The Collectors Edition Package

[Aurongroove]

What do you guys make of the entire package?
I really only bought the CE for the in game stuff, I didn't even want a hard copy of the game itself, and were it available I would've bought a digital CE instead.


Anyways now that I have it, here's my big-mouth run down of it.


The Big Art Book:
Wonderful, I really enjoyed browsing through it.
I do actually love concept art, and I never feel games make a big enough deal about it's concept art. This book is grand parade through the real core aesthetics for FF XIV and it really helps fill out the picture.


The DVD:
Nicely narrated look through the events of FFXIV 1.0 (perfect if you havn't played) and with a detailed look over the big cinematic with Bahamut it's a nice narrative that clarifies what you're seeing with all the action going on.

It made me want to know more about the lore of the game as well; Such as will Ishgard or Ala Mhigo open up eventually as user accessible towns (with new classes). It also reveals how much of Eorzea' lore is 'like' other final fantasies. In both the present and past of Eorzea there is quite a few themes from VII and VI especially.


The Security-code Keyring:
I'm not that worried about having my account broken into, and to be honest I'm not sure I understand how it works, is there a beckon inside it that transmits the code you generate to your SE account? (if so, coooool!! gadget-y)
In reality the only use I've had for it so far is putting it my on key ring and it occasionally being spotted and used as a nerdy ice breaker.


((*
edit: can't reply, It seems I only get one post per 100 years with my current account problems,
to those of you who reckon my account will be first to be keylogged, yes I realize I;m begging for come-uppance by saying I'll never get my account hacked, but, and here I go with more comeuppance invoking; really who is going to hack PS3 service of this game? they'd have to hack my PSN ID as well or buy the game for me for PC or something.
anyways, why not help me out by telling me how to work the damn k'jigger.

To the guy who quipped "is my password gangmanStyle"
pff!, do I look like some sort of idiot? no, my password is POk3rface4141 so not even machine will be able to guess that (LOL)
2nd place witty response was: "...HOW DID YOU!?...(rushes to change password)
*))

The HD graphics cards:
These are basically as high quality as photographic stills.
I still prefer the art book and at first I wondered why these are included; they're hardly suitable as posters, and the art book is a much fuller and more wholesome insight into the realm.
Then I imagined it wouldn't be a fair or accurate representation of SE being world leaders in game graphics, not to include something of their graphical prowess.
They're great for showing anyone, game fan or not, and see the wow on their faces.


The Music Album:
As a musician myself I was quite a bit disappointed with this.
Firstly the CD case itself was one of those flimsy, thin "single" CD cases you'd see years ago.
It wasn't a proper CD case with proper sleeve art, (it's not like SE or FFXIV is short on art), and thus won't fit properly into a CD holder so back into the CE box it'll remain that it's cheap plastic brittleness never be tested by my or other clumsy hands.

The music itself was 5 tracks by Soken, (no Uematsu) which were lovely, and of exceptionally good sound quality.

However firstly, I'm way passed being a fan of Uematsu; As a graduate of composition, Uematsu is basically one of the biggest influences (wither I like it or not) in my life musically. Nothing will compare to how I listen to stuff I know he has composed and stuff I know he hasn't.

Secondly, If I were an artist or an illustrator I would've felt all my Christmases come at one with that art book. How come art wise you get a compendium of hand drawn art by over a dozen artists but as a musician what's my treat?
5 tracks by one of the composers, in a flimsy CD case.

At least with this CD the music is actually orchestrated and produced to a high standard and sounds "as in game".
But this would've been better if it were a proper CD case housing either a CD (or even two) with some of Uematsu's music along with Soken's or, in a perfect world, the full sound track or near enough to it.
The music is already there in the game, just bung it in with the CE! you certainly weren't shy about the art work!

Lol, It was almost as bad the CE of (the brilliant game) Radiant Historia I paid about 80 quit for (import for America, one of the last copies in print). Advertised was a copy of the game and a Soundtrack CD...
What came was a copy of the game, and quite literally a cardboard sleeve containing a CD upon which was 5 of the games tracks arranged for solo piano!!! (soundtrack my arse!)


Finally,
The Game itself:
Great game, pity I can't play it!