I quit WoW last month after playing it for nearly a year, and while looking for a new game two caught my attention. AO and FFXI, since they are described as heavily PVE based games, which I like. I am going to download both free trials to help me decide, but anyone care to share which they think is better?

 Anarchy Online? The majority of that game is F2P now, with only an expansion or two exempt from that.

FFXI is pretty content heavy, but it's also a very social MMO and requires you to group constantly if you want to make progress. 

Other features of FFXI include the now-awkward Numpad control in the PC version (I played on 360 so I never had to deal) which turns some players off and the turn-based esque combat of FFXII with less a less streamlined interface and slightly slower combat due to it being an MMO.

I personally could never get into FF games dunno why, i even tried ffXl but the controls were way too ackward. Anarchy is going to be getting a graphics upgrade i think next month plus ive always heard good things about it so i would go with that. Thing is ffXl is gonna die once 14 comes out and both games already have very low populations so you wont be able to enjoy the games to the fullest.

I really like FFXI but it can be quite slow in the early levels of play.  After lvl 10 its a group heavy game, but groups are reasonably easy to find.  The controls are akward, however there is a compact keyboard setting which lets you use wasd and is similar to most mmos control scheme.

I liked AO. but could never get into it.

Originally posted by AlysenMinase

I quit WoW last month after playing it for nearly a year, and while looking for a new game two caught my attention. AO and FFXI, since they are described as heavily PVE based games, which I like. I am going to download both free trials to help me decide, but anyone care to share which they think is better?

Nexer tried AO, but FFXI is probably one of the best MMOs ever made.  Like the previous poster stated its group heavy after level 10.   Last time I played only job that could solo efficiently was a beastmaster, but its been almost 5 years since I last played it.  

Depending on how AO does their RMT its difficult for any person to suggest picking a F2P over P2P.    All my past F2P experiences tell me that those games are junk unless you play 8+ hours a day or spend more per month than a P2P game.

I've never played FFXI, so  I can't speak to that...

AO is a great game IMO though. The core game is F2P so you can download it and level all the way up to level 200 (known as a Froob). You just won't have any access to any of the expansions except for Notum Wars. This will make leveling to level 200 a very long and grindy process. The core game of AO has it's faults, but for the most part it is a very solid game with many years of content. I ended up subscribing to AO after being a Froob for a while, but you could literally spend years playing the game without upgrading. The expansions that you won't get as a Froob are: Shadowlands, Alien Invasion, Lost Eden, and Legacy of Xan. As a Froob you get access to the original Rubi-Ka content and the content from the Notum Wars expansion. It won't hurt to try it out at least... 8)

Not making it any easier since you all gave good reasons and it's basically like half and half ^.^; I guess I'll play the free trial of XI and just download AO and see which I prefer.

Originally posted by Gabby-air

I personally could never get into FF games dunno why, i even tried ffXl but the controls were way too ackward. Anarchy is going to be getting a graphics upgrade i think next month plus ive always heard good things about it so i would go with that. Thing is ffXl is gonna die once 14 comes out and both games already have very low populations so you wont be able to enjoy the games to the fullest.

I sure hope you are joking ffxi still has 500k+ subs and has for 4+ years.   Although, I do agree that FFXI will die after the release of FFIV.

I really doubt it has 500k+ subs...

Originally posted by Gabby-air

I really doubt it has 500k+ subs...

Agreed. No way in hell. They wouldn't keep making price drops 2 times a year if they had 500k+ subs. 

FFXI veteran here.. Played off an on since release. 

FFXI was designed with the PS2 console in mind. Therefore, if you want to get the most out of the controls. I suggest using a gamepad. Its designed to work that way. I always loved playing it because I'm a console gamer first, pc gamer 2nd.. so it was natural for me. Thats why it was easy to port to 360, due to it being designed for the console gamer first. You can play it with a keyboard, but trust me.. its much easier with a controller. 

FFXI is also not turned based. The combat is slower paced, but your abilities have cooldowns just like other MMO's they just work slightly differently. I enjoy the combat in a group in FFXI alot more than I do in other MMOs because it requires constant attention.. if you don't pay attention.. someone will die.

FFXI was extremely group based, and for alot of the upper end content it still is. However, they introduced fields of valor a while back that allows you to solo when you cannot find a group. Alot of people take advantage of it now, and you also have things like campaign at upper levels to assist with solo play. Grouping is alot more fun however, and I would take advantage of grouping when you have the time. You can also spend time crafting, which is almost a game in itself. 

FFXI is probably the best storydriven MMO there is. LOTRO is a distant 2nd imo. Square Enix are masters of RPG storytelling, and they do it just as well in FFXI. 

FFXI is still thriving, and has literally never dropped below 500k subs since its inception. I do not believe FFXI will be dead when FF14 releases, because from everything I have read.. FF14 is going to be a very different game and cater to a more casual/solo crowd. FF11 will then be the only "old school" game left.. and I feel it will thrive because of that fact.

The community is also stellar for the most part.

I tried AO 3 times, and I couldn't get past the laggyness and the choppy combat. Take that for what its worth.

FFXI is a hard game to get into, but its worth it once you get over the hump.

Originally posted by AlysenMinase

Not making it any easier since you all gave good reasons and it's basically like half and half ^.^; I guess I'll play the free trial of XI and just download AO and see which I prefer.

If either of those bore you, I'm sure two attractive people like yourself and I can find plenty of things to keep us occupied.

Just sayin

If my options were between AO and FFXI I would do this...

Play Fallen Earth and wait for Final Fantasy XIV to come out next year.

You will start FFXI and probably wont see all of the content it has to offer for years to come. You probably wont reach cap until AT LEAST 6 months if you play hardcore but probably much longer. I love FFXI, I think its one of the best MMOs ever made BUT at this point in time you are better off waiting for XIV to come, it will most likely be a far superior game and you will drop XI when you arent even half way through the content to go to XIV.

Also, the last time I played was about 6 months ago and several servers were locked due to overpopulation and there were many others servers that were full of people in even newbie areas. This game most certainly still has roughly 500k subs, its not a rumor and never has been.

PS - Im vegan too!

Originally posted by raystantz

FFXI veteran here.. Played off an on since release. 

I played the Vana'diel Collection for a while.

FFXI was designed with the PS2 console in mind. Therefore, if you want to get the most out of the controls. I suggest using a gamepad. Its designed to work that way. I always loved playing it because I'm a console gamer first, pc gamer 2nd.. so it was natural for me. Thats why it was easy to port to 360, due to it being designed for the console gamer first. You can play it with a keyboard, but trust me.. its much easier with a controller. 

Agreed. On PC it's just awkward.

FFXI is also not turned based.

If this was aimed at me, I specifically said something along the lines of quasi-turn-based similar to FFXII.

The combat is slower paced, but your abilities have cooldowns just like other MMO's they just work slightly differently. I enjoy the combat in a group in FFXI alot more than I do in other MMOs because it requires constant attention.. if you don't pay attention.. someone will die.

Most games I've played work that way. Then again, I don't play mainstream MMOs often.

FFXI was extremely group based, and for alot of the upper end content it still is. However, they introduced fields of valor a while back that allows you to solo when you cannot find a group. Alot of people take advantage of it now, and you also have things like campaign at upper levels to assist with solo play. Grouping is alot more fun however, and I would take advantage of grouping when you have the time. You can also spend time crafting, which is almost a game in itself. 

Not really a justification. I found it irritating to always have to group and fields of valor wasn't a good substitute. As much as I love community based MMOs, I don't like having it forced on me. 

FFXI is probably the best storydriven MMO there is. LOTRO is a distant 2nd imo. Square Enix are masters of RPG storytelling, and they do it just as well in FFXI. 

This is true. SE hasn't failed us yet in that sense...well...FFIII.

FFXI is still thriving, and has literally never dropped below 500k subs since its inception.

Source or it didn't happen.

I do not believe FFXI will be dead when FF14 releases, because from everything I have read.. FF14 is going to be a very different game and cater to a more casual/solo crowd. FF11 will then be the only "old school" game left.. and I feel it will thrive because of that fact.

I still don't see why everyone thinks it'll die due to FFXIV. The crowd has changed since FFXI has been released. FFXI players probably won't have a huge percentage migrating.

On another note, that "only old-school game left" part is bullcrap. As long as UO and EQ are still kicking, FFXI won't be the only one. It may be the only unaltered old-school game left, but it won't be the only one.

The community is also stellar for the most part.

It is, but as most games of it's focus, it has to be. The game fails if the community does. Everyone who doesn't agree with the game falls out of it eventually.

I tried AO 3 times, and I couldn't get past the laggyness and the choppy combat. Take that for what its worth.

I never experienced that, thought I couldn't get into it for other reasons yet.

FFXI is a hard game to get into, but its worth it once you get over the hump.

Once you have a guild, it gets easier. =]

Originally posted by johnmatthais

Originally posted by raystantz

FFXI veteran here.. Played off an on since release. 

I played the Vana'diel Collection for a while.

FFXI was designed with the PS2 console in mind. Therefore, if you want to get the most out of the controls. I suggest using a gamepad. Its designed to work that way. I always loved playing it because I'm a console gamer first, pc gamer 2nd.. so it was natural for me. Thats why it was easy to port to 360, due to it being designed for the console gamer first. You can play it with a keyboard, but trust me.. its much easier with a controller. 

Agreed. On PC it's just awkward.

FFXI is also not turned based.

If this was aimed at me, I specifically said something along the lines of quasi-turn-based similar to FFXII.

The combat is slower paced, but your abilities have cooldowns just like other MMO's they just work slightly differently. I enjoy the combat in a group in FFXI alot more than I do in other MMOs because it requires constant attention.. if you don't pay attention.. someone will die.

Most games I've played work that way. Then again, I don't play mainstream MMOs often.

FFXI was extremely group based, and for alot of the upper end content it still is. However, they introduced fields of valor a while back that allows you to solo when you cannot find a group. Alot of people take advantage of it now, and you also have things like campaign at upper levels to assist with solo play. Grouping is alot more fun however, and I would take advantage of grouping when you have the time. You can also spend time crafting, which is almost a game in itself. 

Not really a justification. I found it irritating to always have to group and fields of valor wasn't a good substitute. As much as I love community based MMOs, I don't like having it forced on me. 

FFXI is probably the best storydriven MMO there is. LOTRO is a distant 2nd imo. Square Enix are masters of RPG storytelling, and they do it just as well in FFXI. 

This is true. SE hasn't failed us yet in that sense...well...FFIII.

FFXI is still thriving, and has literally never dropped below 500k subs since its inception.

Source or it didn't happen.

I do not believe FFXI will be dead when FF14 releases, because from everything I have read.. FF14 is going to be a very different game and cater to a more casual/solo crowd. FF11 will then be the only "old school" game left.. and I feel it will thrive because of that fact.

I still don't see why everyone thinks it'll die due to FFXIV. The crowd has changed since FFXI has been released. FFXI players probably won't have a huge percentage migrating.

On another note, that "only old-school game left" part is bullcrap. As long as UO and EQ are still kicking, FFXI won't be the only one. It may be the only unaltered old-school game left, but it won't be the only one.

The community is also stellar for the most part.

It is, but as most games of it's focus, it has to be. The game fails if the community does. Everyone who doesn't agree with the game falls out of it eventually.

I tried AO 3 times, and I couldn't get past the laggyness and the choppy combat. Take that for what its worth.

I never experienced that, thought I couldn't get into it for other reasons yet.

FFXI is a hard game to get into, but its worth it once you get over the hump.

Once you have a guild, it gets easier. =]

 Nah it wasn't so much directed at you.. just wanted to make it clear since almost all other FF games are and someone who has never played before might think thats what they will get with 11.

The forced grouping thing I understand is something some people love, and some people hate. I myself, loved it at first and slowly grew to be annoyed by it. Not because I didn't want to group.. but because I couldn't ever find one. So for me.. fields of valor and such fills that gap just fine. If I just didn't LIKE to group, then it would be more difficult to swallow. What I don't get is how all of a sudden everybody just wants to play by themselves, all the time. Why play an MMO? Thats not directed at you, just in general. I don't agree that grouping should be "forced" to the point of FFXI, but I do think it should be MORE rewarding to group than it is to Solo, simply because of the effort involved in forming a group over just doing it solo. 

UO and EQ are still kicking, but they are FAR from the same games they were when I would have considered them "OLD SCHOOL". The reason I said FFXI was the last one left, is because its the only one who at its core has the same style of play. Fields of Valor and campaign and level sync.. don't change that. EQ however, you can just about solo to level cap now. Not sure about UO, but if it was the same.. everyone would still be playing it.

It should be known that I left FFXI for WoW, and did find it refreshing to be able to Solo.. but shortly after found myself wishing I could get in a 6 man group with a bunch of people I don't know and knock the snot out of some rabbits.

oh, and from what I have researched. It may have changed slightly, but as of 2008 there were 500k.. it probably fluctuates a tiny bit.. but its been pretty close to that since release. It probably goes down a little when a new game comes out... source mmogchart and ffxi wiki.

Originally posted by thinktank001

Originally posted by Gabby-air

I personally could never get into FF games dunno why, i even tried ffXl but the controls were way too ackward. Anarchy is going to be getting a graphics upgrade i think next month plus ive always heard good things about it so i would go with that. Thing is ffXl is gonna die once 14 comes out and both games already have very low populations so you wont be able to enjoy the games to the fullest.

 

I sure hope you are joking ffxi still has 500k+ subs and has for 4+ years.   Although, I do agree that FFXI will die after the release of FFIV.

I don't really understand why people are assuming this game will "die" after XIV is released.  It's going to be a simliar, yet very different designed game based purely off what the devs are saying.  That being said, everyone is assuming that it will be the next greatest thing since sliced bread (from the FF universe, respectively) but never take into consideration that their "modernization" could be the very downfall of the game and it turns out to be only a fragment of what XI provides.

Either way, XI isn't going anywhere and I'm sure more than enough people who are playing won't move, or will try XIV but stick to their established characters.

That being said, FFXI is a very long term type of game requiring a lot of commitment to progress, though it's less oppressive than it used to be.  There are lots of new players on the Asura server, and it's really packed.  If you try the trial, make sure you pick a more populated server as it will be easier to find parties, though most in general have decent populations.

Originally posted by raystantz

 Nah it wasn't so much directed at you.. just wanted to make it clear since almost all other FF games are and someone who has never played before might think thats what they will get with 11.

The forced grouping thing I understand is something some people love, and some people hate.

I hate it simply for the fact that sometimes grouping isn't a viable option for a player. I end up having a lot of days with a few small sessions of a game rather than one large one.

I myself, loved it at first and slowly grew to be annoyed by it. Not because I didn't want to group.. but because I couldn't ever find one.

That's another reason.

So for me.. fields of valor and such fills that gap just fine.

I found it to be group work aimed at the solo player for a much less substantial reward than group work.

If I just didn't LIKE to group, then it would be more difficult to swallow.

Yeah, it would be.

What I don't get is how all of a sudden everybody just wants to play by themselves, all the time.

Why do you think SW: ToR is gauged to be a huge success? Haha. I hate the idea. Won't see me playing it. Nonetheless, it's how people are now.

Why play an MMO?

Exactly, but I moved to A Tale In the Desert. It's a community-based game. It's exactly what I wanted. Full interaction with other players without the need to constantly group with them. Grouping limits you to a set of people, imo, which in my opinion is like playing a lobby-based game except where all the lobbies can see each other and interact, but helping won't benefit either.

Thats not directed at you, just in general. I don't agree that grouping should be "forced" to the point of FFXI, but I do think it should be MORE rewarding to group than it is to Solo, simply because of the effort involved in forming a group over just doing it solo. 

It should be more rewarding, but it shouldn't be so bluntly more rewarding to the point of soloing being completely useless.

UO and EQ are still kicking, but they are FAR from the same games they were when I would have considered them "OLD SCHOOL". The reason I said FFXI was the last one left, is because its the only one who at its core has the same style of play. Fields of Valor and campaign and level sync.. don't change that. EQ however, you can just about solo to level cap now. Not sure about UO, but if it was the same.. everyone would still be playing it.

I understand that view. I was just stating that they're still there. 

I really should have stated Meridian 59, Underlight, Clan Lord and The Realm Online. Now THOSE are old-school. ;)

It should be known that I left FFXI for WoW, and did find it refreshing to be able to Solo.. but shortly after found myself wishing I could get in a 6 man group with a bunch of people I don't know and knock the snot out of some rabbits.

Lol is all I have to say to this.

 

Originally posted by johnmatthais

Originally posted by raystantz

 Nah it wasn't so much directed at you.. just wanted to make it clear since almost all other FF games are and someone who has never played before might think thats what they will get with 11.

The forced grouping thing I understand is something some people love, and some people hate.

I hate it simply for the fact that sometimes grouping isn't a viable option for a player. I end up having a lot of days with a few small sessions of a game rather than one large one.

I myself, loved it at first and slowly grew to be annoyed by it. Not because I didn't want to group.. but because I couldn't ever find one.

That's another reason.

So for me.. fields of valor and such fills that gap just fine.

I found it to be group work aimed at the solo player for a much less substantial reward than group work.

If I just didn't LIKE to group, then it would be more difficult to swallow.

Yeah, it would be.

What I don't get is how all of a sudden everybody just wants to play by themselves, all the time.

Why do you think SW: ToR is gauged to be a huge success? Haha. I hate the idea. Won't see me playing it. Nonetheless, it's how people are now.

Why play an MMO?

Exactly, but I moved to A Tale In the Desert. It's a community-based game. It's exactly what I wanted. Full interaction with other players without the need to constantly group with them. Grouping limits you to a set of people, imo, which in my opinion is like playing a lobby-based game except where all the lobbies can see each other and interact, but helping won't benefit either.

Thats not directed at you, just in general. I don't agree that grouping should be "forced" to the point of FFXI, but I do think it should be MORE rewarding to group than it is to Solo, simply because of the effort involved in forming a group over just doing it solo. 

It should be more rewarding, but it shouldn't be so bluntly more rewarding to the point of soloing being completely useless.

UO and EQ are still kicking, but they are FAR from the same games they were when I would have considered them "OLD SCHOOL". The reason I said FFXI was the last one left, is because its the only one who at its core has the same style of play. Fields of Valor and campaign and level sync.. don't change that. EQ however, you can just about solo to level cap now. Not sure about UO, but if it was the same.. everyone would still be playing it.

I understand that view. I was just stating that they're still there. 

I really should have stated Meridian 59, Underlight, Clan Lord and The Realm Online. Now THOSE are old-school. ;)

It should be known that I left FFXI for WoW, and did find it refreshing to be able to Solo.. but shortly after found myself wishing I could get in a 6 man group with a bunch of people I don't know and knock the snot out of some rabbits.

Lol is all I have to say to this.

 

 

Yeah I got sucked into the Hype about a year after it came out. All my friends at work played it and boasted it for its awesome PVP which at the time FFXI didn't have that much of. 

I will not be playing SW:TOR more because I just can't get into games based on IPs from other forms of entertainment outside of gaming.. ie movies. 

I will play FFXIV but how long I last really depends on how much they take from FFXI and how little they take from WoW.

As far as the op is concerned.. try the FFXI and AO trials and see what you like. FFXI doesn't really shine until after level 10, and most people who quit never make it that far.

FFXI doesn't really shine until after level 10, and most people who quit never make it that far.

Truer words were never spoken.

As a concept, Anarchy Online is great.  But its VERY old now and shows its age, and not just in the graphics.  Its a shame that FC are not doing an Anarchy Online 2 using the AOC engine, rather than trying to splice in some of the AOC engine with updated water graphics, shadows and character graphics on a VERY dated system.  The whole lot needs to start from fresh using the good bits of the game (like the implant system)

I may be wrong, but there is very little well written quest chains. It is one of the old school "Grind to level so you can advance to the next area" kind of games.