Final Fantasy XI Review: Is FFXI Worth Playing in 2024?

Final Fantasy XI is a classic MMORPG released in 2002 by Square Enix. The game has a rich and complex world, with deep lore, intricate mechanics, and engaging gameplay.

While it may not be as popular as some of the newer MMORPGs, it still has a dedicated following of players who appreciate its old-school charm.

In this review we will be looking at the pros and cons of FFXIV and find out if it is worth playing in 2023!

Setting up the game and account can be a challenge for new players. The process is not as streamlined as it is in newer MMORPGs, and there is a lot of information to take in. However, once you get past the initial learning curve, the game offers a wealth of content to explore.

Final Fantasy XI has numerous expansions, each with its own storylines, areas to explore, and challenges to overcome. The game also has a wide range of races and jobs, each with its unique abilities and playstyle. The sub-job system adds even more depth to the gameplay, allowing players to customize their characters to their playstyle.

Gameplay

One of the standout features of Final Fantasy XI is its emphasis on group play and cooperation. The game is highly challenging and requires careful planning and execution to succeed.

Combat is not just a matter of button-mashing, but rather a strategic exercise that requires players to work together and coordinate their efforts. This makes the gameplay highly engaging and rewarding, but also means that solo play can be quite difficult.

The game has a wide range of enemies, each with its unique strengths and weaknesses. Players must use different tactics and strategies to overcome them, which makes the gameplay highly engaging and satisfying.

The game’s difficulty may be off-putting to some players, but for those who enjoy a challenge, it is a welcome change from the hand-holding of modern MMORPGs.

Final Fantasy XI has five playable races: Humes, Elvaan, Tarutaru, Mithra, and Galka. Each race has its unique attributes, strengths, and weaknesses.

The game also has a wide range of jobs, each with its unique abilities and playstyle. Some of the jobs include Warrior, White Mage, Black Mage, Thief, Paladin, and Dark Knight. The sub-job system allows players to customize their characters even further, adding another layer of depth to the game.

In addition to combat, Final Fantasy XI has a wide range of professions that allow players to craft their own items. This system adds another layer of depth to the game, as players can create items that are essential for their gameplay experience.

The game also has a housing system that allows players to decorate and customize their own living spaces. This system is highly customizable, and players can create their own unique homes to show off to their friends and fellow players.

Final Fantasy XI also has numerous addons available to enhance the gameplay experience. These addons range from quality-of-life improvements to gameplay-changing mods. They add another layer of customization to the game, allowing players to tailor the experience to their liking. Many addons are considered must haves in FFXI. Opening the map in FFXI cannot be done just by pressing “M” like in most games, but the player will actually have to type /map every time, so having a mini-map addon will save you a lot of time.

There are also addons that will make gameplay and combat more steamlined.

Player cooperation is highly emphasized in Final Fantasy XI, with a Trust system that allows players to recruit NPCs to aid them in battles. The game’s story is also highly engaging, with memorable characters and a rich lore that rewards players who invest time in exploring it. The game’s world is vast, and there is always something new to discover.

One of the downsides of Final Fantasy XI is the lack of hand-holding or tutorials. Figuring out what to do can be challenging, especially for players who are used to modern MMORPGs with quest markers and pointers. Players will need to do their research and play with the Wiki open to know what to do. This lack of guidance may be off-putting to some players, but for others, it adds to the sense of discovery and adventure.

In terms of expansions, Final Fantasy XI has a wide range of content to explore. The game’s expansions include Rise of the Zilart, Chains of Promathia, Treasures of Aht Urhgan, Wings of the Goddess, and Seekers of Adoulin. Each expansion adds new areas to explore, new challenges to overcome, and new stories to discover. The game’s most recent expansion, The Voracious Resurgence, was released in 2020 and adds even more content to the game.

Graphics

The game’s graphics may be dated by modern standards, but they still hold up surprisingly well. The world of Vana’diel is highly detailed and beautifully designed, with a wide range of environments to explore. From the lush forests of Ronfaure to the sprawling cities of San d’Oria, Windurst, and Bastok, every location has its unique architecture and style.

Sound

The sound and soundtrack of Final Fantasy XI are some of the game’s standout features. The game’s music was composed by Naoshi Mizuta, Kumi Tanioka, and Nobuo Uematsu, all of whom are renowned composers in the video game industry. The latter having composed some of the most memorable tracks from the Final Fantasy franchise. .

The soundtrack features a wide range of musical styles, from sweeping orchestral pieces to upbeat and catchy tunes. The music complements the game’s world-building and storytelling, enhancing the player’s immersion in the game’s world.

Population

The population in Final Fantasy XI has dwindled over the years, but dedicated players still maintain an active community. While the game may not have the same level of popularity as newer MMORPGs, it still has an active and loyal fanbase. The game’s community is welcoming and supportive, making it an excellent game for players who enjoy socializing and making new friends. Players often come together to tackle challenging content, form friendships, and create their unique experiences.

The game’s Trust system, which allows players to recruit NPCs to aid them in battles, makes it easier to solo as well.

Is Final Fantasy XI Free-to-Play?

In terms of payment model, Final Fantasy XI is not free-to-play and requires a subscription to play.

Is Final Fantasy XI Pay-to-Win?

While it may not be pay-to-win, the subscription fee can add up over time. However, the game’s content is regularly updated with new events and content, and once in a while an expansion pack.

Conclusion

Final Fantasy XI is still an excellent game in 2023 for players who enjoy challenging and strategic gameplay, immersive storytelling, and a the old-school MMO feel.

While its outdated graphics and difficult setup process may deter some players, it is still a highly recommended experience for players who appreciate classic MMORPGs.