Why was FFXI so great?

[Geesus]

Otherwise you're good as dead meat due to force grouping. Once I was able to solo....

1) Why were you playing a MMO if you didn't want to party?
2) Why do I constantly see this from other players in this MMO?

It's not a solo game and neither was XI. If your biggest complaint is that it wasn't solo friendly than all I can say is ...

[Dianic]

IMO - the reason FFXI was great is its style. People love nostalgia, and the old ways of MMO gaming have taken a back seat to the casual audience. FFXI greatly resembled an upgraded version of an "Everquest-Style" game... long, unforgiving, hard... but you really got a feeling of "WOW -- I just did that!" accomplishment.

FFXI was not for casuals. Sure, casuals could play it, but it would take them an eternity. The game forced you to embrace the true nature of MMOs by playing with other people; almost demanding it.

They never bent a knee to the casual solo'ist that has ruined modern MMO gaming.

[Andrien]

1) Why were you playing a MMO if you didn't want to party?
2) Why do I constantly see this from other players in this MMO?

It's not a solo game and neither was XI. If your biggest complaint is that it wasn't solo friendly than all I can say is ...

Read my post again... Read every word carefully. I said if you have friends to play with, you'll have fun. Do you comprehend? Was that a complaint?

sometimes a facepalm is not necessary

[Geesus]

Read my post again... Read every word carefully. I said if you have friends to play with, you'll have fun. Was it a complaint? Do you comprehend?

Oh no I read it word for word. Friends or not you said

No its not that great, but it is fun when you have something to do, especially if you have friends to play with. Otherwise you're good as dead meat due to force grouping. Once I was able to solo

See the words force grouping and solo? If that doesn't look like words "complaining" about something you didn't want I don't know what does lol.

[Andrien]

Oh no I read it word for word. Friends or not you said

See the words force grouping and solo? If that doesn't look like words "complaining" about something you didn't want I don't know what does lol.

Yeah I was having a kick of a time soloing avatars/campaign etc. Your point?

Goes without saying, if you're not in a group for certain contents you're going to have a hard time by yourself. Therefore you're forced to group. that is irrefutable fact, not a complaint.