FFXIVstuff, aka monster hunter XIV Options

[Scan_Man]

I really like how the action bar changes based on context. Should be great for the unfortunate folks that have to play this on a PS3 with a controller.

I think the combat is too slow, though still an improvement over FFXI. It seems they got a lot of feedback regarding that because they mentioned they turned the attack bar into basically a stamina bar. So you can get more attacks in by depleting instead of waiting for it to fill to attack. But, I understand the combat pacing is most likely due to the game also being for PS3 and the limitations of playing with a controller. They have to find a middle ground because the two version will be playing together, and they have to play the same. Or else you get the situation like Mass Effect 2 and Dragon Age where the pacing and flow of combat feels like two different games when you compare PC and 360 version.


Maybe towards endgame when you have most of your abilities it gets faster? Since, you might have more active abilities to use. Sitting there waiting to do you your next attack is not fun. Controller folks would have a hard time keeping up though. So maybe not? We have to see.


And very interesting AI there. He seemed to dodge an attack by running behind the crab, and it just sat there, until he had to provoke it. Then the crab turned around. LOL! What is that?

[Alisha]

unfortunate? i actually preferred playing ffxi on ps2/360. but i think its one of those things where tend to like it the first way you tried it. its like in pso where through muscle memory you could do elaborate button presses to cast spells from the menu at the drop of a hat.

[Scan_Man]

Compared to a controller, using good keybindings with a keyboard and mouse allows you to multitask with greater efficiency (I'm speaking strictly about MMORPGs). Scrolling to find abilities and then activating them takes longer than pressing a specific key you have memorized. Yes muscle memory does help, in both setups. But, keyboard and mouse with keybindings will always come out ahead because you also don't lose functionality such as moving your character, controlling the camera, targeting, when activating an ability. In some cases, a controller user has to lose one function in the control scheme in order to scroll through and use an ability, same goes for other types of tasks. On the other hand, a keyboard and mouse user can do all those tasks simultaneously.

Targeting suffers the most on the controller because you have to cycle through targets, while with a mouse you can point and click the person or enemy. There seems to be a lot of abilities in this game, and things could get messy when you have them all at your disposal. Not to mention you are going to need macros on your bar too for times when you need to share vital information with your party.

They are unfortunate because they likely do not have a PC able to play this game: which I hear the game looks gorgeous on a powerful rig. Nor think, or unable, to maybe use some kind of keyboard and controller setup. Unlike FFXI, FFXIV is being designed and tested with the PC version as a priority. So certain things in the user interface and control scheme may not translate well on a console. The context sensitive action bar helps though. It grays out what you can't use but lights up what you can use at the given moment based on some context. Basically narrowing down your options to a few abilities, so you can find the one you need faster. It reduces the disparity between the two control schemes, keyboard/mouse or controller. The slow combat reduces the disparity too. Sadly, these are just some of the design choices they have to make in order to successfully make the game work for both platforms, which will likely being playing together. Without these design choices the PC users would have a very large advantage over PS3 users. Square seems to be trying their best to find a middle ground, ie speeding up combat through the attack gauge, and adding the context sensitive action bar.

I don't think there will be many of these unfortunate people outside of Japan though. But I think it is great Square is actually trying to polish the user interface in order to be most viable for both versions. FFXI on PC suffered greatly for being a port of a PS2 game.

But it has to be said: Playing a MMORPG with a controller is doing it wrong. This is partly why you don't see many MMORPGs on consoles.

This post has been edited by Scan_Man: Jun 18 2010, 12:08 AM

[Crushinator]

I guess this belongs here.

[tanshin]

tl;dr

While testing the alpha for FFXIV, I've been experimenting with both the keyboard and the controller. I don't feel like reading your wall of text, but there is virtually no difference between the two at all other than I find it much more relaxing to sit back and relax with a controller in my hand. You can use the D-pad to scroll back and forth between all the choices on the action menu, and given the fact that you can't do two moves at the same time, it doesn't matter how much faster you can tap "5" on a keyboard than the 1 second it might take to scroll over to it with the d-pad. Crush and I also used controllers in ffxi, and we were great players, and I don't think we were "doing it wrong".

Rest assured, Alisha, your way of using the controller in the game is still intact.

[Scan_Man]

I explained why there is little difference between control schemes in this game, I'm aware of it. The effort Square is putting forth here is a good thing, to restate. Too many companies try to favor one version of the other, or adapt the controls poorly during the port. With one version suffering a bit relative to the other version (Alpha Protocol for PC comes to mind), or gameplay feels slightly different between the two (Mass Effect 2 and Dragon Age for consoles comes to mind here).


But I have questions.

-How is the combat system, and is it fun?

-Can you attack and use abilities while moving?

-Is there any strategy involved depending on enemy types?

-What is your favorite feature in the game?

-How do you feel about the combat speed (I been hearing a lot of complaints about this)?

-Is there a story attached to the quests you are doing?

This post has been edited by Scan_Man: Jun 18 2010, 05:05 PM

[Crushinator]

http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/30/final-fa...ch-2011-on-ps3/

Official launch data, September 30th, 2010!

If you get the special edition you actually get to start a week early, on the 22nd.

Special edition looks pretty swank:


The normal game is $49.99 and the SE is $79.99, both come with a free month of play. Subscriptions are $12.99 a month.

Also this is ONLY the PC version of the game, the PS3 one is not coming out till March of next year.

[Scan_Man]

Those are very shitty release dates for both versions. Square has to know they are in a tight spot.

It would be nice if the PC version and PS3 version were released closer together, but the competition is forcing Square in a corner here. They need to get the PC version out as soon as possible because of WoW: Cataclysm. They are probably betting that Cata will be out no sooner than late October; giving them enough time for people to choose FFXIV instead. But, Blizzard has always released new content when a new MMO tries to challenge them. So I expect a similar release date for Cata. Especially, since on the very day Square announces release date for FFXIV, and a closed beta coming soon, Blizzard sends out their closed beta invites for Cata. So there is going to be closed beta competition too.

A spring release for PC version would be decent because it gives all those players who want to try WoW enough time to experience the content available, and decide if they want to continue or quit. However, The Old Republic is going to be released in the spring. So the Sept 30 release date makes sense. Square needs to get the game out as soon as possible. The anticipation for both Cataclysm and The Old Republic are relatively higher than FFXIV among PC gamers.

If you are a PC FFXI fan, that has no interest in WoW, you will be happy with the release date. But it has got to suck for Square. And it sucks for people like me that play WoW and were interested in giving FFXIV a try.

And the monthly pricing is stupid as hell. What are they thinking? Subscription models are dead. It only works for WoW. And even WoW is slowly transitioning to micro transactions; though until maybe 5+ years down the road.

Not to say this anything to do with the quality of FFXIV as a game. But, they are coming into this as a major underdog for capturing the PC player base. An uphill battle that's for sure.


I'm going to have to pass on this one, barring exceptionally excellent reception, until some time after The Old Republic comes out.

It's very fascinating to me though. Can't wait until fall to see how it all turns out.

This post has been edited by Scan_Man: Jun 30 2010, 10:59 PM

[AC9breaker]

That's a good question Scan_man.


guess I'm gonna reserve special edition.

[Scan_Man]

Well I am in the beta. Guess I'll see for myself.

[Crushinator]

Can't wait to hear how this stacks up to World of Warcraft

[Scan_Man]

LOL! Maybe comparisons later when I get my Cataclysm beta invite. I'm going to play this with a clear mind, and see how it plays as just any game that would come out in 2010 that may potentially warrant a purchase. And then focus on the WoW and other MMO comparisons later. I think I've done enough ranting about that as is. I do have strong opinions about that, but thinking about those will spoil my ability to test and judge the game on its own on two legs.


Going to go play some Dragon Quest IX while I download. It's a Square-Enix week for me it seems.

[Scan_Man]

Testing was canceled for this weekend. Did play it for about 4 hours last Wednesday morning. The controls are bad as I feared. It is not friendly to new players that largely play PC games, much less other MMOs. They are very frustrating imo. A lot of complaints on the feedback forums about this. And from what I read on the feedback FFXI players are not happy about it either. UI needs to be cleaned up overall, as well as the the chat box. Wall of text from NPC is bad! Lastly, the game does not really tell you what to do in a clear manner; this may be due to the NPC hitting you with a wall of text, that you have to scroll up. You pretty much have to read the faq on the beta forums. I don't think this is good design because the game should have clear indicators. It is hard to figure out what NPC to talk in order to advance the story.

I love the questing system, called guildleve, because it is basically the hunts from FFXII, or missions from FFXIII. I like this style because you get to kill a unique monster that spawns only for you or party. You have a choice on which ones you want to partake in, or not, by reading the description. The best part is you can select from a range of difficulties and/or play styles. Another neat thing I love is the guildleve available to you are, as far as I know, random. Every two hours they change. With the fact they are casual friendly, this means you can always log in and find something interesting to do because what you see as available is going to be different each time you log in. Then you can choose how you want to play for that session by reading descriptions, then picking a playstyle and difficulty. Can't wait to see what they do with this for upper tier content.


Edit: What is up with the forums? It showing all posts in a list at the bottom.

This post has been edited by Scan_Man: Jul 18 2010, 03:44 PM

[Crushinator]

I like hearing that the quests are like the FF12/13 missions, that was easily my favorite parts of those games.

I got an invite this week so hopefully I'll be able to give it a shot later.

GALKA 4 LYFE.

[Scan_Man]

Well I have 14 hours under my belt on this game. Enough to get a decent feel for it. I'll take questions if anyone has any.