Quote Originally Posted by Vyrerus View Post
I liked how FFXI handled its world. Maps that showed the relative path, but weren't always helpful. Zones intertwined with each other in several different places. No zone line markers, so you would change zones suddenly without knowing it the first time through an area.

There was a lot emphasis put on knowing the paths through an area. Area traversal was as much a part of the experience as combat.

Of course, nowadays, they made it hella convenient. There's teleport points everywhere available for a tiny fee. You still have to make the rough traversals the first time, but some of them get circumvented by the Unity warps that require no teleport point acquisition.

Which nowadays since I'm always choked for time, I don't mind it, but I do HATE how it has completely sidelined the cooler traversal methods like Airships and Ferries. Things that used to require a short wait for ultimately a safer/speedier/automatic trip somewhere vs. walking or riding a chocobo.

It even mostly sidelines the new Mount system they added... which has somewhat sidelined chocobos, both rentals and bred ones.

It's still a very fun world to get lost in though, even all that considered.
I only use that system when it's to get to a VERY annoying place (the lighthouse at nighttime...so many undead T_T). Otherwise I take the ferries, airships, and chocobos. Just feels more like the original authentic experience.