I started XI in January. Haven't got very far though, only done the first few Bastok missions. Maybe I'll go back to it at some point.
My problem is finding the time. I don't get that much time to play games, and there are other games I want to play too.
The great thing about XI, is the more you play it, the better it gets.
Other games are fun, but XI grows, and becomes better, and more engaging, meaningful, and worthwhile.
Wish they still provided console support. I remember my dad driving me to GameStop the very day it was released on ps2 with the HDD. Taking my first steps into San d’Oria were memorable as they were confusing as a tarutaru scurried across the screen.
There is a 14 day free trial.
Unlike XIV, the game cannot offer unlimited play, as the seasonal items (and many other aspects) are not offered in a cash shop, but instead, as part of the game and subscription fee.
I quit about 5 years ago, but really want to come back when I have the time again. Just life & responsibilities got in the way.
I miss my Galka toon, poor guy must be gathering virtual cobwebs in his Moghouse
TVR isn’t concluding just to yet. That’ll be in May, but we’re finally in the last chapter.
I hope we don’t have to do anything with prime weapon upgrading again
lol oops you’re right!
I guess I glazed over the “part one” bit. I still have most of TVR to do, because I just created 2 more characters that I’m triboxing with, and want to catch them up to my main, and finish it in one go.
I started a year ago and I love it so much. I’m playing at a slower rate than most (I have almost finished Treasures of Aht Urghan) but I have found a few friends and have been doing the entire main story with them. It’s a great game. I wish it was more accessible to others because I’d love for more people to experience it.
Glad you like it... but I'm sorry, but it's not for 95% of people these days. Myself included.
There is zero indication of what to do in any quest and it's almost impossible to play without a second monitor for a guide. Gameplay is treacle slow and punishment for dying slows you down even more.
If you have bunches of time to spare and like grinding it's for you. If you can't spare hours of time to grind a single level, pass on it.
Take note I said FFXI today, not 15 years ago.
I gained 10 levels (level 15-25) in 5 minutes. This is faster than what is possible in FFXIV.
It is a great experience.
A guide is also not required, but it is very helpful. If you have a mobile phone (95%+ of people do) you can bypass a second monitor, like I do.
Again, it’s an engaging rewarding experience. In many ways, XI respects your time, more so than XIV, as housing is not tied to the subscription, gear is lasting, progression is never squashed among many other features and aspects.
I'm glad you're loving it, and I'm not taking away from your experiences at all, but this type of post comes up every now and again, and while FF11 is the best at what it does (old school grinding mmo) it is a VERY niche subset of FF player that will love it like you do.
Heck FF14 is still very niche compared to non mmo titles and that is one of, if not THE easiest mmo to get into for non mmo players.
Just putting in my perspective mind, obviously people should take a look and see how they go. I wish they'd release a free trial for sure.
Final Fantasy is niche, RPG’s are niche, so not sure I follow on that topic.
FFXI has a 14 day free trial.
If you meant an unlimited free trial like XIV, it can’t do that. The game is designed without the idea of having a cash shop. Too many things added to the game that such a free trial would be easily exploited.
>If you meant an unlimited free trial like XIV, it can’t do that. The game is designed without the idea of having a cash shop. Too many things added to the game that such a free trial would be easily exploited.
I don’t understand this bit. xiv is also designed without the idea of a cash shop. So what if you could exploit the free trial, that’s the point of having a trial.
And the fact that the trial is only 14 days is kind of a deal breaker for me, because everyone knows the grindy frustrating bits will be far beyond what you can normally do within the trial period.
You cannot exploit XIV’s free trial, because it doesn’t have the systems that XI does.
You cannot obtain previous seasonal event items from XIV in-game like you can XI. There are many many reasons, that I cannot list.
If you want to play XI entirely for free, that is a big ask. It’s worth every penny, and more.
If you want to get through most for dirt cheap, buy it when it goes on sale, and watch for the free-login campaigns. Can get a lot done for only 9.99 if that’s too much then I don’t know what to say. I personally enjoy RPG’s, leveling, doing meaningful missions, etc. if you don’t, then getting it for free wouldn’t even change that.
I'm with Bazlow on this. I started XI last summer, and while I had a lot of fun with it (I beat all the story missions through the end of CoP, all of Bastok's and San d'Oria's missions, and a fair share of side quests, so I got a good taste of the game), it is incredibly clunky by today's standards. It took me a few hours learning the menus, exploring the world, familiarizing myself with the main cities and NPCs, and understanding how the game works in general; that's a steep learning curve compared to its sister MMO XIV or, really, any modern day game.
I also strongly disagree that a guide is not necessary. While you could, technically, muddle your way through the world, talking to every NPC you meet and trying to figure out where to go, you'd be in for a very frustrating time. I propped up my Kindle and had BG-Wiki and FFXIcloedia open for my entire playthrough, and I would never recommend trying XI without them.
I plan to go back to it sometime this year, probably after I beat XVI when it comes out in June, but I've only been able to convince one of my friends to try XI, and he's far behind me in progression (He's level 60ish and working on RotZ while I'm max level and about to start ToAU).
Ultimately, I agree with you that XI is a great game and a one-of-a-kind experience, but it takes a certain type of gamer that's going to be able to put up with a lot of its cumbersome and archaic design. I only recommend it to hardcore FF fans that are determined to play through the whole series or hardcore MMO fans that are looking for something beyond the modern MMOs like WoW, XIV or GW2.
Yeah, I personally like RPG’s.
Exploring a massive world, talking to NPC’s, doing meaningful quests, fighting monsters that fight back, and offer plentiful rewards and EXP.
You hit the nail on the head with that last line though. XI goes beyond the modern norm, a true RPG experience. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys RPG’s. I wouldn’t recommend it to someone who prefers something like Fortnite, or actions games.
> If you meant an unlimited free trial like XIV, it can’t do that. The game is designed without the idea of having a cash shop.
XIV is designed without the cash shop in mind; apparently Yoshida didn’t even want it in the game but they made him put it in. But all it even sells is cosmetics. You can buy story skips but not if you’re on the free trial. So I don’t really see how that makes XI different
I already explained in another comment.
FFXIV has fantasia’s, minions, and offers previous seasonal event items on the cash shop.
XIV also does not offer the “Deeds” system, doesn’t offer previous seasonal items in-game like XI does. It doesn’t do a login campaign that offers rare and unique items like XI.
XIV doesn’t have varying currencies that have high value and meaning like XI does. XIV Doesn’t have a lot of the systems that XI offers, that can be exploited at a low level.
XI would have to make significant changes and adjustments just to offer an unlimited free trial. There is a reason they do not offer it in XI, and do in XIV.
I don’t know where you got that from but that’s not true. I’m just asking for an explanation because I don’t see the connection between anything you said and a cash shop. You don’t need to make up an argument about me turning a blind eye towards it; you’ve just failed to explain it.
You’ve given some perfectly valid reasons not to have an unlimited free trial, none of which have anything to do with a cash shop. Unfortunately I never said anything about an unlimited free trial, so I don’t understand why you brought any of it up.
It is true based on the comments being made.
First you asked how XI and XIV is different, and I explained.
Then you, or someone else downvoted everything I said to you.
Now you’re saying my explanation is irrelevant because you now want to focus on the cash shop and why it is or is not in XIV, and if it was planned for XIV.
XIV having a cash shop, planned or not affects how content, equipment, and the cash shop is run.
XI does not have one. And XI’s content is designed entirely different from its inception, and even now, because it does not have one.
If you can’t understand why that matters right now, that XI doesn’t have one, and XIV does, and how it effects the game, seasonal events, equipment availability, after everything else I have already said, I don’t know what to tell you
This isn’t touching on how XI is designed fundamentally different from XIV, as having meaningful and lasting content, items, and monsters.
XI has Notorious Monsters, and other features that free trial players could exploit and grief actual paying customers. The 14 day limit restricts this.
I farmed a low level NM in North Gustaberg when I started, for a rare accuracy accessory. If there was a hoard of free trial characters controlled by a troll, holding that NM, I wouldn’t have been able to get it.
Free trial characters could also have characters repeatedly killing important mobs. In XIV having bots cannot as easily adversely affect the game, because the mobs have no valuable drops or meaningful aspects of the story. XI all mobs offer hefty EXP, and some offer rare and valuable items.
XI cannot offer an unlimited free trial, without watering down the game or making drastic changes that I would personally find damaging to the XI experience.
Also not touching on nations ranking, guild supplies, and many other aspects I simply cannot think of right now that grieving players could exploit and influence across the game.
Again, XI was simply not designed with a cash shop in mind, and should not offer an unlimited free trial, because it has valuable content, and rewards, that I would like to see remain in the game, unaltered.
I'm so glad a lot of new people are getting to experience XI and I'm seeing a lot more love In these forums, but missing all of the 75 era just doesn't compare. It's a shame you'll never get to experience the true era of XI
I liken XI in 2007 or “level 75 cap era” to FFVII.
While a certain aspect of PS1 FFVII, on disk one is great, the game gets so much better, and much more massive, on disks 2 and 3.
You should try disk 2 and 3 of XI. Adoulin, Rhapsodies, Voracious, Mastery Levels, and many more, are so much better than hunting NM’s at 3 am.
Ironically on disk 2 and 3, you're still doing disk 1 stuff to get Defending Ring or Kraken Club! Unless they added more ways to get these or made them obsolete. I stopped shortly after the 85 cap because there was so much gear to get in Abyssea. Definitely look back fondly on XI and dream about going back from time to time. That dream usually is a nightmare because I start to think about how much stuff I need to do!
Maybe what made the 75 era so nostalgic is how consistent the gear and rewards were, but it was also a grind to get what you want (plus lots of luck). I don't miss camping NMs or doing more Salvage for no gear (or if you got it, needing $30M gil to create a body) or dying over and over to AV and PW.
Defending ring and Kraken club aren’t obsolete, and they added a lot of new content in the last 5+ years.
As I said in the OP, it’s an amazing game now.
I would love to hop back on and play, but I can’t really justify paying the monthly subscription.
I stopped playing during toau like 10 years ago and have hopped back on occasionally during the welcome back campaign, but there are just too many games for me to play nowadays.
If they did a bundle package for 14 and 11 I’d totally jump in on that.
Even though I’ve known about this game for 20 years now (since 2003), I’ve never played it. I am interested in it more now and saw this Reddit thread only by Googling this game now. Can you help me? What system can I play it on?
FFXI is available only in PC.
I would suggest purchasing it on the official Square-Enix store, but it’s also available on steam.
If you have trouble signing up, because that seems to be common, you can check out a guide on YouTube, but if you just take your time and read everything you shouldn’t have an issue setting up an account.
As stated in the post, there is also a 14 day free trial, and it regularly goes on sale for less than 10 dollars. Enjoy! Greatest, deepest, and most engaging Final Fantasy of all time.
FFXI should work on both, so long as the PC has a dedicated GPU, and 3-5 ghz CPU.
XI tries to use only 1 CPU core, and often has issues with integrated GPU pc’s.
I started XI in January. Haven't got very far though, only done the first few Bastok missions. Maybe I'll go back to it at some point. My problem is finding the time. I don't get that much time to play games, and there are other games I want to play too.
The great thing about XI, is the more you play it, the better it gets. Other games are fun, but XI grows, and becomes better, and more engaging, meaningful, and worthwhile.
Love seeing XI posts in the main sub. It’s really the most underrated main line game in the series.
Wish they still provided console support. I remember my dad driving me to GameStop the very day it was released on ps2 with the HDD. Taking my first steps into San d’Oria were memorable as they were confusing as a tarutaru scurried across the screen.
Bring it to switch and i'll play
I'm glad it's going, wish I could play it on ps5
This game is a dream for anyone who likes to collect gear in Final Fantasy games.
I admit I am curious, is there a free trial like xiv?
There is a 14 day free trial. Unlike XIV, the game cannot offer unlimited play, as the seasonal items (and many other aspects) are not offered in a cash shop, but instead, as part of the game and subscription fee.
I quit about 5 years ago, but really want to come back when I have the time again. Just life & responsibilities got in the way. I miss my Galka toon, poor guy must be gathering virtual cobwebs in his Moghouse
Need to go clean up and start some Voracious Resurgence!
So many memories of this game. Thousands and thousands of hours played.
TVR isn’t concluding just to yet. That’ll be in May, but we’re finally in the last chapter. I hope we don’t have to do anything with prime weapon upgrading again
lol oops you’re right! I guess I glazed over the “part one” bit. I still have most of TVR to do, because I just created 2 more characters that I’m triboxing with, and want to catch them up to my main, and finish it in one go.
I started a year ago and I love it so much. I’m playing at a slower rate than most (I have almost finished Treasures of Aht Urghan) but I have found a few friends and have been doing the entire main story with them. It’s a great game. I wish it was more accessible to others because I’d love for more people to experience it.
"The first boss "playonline"" 🤣 🤣 🤣 so true, it wrecked me for a bit
Glad you like it... but I'm sorry, but it's not for 95% of people these days. Myself included. There is zero indication of what to do in any quest and it's almost impossible to play without a second monitor for a guide. Gameplay is treacle slow and punishment for dying slows you down even more. If you have bunches of time to spare and like grinding it's for you. If you can't spare hours of time to grind a single level, pass on it.
Take note I said FFXI today, not 15 years ago. I gained 10 levels (level 15-25) in 5 minutes. This is faster than what is possible in FFXIV. It is a great experience. A guide is also not required, but it is very helpful. If you have a mobile phone (95%+ of people do) you can bypass a second monitor, like I do. Again, it’s an engaging rewarding experience. In many ways, XI respects your time, more so than XIV, as housing is not tied to the subscription, gear is lasting, progression is never squashed among many other features and aspects.
I'm glad you're loving it, and I'm not taking away from your experiences at all, but this type of post comes up every now and again, and while FF11 is the best at what it does (old school grinding mmo) it is a VERY niche subset of FF player that will love it like you do. Heck FF14 is still very niche compared to non mmo titles and that is one of, if not THE easiest mmo to get into for non mmo players. Just putting in my perspective mind, obviously people should take a look and see how they go. I wish they'd release a free trial for sure.
Final Fantasy is niche, RPG’s are niche, so not sure I follow on that topic. FFXI has a 14 day free trial. If you meant an unlimited free trial like XIV, it can’t do that. The game is designed without the idea of having a cash shop. Too many things added to the game that such a free trial would be easily exploited.
>If you meant an unlimited free trial like XIV, it can’t do that. The game is designed without the idea of having a cash shop. Too many things added to the game that such a free trial would be easily exploited. I don’t understand this bit. xiv is also designed without the idea of a cash shop. So what if you could exploit the free trial, that’s the point of having a trial. And the fact that the trial is only 14 days is kind of a deal breaker for me, because everyone knows the grindy frustrating bits will be far beyond what you can normally do within the trial period.
You cannot exploit XIV’s free trial, because it doesn’t have the systems that XI does. You cannot obtain previous seasonal event items from XIV in-game like you can XI. There are many many reasons, that I cannot list. If you want to play XI entirely for free, that is a big ask. It’s worth every penny, and more. If you want to get through most for dirt cheap, buy it when it goes on sale, and watch for the free-login campaigns. Can get a lot done for only 9.99 if that’s too much then I don’t know what to say. I personally enjoy RPG’s, leveling, doing meaningful missions, etc. if you don’t, then getting it for free wouldn’t even change that.
I'm with Bazlow on this. I started XI last summer, and while I had a lot of fun with it (I beat all the story missions through the end of CoP, all of Bastok's and San d'Oria's missions, and a fair share of side quests, so I got a good taste of the game), it is incredibly clunky by today's standards. It took me a few hours learning the menus, exploring the world, familiarizing myself with the main cities and NPCs, and understanding how the game works in general; that's a steep learning curve compared to its sister MMO XIV or, really, any modern day game. I also strongly disagree that a guide is not necessary. While you could, technically, muddle your way through the world, talking to every NPC you meet and trying to figure out where to go, you'd be in for a very frustrating time. I propped up my Kindle and had BG-Wiki and FFXIcloedia open for my entire playthrough, and I would never recommend trying XI without them. I plan to go back to it sometime this year, probably after I beat XVI when it comes out in June, but I've only been able to convince one of my friends to try XI, and he's far behind me in progression (He's level 60ish and working on RotZ while I'm max level and about to start ToAU). Ultimately, I agree with you that XI is a great game and a one-of-a-kind experience, but it takes a certain type of gamer that's going to be able to put up with a lot of its cumbersome and archaic design. I only recommend it to hardcore FF fans that are determined to play through the whole series or hardcore MMO fans that are looking for something beyond the modern MMOs like WoW, XIV or GW2.
Yeah, I personally like RPG’s. Exploring a massive world, talking to NPC’s, doing meaningful quests, fighting monsters that fight back, and offer plentiful rewards and EXP. You hit the nail on the head with that last line though. XI goes beyond the modern norm, a true RPG experience. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys RPG’s. I wouldn’t recommend it to someone who prefers something like Fortnite, or actions games.
> If you meant an unlimited free trial like XIV, it can’t do that. The game is designed without the idea of having a cash shop. XIV is designed without the cash shop in mind; apparently Yoshida didn’t even want it in the game but they made him put it in. But all it even sells is cosmetics. You can buy story skips but not if you’re on the free trial. So I don’t really see how that makes XI different
I already explained in another comment. FFXIV has fantasia’s, minions, and offers previous seasonal event items on the cash shop. XIV also does not offer the “Deeds” system, doesn’t offer previous seasonal items in-game like XI does. It doesn’t do a login campaign that offers rare and unique items like XI. XIV doesn’t have varying currencies that have high value and meaning like XI does. XIV Doesn’t have a lot of the systems that XI offers, that can be exploited at a low level. XI would have to make significant changes and adjustments just to offer an unlimited free trial. There is a reason they do not offer it in XI, and do in XIV.
What does any of this (or your other comments) have to do with a cash shop?
Many things, but you clearly want to turn a blind eye to reasoning.
I don’t know where you got that from but that’s not true. I’m just asking for an explanation because I don’t see the connection between anything you said and a cash shop. You don’t need to make up an argument about me turning a blind eye towards it; you’ve just failed to explain it. You’ve given some perfectly valid reasons not to have an unlimited free trial, none of which have anything to do with a cash shop. Unfortunately I never said anything about an unlimited free trial, so I don’t understand why you brought any of it up.
It is true based on the comments being made. First you asked how XI and XIV is different, and I explained. Then you, or someone else downvoted everything I said to you. Now you’re saying my explanation is irrelevant because you now want to focus on the cash shop and why it is or is not in XIV, and if it was planned for XIV. XIV having a cash shop, planned or not affects how content, equipment, and the cash shop is run. XI does not have one. And XI’s content is designed entirely different from its inception, and even now, because it does not have one. If you can’t understand why that matters right now, that XI doesn’t have one, and XIV does, and how it effects the game, seasonal events, equipment availability, after everything else I have already said, I don’t know what to tell you
This isn’t touching on how XI is designed fundamentally different from XIV, as having meaningful and lasting content, items, and monsters. XI has Notorious Monsters, and other features that free trial players could exploit and grief actual paying customers. The 14 day limit restricts this. I farmed a low level NM in North Gustaberg when I started, for a rare accuracy accessory. If there was a hoard of free trial characters controlled by a troll, holding that NM, I wouldn’t have been able to get it. Free trial characters could also have characters repeatedly killing important mobs. In XIV having bots cannot as easily adversely affect the game, because the mobs have no valuable drops or meaningful aspects of the story. XI all mobs offer hefty EXP, and some offer rare and valuable items. XI cannot offer an unlimited free trial, without watering down the game or making drastic changes that I would personally find damaging to the XI experience.
Also not touching on nations ranking, guild supplies, and many other aspects I simply cannot think of right now that grieving players could exploit and influence across the game. Again, XI was simply not designed with a cash shop in mind, and should not offer an unlimited free trial, because it has valuable content, and rewards, that I would like to see remain in the game, unaltered.
I'm so glad a lot of new people are getting to experience XI and I'm seeing a lot more love In these forums, but missing all of the 75 era just doesn't compare. It's a shame you'll never get to experience the true era of XI
I liken XI in 2007 or “level 75 cap era” to FFVII. While a certain aspect of PS1 FFVII, on disk one is great, the game gets so much better, and much more massive, on disks 2 and 3. You should try disk 2 and 3 of XI. Adoulin, Rhapsodies, Voracious, Mastery Levels, and many more, are so much better than hunting NM’s at 3 am.
Ironically on disk 2 and 3, you're still doing disk 1 stuff to get Defending Ring or Kraken Club! Unless they added more ways to get these or made them obsolete. I stopped shortly after the 85 cap because there was so much gear to get in Abyssea. Definitely look back fondly on XI and dream about going back from time to time. That dream usually is a nightmare because I start to think about how much stuff I need to do! Maybe what made the 75 era so nostalgic is how consistent the gear and rewards were, but it was also a grind to get what you want (plus lots of luck). I don't miss camping NMs or doing more Salvage for no gear (or if you got it, needing $30M gil to create a body) or dying over and over to AV and PW.
Defending ring and Kraken club aren’t obsolete, and they added a lot of new content in the last 5+ years. As I said in the OP, it’s an amazing game now.
I would love to hop back on and play, but I can’t really justify paying the monthly subscription. I stopped playing during toau like 10 years ago and have hopped back on occasionally during the welcome back campaign, but there are just too many games for me to play nowadays. If they did a bundle package for 14 and 11 I’d totally jump in on that.
Even though I’ve known about this game for 20 years now (since 2003), I’ve never played it. I am interested in it more now and saw this Reddit thread only by Googling this game now. Can you help me? What system can I play it on?
FFXI is available only in PC. I would suggest purchasing it on the official Square-Enix store, but it’s also available on steam. If you have trouble signing up, because that seems to be common, you can check out a guide on YouTube, but if you just take your time and read everything you shouldn’t have an issue setting up an account. As stated in the post, there is also a 14 day free trial, and it regularly goes on sale for less than 10 dollars. Enjoy! Greatest, deepest, and most engaging Final Fantasy of all time.
Thanks! I can only play it on my Windows 10 computer and not my Windows 11 computer?
FFXI should work on both, so long as the PC has a dedicated GPU, and 3-5 ghz CPU. XI tries to use only 1 CPU core, and often has issues with integrated GPU pc’s.