FINAL FANTASY® XI: Ultimate Collection Seekers Edition
- April 18, 2013
- Square Enix
- 12h median play time
Get on SteamEmbark on an epic quest in FINAL FANTASY XI: Ultimate Collection Seekers Edition, a comprehensive bundle featuring the original game and all five expansion packs. Discover new lands, battle creatures, and join players worldwide in this immersive online RPG. With a 30-day free subscription and additional scenarios, your adventure in Vana'diel is just beginning.
PC
Windows
Xbox
Xbox 360
Reviews
- Final Fantasy XI offers a unique and nostalgic experience for old-school MMO fans, with a rich world and a dedicated community that has persisted for over 21 years.
- The game features an impressive soundtrack and expansive areas that showcase its ambitious design, providing a sense of adventure and exploration.
- The job and subjob system allows for diverse playstyles and character customization, making gameplay satisfying for those who enjoy depth and complexity.
- The installation and account registration process is convoluted and time-consuming, often requiring multiple accounts and extensive troubleshooting.
- The user interface and controls are outdated and clunky, making it difficult for new players to navigate the game effectively without external guides.
- The game lacks modern conveniences and tutorials, leading to a frustrating experience for newcomers who may find themselves lost and overwhelmed.
- story42 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game's main story is considered shallow by some players, but the expansions significantly enhance the narrative, offering more depth and connections between characters. Many quests are challenging to complete without external guides, leading to frustration due to obscure solutions and a lack of direction. Despite these issues, the overall lore and ongoing content updates provide a rewarding experience for those willing to engage with the story.
“Although the expansion offers much more fleshed-out plot points, including an overarching story that combines many previously met characters, it can be played at any point.”
“The base game story is okay, but the expansions really shine and feel every bit as Final Fantasy as the offline titles.”
“There are various quests and storylines throughout the world, and familiar characters from the rest of the series reappear in FFXI with their own roles in the storyline.”
“I can’t even begin to describe how random and obscure a lot of these quest solutions are, where to go and what to do.”
“The game doesn’t tell you a lot of really important stuff - I wasn’t even informed about the main story quests ('nation quests') I’m supposed to undertake at the beginning of the game.”
“After a few hours of the game, which mainly consisted of resolving technical problems, looking up my next moves on the wiki, and walking between NPCs for very little story content, I was unfortunately too bored to continue with the game.”
- gameplay11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a slow pace and old-school mechanics, which may not appeal to everyone, especially those accustomed to modern MMOs. However, it offers a rich variety of classes, playstyles, and gear combinations, providing depth and challenge for players willing to engage with its intricate systems. While some find the gameplay satisfying and rewarding, others may view it as tedious, particularly without quality-of-life features like a minimap.
“The gameplay can be very satisfactory due to its many classes, playstyles, and combinations you can take.”
“+ gameplay and jobs at the peak of the genre, with infinite gear sets depending on the situation and the mobs you're fighting.”
“If you do your homework and aren't intimidated by old-school & archaic mechanics and are prepared to search the wiki, you're in for something special.”
“Without mods, you won’t have a minimap, thus needing to open the menu. You can’t minimize the game and use Steam or track gameplay time.”
“Arguments can be made for this slowed-down kind of MMO gameplay, but personally, I found it to be too slow (and that’s coming from someone who enjoyed the slow passages of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn).”
“The gameplay is very slow.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally considered outdated, reminiscent of early 2000s technology, with some users noting a PS2 quality in default settings. However, many players find that the visuals still hold up reasonably well, especially on modern systems with adjusted settings, allowing for a nostalgic experience that complements the gameplay. Overall, while the graphics may not impress by contemporary standards, they are often overlooked in favor of the game's deeper qualities.
“Epic battles, nostalgic graphics.”
“Now SE made and placed their own windower function and the graphics are really not that bad on a high-end gaming computer of this era.”
“But once you get past that, and if you can look past the 2003-era graphics, it is an FF MMO as it was meant to be.”
“No graphic updates since the release in 2002.”
“It may have updated graphics and it may run on modern systems, but this is a game very much stuck in the past and is only being kept alive by its veteran players. If things don’t change, it won’t be around for much longer.”
“This game is old: the default graphics settings hurt (they're at PS2 quality). You will need to change settings before you play.”
- music5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised, with many users highlighting it as one of the best soundtracks in the MMORPG genre, evoking nostalgia and enhancing the overall experience. While the graphics and gameplay elements are noted, the standout feature remains the exceptional original soundtrack that resonates with long-time fans.
“Best OST of its kind.”
“I love the nostalgia, the music, the old community, and the toughness of the game.”
“It still has some of the best music I have ever heard in any MMORPG to date.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the grinding mechanics as a refined version of the traditional formula, noting improvements that make it faster and less tedious for modern gamers. While it retains elements of classic Asian MMO grinding, such as reliance on XP from mob kills rather than quests and a death penalty, many find it engaging enough to keep returning to the game.
“Yes, it is based on the Asian MMO tradition of XP party grinding, with no XP from quests and a death penalty. We've all had that problem: ding, mob pull, death, and de-level.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game's optimization for computers has been criticized, leading to concerns about its long-term viability and community engagement, especially given its monthly subscription model. Users feel that the lack of optimization could result in a declining player base over time.
“The optimization in this game is top-notch, allowing for smooth gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
“I love how the developers have fine-tuned the mechanics to ensure a balanced experience, making every challenge feel rewarding.”
“The interface is incredibly user-friendly, making it easy to navigate and optimize my gameplay strategy.”
“Yet due to many negatives, especially the lack of optimization for computers despite being a monthly subscription game, the game will likely have only a stagnating community that will drop over time.”
“The game's performance issues severely hinder the overall experience, making it frustrating to play.”
“Despite its potential, the lack of optimization leads to frequent crashes and long loading times, which detracts from the enjoyment.”
