Final Fantasy XI

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86%Audience ScoreBased on 90 reviews

story7 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

Final Fantasy XI offers a nostalgic experience with a rich world and engaging storylines, especially in its expansions.
The game has a dedicated community and still receives updates, making it a unique experience for fans of classic MMOs.
The job/subjob system is highly praised for its depth and flexibility, allowing players to explore various playstyles.

The installation and account registration process is convoluted and time-consuming, often requiring external guides to navigate.
The game's age is evident in its outdated graphics and clunky user interface, which can be frustrating for new players.
Progression can be slow and tedious, with many quests requiring extensive use of wikis or guides, making it less accessible for modern gamers.

story
51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
80%
6%
The story in Final Fantasy XI is described as a mixed experience; while the main quest is considered shallow, the expansions offer more depth and engaging narratives that connect various characters and plot points. Players note that the game requires significant time investment, with many quests being vague and often necessitating external guides, which can detract from the overall enjoyment. Despite its age and some tedious gameplay elements, the lore and storytelling remain a highlight for those willing to navigate its complexities.
- “Although the expansion offers much more fleshed out plot points, including an overarching story that combines many previously met characters and 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.”
- “The endgame is massive and brutally difficult, and even if you are not interested in playing endgame, you can simply relax and play the story - which is absolutely amazing and provides dozens of hours of playtime alone.”
- “80% or more of the quests are not beatable without checking a guide.”
- “I can’t even start to begin how random and obscure a lot of these quest solutions are, where to go and what to do.”
- “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.”
gameplay
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The gameplay is described as enjoyable and satisfying due to its variety of classes and playstyles, but it can feel slow and outdated, especially for players accustomed to modern MMOs. While some appreciate the depth and challenge, others find the mechanics cumbersome and the need for external resources like wikis off-putting. Overall, it appeals to those who appreciate classic MMO elements and are willing to navigate its archaic systems.
- “The gameplay can be very satisfactory due to its many classes, playstyles, and combinations you can take.”
- “If you do your homework and aren't intimidated by old-school mechanics and are prepared to search the wiki, you're in for something special.”
- “Keep in mind that this game is old (15 years), so some aspects of the gameplay are very different from the newest games, but you won't be disappointed by the story, the quests, and the endgame.”
- “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.”
graphics
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
50%
30%
The graphics of the game are generally considered outdated, reflecting its age with a style reminiscent of early 2000s titles, which some players find clunky or low-quality. However, many reviewers note that the visuals can still hold up reasonably well on modern systems, especially with adjusted settings, and appreciate the nostalgic charm they bring to the experience. Overall, while the graphics may not impress by contemporary standards, they do not detract significantly from the game's appeal for long-time fans.
- “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.”
- “It's actually a wonderful Final Fantasy, but due to being old, it's absolutely grind-heavy and, of course, graphics-wise outdated.”
- “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.”
- “This game is old: the default graphics settings hurt (they're at PS2 quality) and you will need to change settings before you play.”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews highlight that the grinding aspect of the game is both a nostalgic and tedious experience, often requiring players to invest significant time with minimal rewards. While some appreciate the social elements of grinding in teams, many criticize the game for its outdated mechanics, lack of respect for players' time, and reliance on guides to navigate its cryptic design. Overall, the grinding is seen as a double-edged sword, appealing to some veteran players while alienating others seeking a more streamlined experience.
- “However, that is the only reason to play this game. There are almost no people to play with, the game is super tedious, and it shows no respect for your time. You have to wait in-game days or real-time server resets to proceed with many quests, so your time gets wasted for no reason; it was a design choice.”
- “It's grindy, tedious, and cryptic to the point of requiring a guide at all times. It does not respect your time and is old school in every aspect.”
- “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.”
music
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The music in the game is highly praised, with many users highlighting its nostalgic value and quality, considering it among the best in the MMORPG genre. Even amidst criticisms of other aspects, the soundtrack remains a standout feature that enhances the overall experience.
- “Also yes, even if I chose a negative review, it's still worth buying for the music alone.”
- “<3 the nostalgia, the music, the old community, the toughness of the game.”
- “It still has some of the best music I have ever heard in any MMORPG to date.”
- “Even if you can't get your account working, you at least have the PlayOnline music to keep you happy.”
- “Yes, even if I chose a negative review, it's still worth buying for the music alone.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
33%
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, and the optimization makes navigating through the lore and community features a breeze.”
- “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.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is an older MMO that does not feature any microtransactions, which is a notable aspect of its monetization model.
- “It's refreshing to play an MMO that has no microtransactions, especially considering how common they are in modern games.”