Page 125 - PC Gamer - UK (February 2020)

E X TR A LIFE
I
I
N OW P L A Y I N G U P D A T E
BENEATH THAT THICK CRUST
OF ABSOLUTE BULLSHIT IS A
GENUINELY INNOVATIVE MMO
interaction, like simply trading items
with another player, require twice as
many button presses than is
reasonable. It’s almost cruel.
But I also know that this was an
enormously complicated game that
Square Enix admirably tried to make
playable with just a controller, so I’m
willing to forgive it. And it’s not like
Final Fantasy XI doesn’t have its
charms either. Beneath that thick
crust of absolute bullshit is a
genuinely innovative MMO. And
when I finally got out into the field
and started killing monsters, I began
feeling that familiar pull. That feeling
of being sucked into the world and
excited by its mysteries.
The job system, for example,
remains one of Final Fantasy XI’s
greatest triumphs. Instead of needing
to make a new character for each job
(the equivalent of a class), I can just
switch on the fly and level a different
job instead. Final Fantasy XIV
I
I
H OW T O I MOD S P O T L I GH T I D I A R Y REIN S T A L L W H Y I LO V E I M U S T P L A Y
Most everything can be
completed alone, now.
iterated on the idea, but Final Fantasy NPCs to help them in combat. Unlike
XI’s execution of it is still unrivalled. other MMOs, Final Fantasy XI was
There’s 22 jobs to unlock and level, designed so combat almost always
required a party of players.
each one offering a distinct playstyle.
And after reaching a certain level you It’s one of the reasons Final
can take on a secondary job, giving Fantasy XI was such a social
you access to even more abilities to experience. But as its popularity has
augment your primary ones. It’s waned and almost everyone has
MMO theory-crafting at its finest. moved on, Square Enix has had to
make concessions to give newcomers
AT A CROSSROADS like me a chance.
In the few hours I spent exploring Each level used to be a hard-
Vana’diel, I started to feel myself fought achievement, but now I can
acclimate to the slower pace. The just summon my party of NPCs and
lack of modern conveniences, like fast quickly grind through a dozen levels
travel, and the awful control scheme in a fewhours. Alone.
are jarring at first. But there is a Though I understand why it had
distinct appeal to playing a game that to happen, it’s a reality that makes me
forces me to adapt to it instead of the uncomfortable. So much of what I
other way around. loved about Final Fantasy XI was the
It’s like selling all your belongings social dynamics, but now the only
and living out in the woods, off the evidence I have that I’m not alone is
grid. At first the change seems the constant barrage of messages
hellish, but then you start to settle in from people trying to sell items.
and appreciate the little things – the I’m not sure whether I’ll continue
catchy music, the subtle rhythm of playing. A part of me is already
combat, the rush of levelling up. invested in the journey to reach max
The only thing that’s missing is level for the first time and do things
other people. Though much of Final that childhood me only dreamed of.
Fantasy XI remains unchanged, one But if thoseachievements are earned
major new feature is that players can alone – if I’m the only one fighting
now summon their own party of and celebrating – is it worth it?
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