Super Street Video Game Reviews
Game Title: Final Fantasy XI
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Genre: MMORPG
Platform: PS2
Rating: 
Final Fantasy is back and better than ever. Square Enix, makers of this hugely popular franchise, have taken their mega-hit and loaded it up with all-new features in this epic new title. Final Fantasy XI is huge and impressive, and pushes the technical limits out in every direction. Fans of the series will need no convincing to go and check out this gorgeous new game. Set in the new world of Vana'diel, Square Enix takes FFXI to a new level by making Vana'diel a "persistent world" which continues to develop and grow even when players aren't around. Entering into the MMORPG genre, Final Fantasy XI promises to take players to a vast new world, with an epic storyline to be discovered and played. The only thing players have to worry about is finding enough time to immerse themselves in the gorgeous new game.
The first item gamers will have to overcome is shock of the sticker price, but that includes an additional 40GB hard drive. Plus, that hard drive can be used for more than just Final Fantasy XI. Hard drive owners will find that more and more to be released games will have the capacity to let users save games on the hard drive, as well as the usual memory card. Another hard drive benefit is that companies are also going to be putting additional game content online, and those that have a hard drive can download new environments, maps, extended play packs or anything else developers can think of for gamers to enjoy even longer play times with favorite titles. For FFXI owners, the game is pre-installed on the hard drive along with PlayOnline software, and TetraMaster. Players do get a game disk for security purposes to use to complete the installation process of the game or re-install the game for whatever reason.
Final Fantasy XI has much to offer all levels of gamers. Developers at Square Enix have promised that missions, battles, and quests will be easy enough for newbie FF gamers, but still have an edge that even expert players will appreciate. Players are able to play at their own pace either alone or in groups or teams--remember Final Fantasy XI is all about giving a gamer exactly the type of game he/she wants to play. Gamers who are more independent can play the lone wolf, carving out their own adventures staying aloof and invisible online, or if a gamer is more into the online community aspect there are an enormous amount of players waiting to hook up and have some adventures.
As mentioned, the biggest new feature for Final Fantasy XI is online functionality and its new genre entry into MMORPG, which stands for Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game, making it possible for literally millions of people can play at the same time. FFXI introduces a new story, new races and a new world called Vana'diel. Vana'diel has been created as a truly persistent world and when gamers aren't playing, the world is still expanding and developing with other players helping to create the history and status of this great new world. Gamers get to choose from five races of characters, and advanced character modeling will allow gamers to make detailed changes to facial features, skin tone and hairstyles letting everyone express their full creativity.
It's strongly recommended that players use a USB keyboard since it will make communicating with other gamers much easier. Players that don't have a keyboard to use can still use the controller to communicate using an online keyboard supplied by the PlayOnline software, but this might get tedious for some. FFXI is available to play on the PC and the PS2 and now for the first time, both platforms will be fully compatible.
Final Fantasy XI gives Final Fantasy fans everything they could ask for in a new title. Technological advances to pump up gameplay by turning it into an MMORPG and giving players tons of features and abilities to choose from to play. After setting up the hard drive and registering online, all players have to do is enter this gorgeous new world to get started. There are literally years of playing time built into this title as Vana'diel continues to develop and grow as a players pursue one epic adventure after another. The sticker price might come as an initial shock, but considering the hard drive will be used for more than just Final Fantasy XI, it is a great investment overall. We give Final Fantasy XI five nukes.