I gave the Wii U and Xbox One a fair try, but have finally decided I'm going to go with PS4.  What sold me was accidentally coming across a video of Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn playing the Prelude in HD, and it brought back some memories and a huge desire to play.  This generation the PS4 is destroyihng all, and I know it's going to have a ton of games like Tales of Xillia and other great 3rd partie titles I want to play.  I won't be missing out on this greatness, that is for sure.

My first game I want to play is FF14:ARR.  I generally like warrior or melee DPS type classes, which I think means Dragoon, Monk, or Rogue.  My fear as a complete newbie is that I will not get invite to raids at level cap, becasue raids I imagine would be very anti-melee as in many MMORPGs.  If that is the case, I will most likley be a bard or healer in FF14 so I can learn things.  Since I will be completely new, I do have a few questions...

Does this game have a recurit-a-friend type system?  What are raids lke for melee DPS?   How long does it take to hit level cap?  Is there anything a newbie had better know now before logging in?  I'd appreciate any help and tips you can offer.  My white PS4 has been shipped so I need something quick before I get sucked into Destiny! :)

1.) A Realm Reborn does have a recruit a friend system.

2.) Raids are a bit more difficult for melee dps as it is tougher to maintain high levels of damage while dealing with mechanics. However, that doesn't mean melee are excluded from content. Monk is top tier in terms of damage, and Dragoon isn't too far behind it. You shouldn't have trouble finding a group on these classes if you can play them well.

3.) It doesn't take too long to hit level cap, but it will take awhile to max out each class. You need support abilities so be prepared to level up.

4.) There isn't too much you really need to know. Pay attention to the tool tips, and take notice on how to play classes effectively and how to deal with mechanics. Other than that, have fun.

Thanks for the info. If I happen to purchase the Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn disc from someone on craigslist that used it, will I be able to install the game too with that disc?

Send a message to deskpro2k3, he's our FF 14 overlord.

You will be able to install regardless of how many times it was used. You'll always need the game in to start playing it though.

Brace for impact! xD

No really, if you are a DPS or healer it should be ok for the most part, but if you are tanking you will be expected to be born knowing all the fast routes when you go on a dungeon. DPS will pull stuff for you if you are looking at the map, etc. I found the game wasnt newbie friendly at all.

But, aside from that, its a good game, if a bit grindy.

If you don't know where to go, did you ask? If no one puts in the new run disclaimer, I assume it's a speed run.

V

Well, my Xbox One has found itself a new home (for a very large shipping and handling $$$) and my white PS4 is up and running. Loved Destiny but craved FF14, so jumped right into that game immediately. It's rough having too awesome PS4 games side by side and wanting to play both, but I haven't touched a modern Final Fantasy game in consoles generations here. Too long was I a devout Nintendo loyalist.

Logging into FF14, I made a kitty archer, with the most unique, awesome customization ever to grace the game.. I lasted 20 minutes before getting a free company invite. They taught me some basics about questing, fates and travel. I hit level 10 before calling it quits, and thought possibly it would be safe to make a Monk. Hearing the horror of dungeons queues for DPS, I may roll a white mage tomorrow though. It's been fun and looking forward to more soon!