Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn
Posted: Sun Sep 29, 2013 1:51 am
I've sunk a few hours into this and I have opinions!
I'm actually enjoying this quite a lot. I've never played 1.0, so I can't compare it to that, but I have played WoW, and let me tell you, this is a nice set of improvements (and drawbacks) from that gajillion year old game. Let's start with the graphics, because ERMAHGERD the game is pretty. The system requirements are pretty high, but the game is very pretty. There's quite a bit of character customization you can do, with 2 genders and 2 variations on each race, a bunch of height, skin color, facial, and voice options. Oh, and the clothes ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE CLOTHES. I mean, it's Final Fantasy, so the high level gear is ridiculously outlandish as always, but the clothes aren't just textures painted to your skin. They're like... clothes.
I'm playing as an Arcanist (Magic with DoTs and pets) because it was the closest to Shadow Priest they had, but after you reach level 10 and visit the different cities, you can switch between classes as you like. It's encouraged to do so too, since you can use certain skills across all classes. For example, I played a bit with Marauder (2-handed melee fighter) after I unlocked it, and early on, they learn a skill that buffs your defense by 20% for a few seconds, which I'm able to use as an Arcanist. After you reach a certain level with a set of classes, you unlock Jobs, which are specialized versions of the base classes. Arcanists become can Summoners or Scholars, Lancers can become Dragoons, and Thaumaturges can be those infamous Black Mages.
As far as questing and combat, nothing's really changed from the MMO norm. Shocking, I know. There's your run of the mill "I have an exclamation mark over my head and I want you to do stuff" quests, there's FATEs, which pop up randomly in the world and can be joined by anyone by just walking into the area and helping, and Guildleves, which are phased quests specifically for you with adjustable difficulty (and it's their form of repeatable daily quests). There are a few different storylines told through cutscenes, which are nice.
I'm enjoying the game quite a lot so far, and I'm hoping that lasts. If anyone decides to play, I'm Kerreth Syltaix on Brynhildr.
I'm actually enjoying this quite a lot. I've never played 1.0, so I can't compare it to that, but I have played WoW, and let me tell you, this is a nice set of improvements (and drawbacks) from that gajillion year old game. Let's start with the graphics, because ERMAHGERD the game is pretty. The system requirements are pretty high, but the game is very pretty. There's quite a bit of character customization you can do, with 2 genders and 2 variations on each race, a bunch of height, skin color, facial, and voice options. Oh, and the clothes ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE CLOTHES. I mean, it's Final Fantasy, so the high level gear is ridiculously outlandish as always, but the clothes aren't just textures painted to your skin. They're like... clothes.
I'm playing as an Arcanist (Magic with DoTs and pets) because it was the closest to Shadow Priest they had, but after you reach level 10 and visit the different cities, you can switch between classes as you like. It's encouraged to do so too, since you can use certain skills across all classes. For example, I played a bit with Marauder (2-handed melee fighter) after I unlocked it, and early on, they learn a skill that buffs your defense by 20% for a few seconds, which I'm able to use as an Arcanist. After you reach a certain level with a set of classes, you unlock Jobs, which are specialized versions of the base classes. Arcanists become can Summoners or Scholars, Lancers can become Dragoons, and Thaumaturges can be those infamous Black Mages.
As far as questing and combat, nothing's really changed from the MMO norm. Shocking, I know. There's your run of the mill "I have an exclamation mark over my head and I want you to do stuff" quests, there's FATEs, which pop up randomly in the world and can be joined by anyone by just walking into the area and helping, and Guildleves, which are phased quests specifically for you with adjustable difficulty (and it's their form of repeatable daily quests). There are a few different storylines told through cutscenes, which are nice.
I'm enjoying the game quite a lot so far, and I'm hoping that lasts. If anyone decides to play, I'm Kerreth Syltaix on Brynhildr.