've been less motivated to play lately (partly because I've been uber busy) but I would appreciate more content. Unless some changes that I really despise come, I dont see myself quitting any time soon.

[Dubont]

It needs to be more difficult. Levequests need to be removed. A better party system needs to be put in place. The armory system needs to be better thought out (my rank 20 GLA shouldn't have Cure 3 from my CON 50...) The battle system in general needs to be reworked. Spamming 1 is not good for a keyboard. Armor and spells need to be redesigned graphically to make the game look more magical. If this means a helmet with wings on it and a body piece that looks like Satan made it, I'm all for it. I also should not be able to wear my armor before I meet the level reqs...

[MysaZages]

I also expected (not necessarily needed) a 2nd FFXI. I waited impatiently for it to come out. The lack of an AH, mog house and mailbox disoriented me a little. I do think the character races are FFXI like. I was happy with the dark elven race addition and the broader customization for characters. Though all the choices for sun/moon/day and god/goddess made me think it will matter later what I chose and I will have failed a test or something without getting to study.

By necessity I am a casual player. I work full time and have a family. 3-4 evenings a week, maybe a day on a weekend here or there. The only time I am not soloing is when involved in a behest. A couple of my kids play and I will party with them if we are all on. Speaking as a former mnk and current pug - THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. The fact that I am still successful soloing at level 27 is awesome to me. It gives me hope. In FFXI at 69 Mnk I couldn't solo and make progress in the game. And being a casual player I couldn't afford the gear I was expected to have, eat the food I was expected to eat, or have the reflexes of a 18 year old who plays all day long. And when NIN became the tank and couldn't hold hate against the higher MNK TP moves - the MNK became an outcast. I've heard it's different now, I hope.

Because I mostly solo I am still learning the targeting and party communication features. I've seen the funny logos over the mobs head and wondered. Just read the other day about party and battle emotes. Perhaps I'm not doing it right but when partying I have issues targeting the correct mob. In behests the battle warden is always targeted if in my line of vision, whether mobs are closer or not. Some of the targeting issues were addressed and I use my F8 but again still not proficient with targeting when partying. It's a little bulky to me. Haven't tried macros yet either.

I'm not enough of a statitician to figure all the ways to maximize my character, I haven't even explored food yet. However I am happy that I can craft my own gear. I've made everything except my weapon that my PUG is wearing. I haven't stood at the AH slavering over some jewel or piece of gear that cost 50 million gil and know that I could never farm that much in my lifetime. I've had to buy crystals just once because they separated the inventory and I don't have to sell them for space. (still think the gear I am wearing is not in my backpack - just saying.) Perhaps this will change in the higher levels. I feel more productive with the crafting in FFXIV, I like that I can actually make useful things now. Yea it sux that if you fail everything is gone but this is more realistic. In FFXIV you are "crafting something" or performing a trade. In FFXI it was more like performing a magic trick and the whole face north when your big toe hurts for a more successful synth was irritating.

The classes, meh I've always been a fan of the HTH. Go Tifa! I do like CON. I've been leveling that for the buffs to use with MNK and kicking with it. But with HTH I'm always gonna use the same type of weapon. Still looking for higher level throwing items though. Haven't been on the boat ride yet.

I have found myself challenged. I've died multiple times doing leves at higher difficulties (love that), and not lost exp. I feel not losing exp makes me attempt things that I wouldn't have in FFXI. ie: Almost made it to Blue Frog (thought the level 5 craft leve at Blue Frog is a little ridiculous) and died at the last minute. But it was exciting, I was able to active a gate on the way and saw part of the map that I wouldn't have until a much higher level. In FFXI there would be people sitting around begging a port there.

Which brings me to the teleport system. I like it. I guess I'm less hampered by it than those who play all the time. I have never run out of anima, and never been denied a leve - I can always port to another city and play. I've heard of other cities but haven't explored further than the main 3 and outlying areas yet. Was expecting a setup like FFXI with a main town like Jeuno. I liked being able to travel from the very beginning of the game. All you need is the first port.

All in all while I still miss FFXI and wish I got to the end game. This game is becoming a better fit for me.

Anyway - we've all been going through birth pains right along with SE and they have been working hard trying to bring their vision to light. I think I bought like 6 pair of underwear before that got fixed. Clicked on a billion retainers looking for 1 item until they fixed that. I'm happy enough with how the game is progressing. As long as I can continue to enjoy the game and progress at my necessary pace I will be happy. There are always going to be personal pet peeves (I would love to see a jump feature) but a game designer's job is to design a game - not the game every individual player wants - but the game the designer sees in his/her head.

[derekx]

I don't think I need to repeat the details. Overall, I think the game is at a point now that is sufficient to play it knowing improvements are on the way in the next few months. It's way better than launch and I am mostly having fun, but if the updates weren't incoming I don't think I'd invest the time.

That said I'm confident the new director/producer will get the game there, it's just a matter of time. FFXIV is okay now, but it will be great soon.