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FFXIVstuff, aka monster hunter XIV
Alisha
post Aug 4 2009, 03:05 PM
Post #1


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http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/04/final-fa...new-job-system/

The latest edition of Famitsu Wave recently hit newsstands in Japan, bringing with it a DVD which contains an 8-minute exposé on Square Enix's second stab at the MMO genre, Final Fantasy XIV. The whole video is posted after the break. Fret not -- it sports convenient English subtitles.

Here's some of the more titillating excerpts: The game features a reinvented character progression system which does not include experience points or leveling up. The job system from XI will make an appearance, but in a heavily altered form -- an interview with the game's director, Nobuaki Komoto, revealed that the game will place a focus on the weapons players use, explaining that your armaments will determine "the way you play" and "the way you grow." Sounds reminiscent of Final Fantasy IX. (That's a very good thing.)

In addition, FFXIV producer Hiromichi Tanaka explained that the game takes place in a new region with a more "modern" feel to it -- the mysterious Eorzea which was mentioned in the trailer. The new world features familiar races (albeit with new names), and plays host to a "deep story," which is told through cut-scenes and quests. For more FFXIV info than you can possibly handle, check the video after the jump.


sounds similar to monster hunter no?

Race Scans

















QUOTE
Someone translated the text on BG Forums regarding the characters:

"When you make your character, aside from choosing the race, you will also be able to customize their appearance. Head, skin color, hair type etc, there will be multiple factors. Just how exact we will be able to customize their appearance is still unknown, but we mean it in a good way when we say that it seems like it will become a worry to many players."


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Scan_Man
post Aug 11 2010, 05:39 AM
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Grand Armor
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Phase 3 started. So pretty much this version of the game, and any tweaks in the coming weeks, is what we can expect at release. My impressions so far.

First, they fixed the crappy controls, which is a major plus. Along with the battle improvements, fighting stuff actually feels like a MMO on PC, and not a sloppy PS3 port. Go figure.

The system before for initiating battle works on a PS3 control scheme, but feels clunky when mapped to PC controls. Initiating battle had a lot of unnecessary intermediate steps involved. You had to press "F" to draw your weapon to enter aggressive mode, then tab target to find enemy, press "C" to lock on to enemy, press a number key or "T" to toggle on your action bar, then press a number for the ability of your choosing on your action bar. Very cumbersome to the point where it would make it difficult to enjoy gameplay when first starting out. In any game nothing should impede gameplay, however the old system did just that.

Combat is a lot more enjoyable because of improvements. Now all you have to do is target an enemy, use the ability of your choosing. Everything mentioned above is automatically done. It works how every other MMO works. No more unnecessary intermediate steps for you to do in order for something that should be simple and an integral part of gameplay.

The other beef was the UI. The UI was very tailored to a console experience, with menus with sub-menus upon sub-menus. It is fine for a console because you are working with a Dpad, and limited amount of buttons. In consoles, you need menus and sub-menus, with confirmations of actions in case there is a miss-click or miss-selection, because one of the ways to get more functionality with limited buttons is to add different contexts in which to use those buttons. For the most part, the UI has been streamlined. Silly stuff like having three different sub-menus for inventory, and having to distribute loot into your bags has been taken out.

Seriously, when you received loot it did not automatically put it in your bag. Your loot was placed in a "Loot" sub-menu inside the inventory menu. You had to manually click on each piece of loot you collected, and what quantity, confirm to keep it or decide to discard it. After 5 hours of play, such a process could take 20 minutes. Does not help that the GUI interaction is server side, which means you have to wait for it if there is lag: servers are in Japan, and region free. Beyond retarded. Another system that interrupts gameplay.

Anyway, these types of menus makes sense for a console game where you can't drag and drop, "right-click" to destroy, or "shift + right-click" to choose quantity like you can on a PC. All this has now been streamlined, but the very basic menu system remains intact. I don't have a problem with this as long as they add the ability to customize hotkeys to open up different menus. I don't like hunting for what I need in a long list, if I need to open my Journal I should be able to by pressing "J."

Battle speed has been improved again, and with new animations! Battles are actually interesting to look at. Before the battle speed and animations was very akin to console FFs, which is kind of weird and boring for a MMO if you think about it. Not to mention slow. You engage an enemy with FF6-9 era sounding battle music from Nobuo Uematsu (glad he is back), wait for stamina (like ATB) before you can attack. Unlesh an attack by rushing forward. Then after the attack your character hops a few feet away from the enemy! Admittedly, I found this charming because that is how Final Fantasy battles are. This was not present in FFXI, which went for the stand around to tank and spank. In FFXIV the Final Fantasy feeling to battles was there, even though it was not as exaggerated compared to the single player game. It is gone now, namely the slow pacing, and hopping back. The new battle speed and animations changes gives the game more a WoW feel. For a MMO this is more fitting because spending up to five minutes on a single enemy gets old fast. And the hopping backwards sometimes led to targeting issues.

Oh, the classic FF victory fanfare is now present when you defeat enemies. In the previous beta phases you could only hear it when you complete a quest. It is bugged though because it goes off if someone next to you kills something. Very annoying in crowded areas. But, it is nice they are trying to go for a more traditional Final Fantasy feel where they can, and where it works.

Skill increase speed has shot way up. There is no official word as to why they increased the speed. It could be they want testers to quickly jump in to test group content with a wide range of skills. Or they realized leveling a single job is not viable for any kind of group play, nor solo. That the old rate of skill gains was too slow for training other jobs you need skills in. Took me about 20 hours to get to Rank 16 with one job. I figure the old rate was more so discouraging to group play because you needed to grind out 10-20+ ranks in several jobs to gain maybe the good skills to be party viable. For instance, Lancer had a haste self-buff earned at like rank 10+, making leveling Lancer mandatory for everybody (they later changed it to a Lancer only skill thankfully). Then you add in the fact that, you may need to switch to a job that is not your primary because of group composition.

Lastly, mouse is still handled by software. Square improved this somewhat, but it still lags like hell in high populated areas. So using mouse to target things is not that viable. This needs to be fixed.

Overall, I am impressed with the improvements. Hopefully, the game receives some much deserved polish in the coming weeks to be ready for launch.

This post has been edited by Scan_Man: Aug 11 2010, 06:29 AM


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Alisha   FFXIVstuff   Aug 4 2009, 03:05 PM
Crushinator   Can't wait to hear how this stacks up to World of ...   Jul 12 2010, 10:11 PM
Scan_Man   LOL! Maybe comparisons later when I get my Catacly...   Jul 12 2010, 10:25 PM
Scan_Man   Testing was canceled for this weekend. Did play it...   Jul 18 2010, 03:33 PM
Crushinator   I like hearing that the quests are like the FF12/1...   Jul 18 2010, 03:50 PM
Scan_Man   Well I have 14 hours under my belt on this game. E...   Jul 24 2010, 12:44 PM
Crushinator   How do you unlock Marth?   Jul 24 2010, 01:36 PM
AC9breaker   Why do kids love cinnamon toast crunch?   Jul 24 2010, 01:49 PM
Crushinator   Why do they call it Apple Jacks when it doesn't ta...   Jul 24 2010, 03:04 PM
donkeybeatz   More importantly, why do they call it Grape-Nuts w...   Jul 24 2010, 04:01 PM
Scan_Man   There is a rainbow lucky charm in the rainbow of L...   Jul 24 2010, 07:05 PM
Crushinator   QUOTE(Scan_Man @ Jul 24 2010, 07:05 PM) T...   Jul 24 2010, 08:16 PM
Scan_Man   Phase 2 of the beta will start tonight. Servers wi...   Jul 28 2010, 01:15 PM
Scan_Man   Phase 3 started. So pretty much this version of th...   Aug 11 2010, 05:39 AM
Kazicht   Good info! I'm relieved about the control and batt...   Aug 11 2010, 11:20 AM
AC9breaker   So now the real question, is anyone here planning ...   Aug 11 2010, 01:16 PM
Crushinator   All depends on if I get a new computer up by then....   Aug 11 2010, 02:23 PM
Scan_Man   The changes have actually made this game enjoyable...   Aug 11 2010, 03:24 PM
tanshin   I didn't want to say anything at the risk of drama...   Aug 12 2010, 01:34 PM
Alisha   i'll be waiting for ps3 release. but at least phan...   Aug 12 2010, 04:17 PM
Crushinator   QUOTE(Alisha @ Aug 12 2010, 04:17 PM) gim...   Aug 12 2010, 04:42 PM
Alisha   QUOTE(Crushinator @ Aug 12 2010, 06:42 PM...   Aug 12 2010, 06:04 PM
Scan_Man   QUOTE(Alisha @ Aug 12 2010, 06:04 PM) QUO...   Aug 12 2010, 06:23 PM
AC9breaker   In any event. I've already pre purchased my copy o...   Aug 12 2010, 04:48 PM
Scan_Man   QUOTE(AC9breaker @ Aug 12 2010, 04:48 PM)...   Aug 12 2010, 05:51 PM
tanshin   QUOTE(AC9breaker @ Aug 12 2010, 03:48 PM)...   Aug 12 2010, 06:02 PM
Scan_Man   WALL OF TEXT! Response to Tanshin: I am just giv...   Aug 12 2010, 05:35 PM
Vitamin D   RE: FFXIVstuff   Aug 12 2010, 05:43 PM
HC82   Wall of text for the win. I like to read walls of ...   Aug 13 2010, 04:46 AM
Scan_Man   LOL! Bravo HC!   Aug 13 2010, 03:07 PM
Afroforce   Look, I haven't played a game with most of you in ...   Aug 14 2010, 09:50 AM
Scan_Man   Of course subject to change. But, if you want to t...   Aug 14 2010, 06:06 PM
Afroforce   I'm up for any server, really. I just want to have...   Aug 14 2010, 06:36 PM
AC9breaker   I don't think any of us are really planning a desi...   Aug 15 2010, 10:37 AM
Crushinator   Did they do away with the bullshit friend passes a...   Aug 15 2010, 02:09 PM
AC9breaker   QUOTE(Crushinator @ Aug 15 2010, 04:09 PM...   Aug 15 2010, 02:32 PM
Afroforce   I'm getting the CE. So I'll be there early, just k...   Aug 15 2010, 02:16 PM
Wiryu   That could potentially just be a 14-day free trial...   Aug 15 2010, 02:44 PM
Scan_Man   Picking your server is part of the character creat...   Aug 15 2010, 03:11 PM
AC9breaker   Actually what is the max population for a server? ...   Aug 15 2010, 03:39 PM
Scan_Man   The max population is indicated by 4 chocobos next...   Aug 15 2010, 05:31 PM
AC9breaker   Ugh, right now I think the biggest thing holding m...   Aug 15 2010, 06:56 PM
Scan_Man   Here is the recommended specs to run the game smoo...   Aug 15 2010, 09:41 PM
Crushinator   QUOTE(Scan_Man @ Aug 15 2010, 09:41 PM) H...   Aug 16 2010, 01:31 PM
Scan_Man   QUOTE(Crushinator @ Aug 16 2010, 01:31 PM...   Aug 16 2010, 04:05 PM
Afroforce   I already showed Dave what I'm having built for me...   Aug 16 2010, 06:07 AM
Knightsword   No, I think they just don't want pc loving america...   Aug 16 2010, 02:29 PM
Scan_Man   BTW this is default settings: Screen mode and win...   Aug 16 2010, 04:26 PM
tanshin   oh my gyaaaaahd. I wonder if I can squeak by until...   Aug 18 2010, 03:07 AM
Alisha   i'm wondering if crafting classes can fight? other...   Aug 23 2010, 04:39 PM
tanshin   They can definitely fight, they just suck at it, h...   Aug 23 2010, 05:14 PM
Alisha   QUOTE(tanshin @ Aug 23 2010, 07:14 PM) Th...   Aug 23 2010, 05:32 PM
Scan_Man   QUOTE(Alisha @ Aug 23 2010, 05:32 PM) QUO...   Aug 23 2010, 07:45 PM
AC9breaker   http://www.ffxivcore.com/topic/11964-surpl...-komo...   Aug 25 2010, 02:39 PM
Crushinator   Yeah, i just read over that and it seems like a lo...   Aug 25 2010, 02:54 PM
AC9breaker   RE: FFXIVstuff   Aug 25 2010, 03:09 PM
Scan_Man   Well the main thing people on the beta forums are ...   Aug 25 2010, 07:31 PM
AC9breaker   To summarize what Scan said for all you lazy rubes...   Aug 26 2010, 05:40 AM
Scan_Man   Folks on the beta forums figured out how Surplus w...   Aug 26 2010, 08:11 AM
Crushinator   Pre-release trailer. OH GOD THIS SONG! EDIT: ...   Aug 27 2010, 08:38 AM
tanshin   Dammit, you mean I can't waste all my time grindin...   Aug 27 2010, 11:48 AM
Crushinator   I liked grinding in FFXI. When I finally got l...   Aug 27 2010, 11:58 AM
tanshin   It's true, MMO's are a stairway to nowhere. Even i...   Aug 27 2010, 12:12 PM
Maxx   The silly thing about this whole surplus thing is ...   Aug 27 2010, 12:42 PM
Maxx   QUOTE(Maxx @ Aug 27 2010, 12:42 PM) The s...   Aug 27 2010, 01:21 PM
Scan_Man   All really good points. When it comes MMOs I try...   Aug 27 2010, 03:42 PM
tanshin   Scan- Yeah, I actually agree with you there Scan. ...   Aug 27 2010, 04:25 PM
Crushinator   Officially NOT playing, unless someone gives me a ...   Aug 27 2010, 07:47 PM
AC9breaker   I'll only play is crush is playing. so officially...   Aug 27 2010, 11:57 PM
Crushinator   I just found a computer that fell off the back of ...   Aug 28 2010, 12:49 AM
Wiryu   I will be playing.   Aug 28 2010, 10:55 AM
Vitamin D   Well, I'm not much a fan of this fatigue idea myse...   Aug 28 2010, 10:56 AM
Kazicht   I'm still in, and I'm calling it now - if you let ...   Aug 28 2010, 02:00 PM
Scan_Man   Open beta I will be playing. After launch I will j...   Aug 28 2010, 03:44 PM
Afroforce   I'm in, of course. And I'm kind of thankful I'm g...   Aug 29 2010, 08:31 AM
Knightsword   I'll be giving it a go, got my LE preordered as we...   Aug 29 2010, 10:45 AM
AC9breaker   Just got an email for the open beta. I'll hop on ...   Aug 31 2010, 09:00 AM
Crushinator   Oh no! Open beta delayed! http://www.giantbomb.co...   Aug 31 2010, 03:19 PM
Scan_Man   Yeah not surprised it was delayed. Been the story ...   Aug 31 2010, 06:16 PM
Knightsword   QUOTEFINAL FANTASY XIV Open Beta Test Will Start o...   Sep 1 2010, 12:28 PM
Afroforce   What are the current server names and are they the...   Sep 4 2010, 04:44 PM
Scan_Man   New server names. Cornelia Kashuan Gysahl Mysidia...   Sep 4 2010, 04:49 PM
Afroforce   Nice. Once we pick one, I can start telling my oth...   Sep 5 2010, 12:07 AM
Knightsword   It better damn well be Figaro, or else   Sep 5 2010, 10:09 AM
Afroforce   QUOTE(Knightsword @ Sep 5 2010, 09:09 AM)...   Sep 5 2010, 11:20 AM
Knightsword   If ya have not gotten the beta files downloaded ye...   Sep 5 2010, 09:14 PM
Scan_Man   Which starting city?   Sep 5 2010, 09:30 PM
Knightsword   Dunno, after getting everything downloaded and ins...   Sep 5 2010, 11:13 PM
HC82   What's peoples take on this game so far, consideri...   Sep 7 2010, 09:51 PM
Maxx   QUOTE(HC82 @ Sep 7 2010, 09:51 PM) What's...   Sep 8 2010, 11:58 AM
Crushinator   QUOTE(Maxx @ Sep 8 2010, 11:58 AM) It is ...   Sep 8 2010, 12:38 PM
AC9breaker   Okay so here's the plan. I decided I'm gonna get ...   Sep 8 2010, 01:38 PM
Maxx   QUOTE(AC9breaker @ Sep 8 2010, 01:38 PM) ...   Sep 8 2010, 01:53 PM
Scan_Man   It would be nice if the downloader worked.   Sep 8 2010, 02:57 PM
Knightsword   QUOTE(Scan_Man @ Sep 8 2010, 03:57 PM) It...   Sep 8 2010, 04:36 PM
Scan_Man   I have it downloaded. But, I speak of that as a cr...   Sep 8 2010, 05:00 PM
Knightsword   Yea I went to Limsa Lominsa, that place is worse t...   Sep 8 2010, 05:12 PM
Dive   TEST   Sep 8 2010, 09:24 PM
Wiryu   Success.   Sep 8 2010, 09:26 PM
Knightsword   Oh ya one issue I hope SE fixes the crashing on al...   Sep 8 2010, 09:33 PM
Scan_Man   Ul'Dah is not so bad. The starting experience is ...   Sep 9 2010, 05:43 PM
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