Here's the thing i was just going through EBgames' inventory when i came across a compilation FFXI "The Vana Diel Collection" for PC, Xbox 360 and PS2. I have never owned a PS console thus had never had the pleasure of playing this or any other MMORPG for that matter. What i wanna know is [for folks still playing] is the experience worth it?  Or maybe someone has a friend still playing, can comment on the population, learning curve [for beginners] etc..

I can comment on the learning curve for the PC version. I don't play the game any more but I was into it for quite a while back in the day. It is a decent game but at times you simply must join a party to continue. If you are not a white mage or are friends with a WHM, good luck finding a party. The learning curve for the PC was ENORMOUS! It took me the better part of an hour to figure out how to walk! For the X360 I don't think that will be such a big deal though. If you will learn how to macro and chainskill you can go far. Lots of grinding. After the first 10 or so levels (depending on your class) you cannot solo anymore. The mobs will just pwn your sorry butt.

PS. Chainskill is where party members perform skills one after another to add bonus damage to an attack. Get a chart.

Personally, I think FFXI is the best MMO out there but it's also the hardest and probably one of the most time consuming.

The learning curve is also pretty steep but luckily the general population is pretty awesome and will understand you're new to the game and most people will even gladly help you if you ask. FFXI is very heavy on the community so you don't get the little 14 year old twats you do in WoW.

You'll spend about the first 10 or so levels by yourself and after that you'll spend levels 11-20 grouping in hell (Valkurm Dunes) but once you make it to 25 the game gets pretty awesome. As long as you don't mind being forced to group with people, you'll love it.

Also, yeah, it can be quite difficult to find a group sometimes for certain classes but just stick with it and you'll find one. If you're one of those people that just sit there waiting for a group and do nothing you'll have a terrible time but as long as you pick up a craft or make you're own groups the waiting isn't bad at all.

As for the population level, I have no idea. Last I checked about six months ago it was still pretty strong (though not quite the strength of WoW) so you will definitely meet people. Just remember that while it's OK to mess up in lower levels and be an idiot, after about level 25 if you constantly mess up, do stupid stuff, rude, etc, word will get out about you and you'll quickly be hated by the server. Of course you're consistently awesome or even just good positive word will get out about you all over the server too.

dang and here i was eyeing the PC version, guess its the 360 version if at all. I just want to pick up and be able to play.

@ Luinil since your last session what was the population like? Thats the deal breaker for me.

thanks Twestern, also how does the expansions affect the game? Do you start on the initial Rise of Zilart pack, and gradually play through to Wings of the Goddess like a regular RPG or are they like severs and most person would just be playing from the Wings of the Goddess area.

PS: anyone else with some idea of how this works your response is appreciated.

I still play ffxi as well. Get the PC version, you can still use the 360 controller with it. As far as the expansions go...they are each add ons to the original game in the way of new areas and missions. New jobs were added through expansions as well. Missions and areas of expansions open up as you progress through, Though some areas are accessible as soon as you install the expansions. The learning curve for the game is steep as said before, but that is a plus as well. the game is very sound game mechanic wise. And the player base as a whole seems to be more mature than WoW by far.

you can play up to about level 25 without any of the expansions but you will hit a solid rock wall at level 25. It is possible to continue without the expansions after 25 but the thing is that everyone goes and levels at an area after 25 that requires the Zilart expansion and you'll be left in the dust.

I would say get one of the PC bundles (not 360 and definitely not the PS2 version) and you'll be good. I know you won't need treasure of Aht Urgan (or whatever it was called) until level 50 and I'm not sure about Wings of the Goddess but I heard that one was high level too. Of all the expansion you definitely want Rise of Zilart and Chains of Promathia though. The others can wait a while but I really wouldn't (but that's just me).

And the reason why you want the PC version is because you have to have access to a keyboard. People get by without one but not being able to type is a huge disadvantage. You're pretty worthless if you can't communicate and trying to communicate with the auto translator through a controller is a pain in the ass.  As an added bonus you can use a controller and keyboard at the same time on the PC version.

One more thing that makes the PC version better is the windower and its macros.  While it techinically is against the terms of service to use the windower, it is a Godsend and the things you can do with macros make it so good.  As long as you never come out and say "Hey!  I use the windower" you'll never get banned for it.

Who needs a whm in exp pt?????? its all about the RDM, and BRD
I still play it, I'm on asura server with 7 75s and 8th one pretty soon(bst68). I don't invite whm to exp pt if there are absolutely no rdm around.



I'm still trying to break my record of 266 exp chains, while someone I know have a record close to 600. butt hurts after sitting for 3hrs none stop chainning :p

I don't think I understood a word of that.

Okay maybe the 2nd sentence, but the rest is gibberish.

I wouldn't worry about the population. I don't know what the numbers are anymore, but I'm sure there are at least a few hundred thousand people still playing (peak was about 600k). Those are spread across 30+ servers, so if numbers ever start to slip on some or all of them they can merge servers to regain any population they want on a world.

There isn't too much of a learning curve to worry about either. You start out slow on your own and gradually move into parties, which then grow more complex. Since everything in the game is done with other people, there'll always be someone to guide you along.

As for whether it's worth it, I'd say it was one of the greatest gaming experiences I've ever had. I suppose things might be different for someone starting today and jumping into the midst of thousands of experienced players and an established world, but I'll bet most of the sense of wonder is still there to find. Even though I loved it from the start, the game is definitely much improved over what it was through hundreds of gradual tweaks and additions put in over the years.