Cartoony style graphics....

[Shougun]

I don't remember any part of Final Fantasy XI being bright like you're saying, and I played it for 6+ years. I remember there being white sand, which is a lighter color than something like the green patches of grass, so it appeared brighter...but XI didn't have dynamic lighting. Characters didn't cast shadows on themselves like we currently have/will have.

Well I do. I spent a crap ton of time in Valkrum.

When you first entered the zone it was brightest. Then the contrast on the sand would reduce a little - but still maintain brightness. Like Valrum at night is not bright at all, but during the day its almost pure white. If you enter during the day from an outside zone that would happen.

I also messed with a lot of the ini/registry information though so maybe my FFXI had higher settings then yours.