Originally posted by k11keeper

Two, that hat, the "Destrier Beret", will make leveling from 1-30 that much easier then it already is for newcomers.

See, that worries me. I started playing FFXI when it was first released in North America, and played for about two years. It was an oldschool MMORPG in which everything was difficult and you HAD to rely on other people to level up, get equipment, make money, or do anything really other than acquire summons or solo on BST (which was hugely time-consuming).

I've thought about coming back, but I keep hearing it's easy to level up now, you don't even need a group, etc. That was the best part of FFXI, in my opinion. The game was hard, you were forced to team up with other people, and this created a real sense of community, as well as accomplishment when you finally mastered some difficult facet of the game. Also, high-level players could really help out low-level ones, as opposed to a game like WoW where everyone is funneled down a certain path with others of exactly the same level at all times.

I dunno. I'd like to give the game another go, but if it's no longer true to its old-school roots, I don't see the point.

Originally posted by DoktorTeufel

Originally posted by k11keeper

Two, that hat, the "Destrier Beret", will make leveling from 1-30 that much easier then it already is for newcomers.

 

See, that worries me. I started playing FFXI when it was first released in North America, and played for about two years. It was an oldschool MMORPG in which everything was difficult and you HAD to rely on other people to level up, get equipment, make money, or do anything really other than acquire summons or solo on BST (which was hugely time-consuming).

 

I've thought about coming back, but I keep hearing it's easy to level up now, you don't even need a group, etc. That was the best part of FFXI, in my opinion. The game was hard, you were forced to team up with other people, and this created a real sense of community, as well as accomplishment when you finally mastered some difficult facet of the game. Also, high-level players could really help out low-level ones, as opposed to a game like WoW where everyone is funneled down a certain path with others of exactly the same level at all times.

 

I dunno. I'd like to give the game another go, but if it's no longer true to its old-school roots, I don't see the point.

From level 20 to almost 30 I was helped to level up by (level synched) linkshell members. And from 10 to 20 I was duo-ing with another player of my level. I reactivated yesterday (still level 30) and I don't think it's going to be half as easy now on my own. I suppose if I still had a linkshell they'd take me to abyssea to powerlevel me, but I read somewhere that doing that nets you a gimped char with high level but abysmal skill levels. Never been there myself though.

I've been contemplating buying the new ultimate collection and just starting over completely from scratch.  A few things are holding me back though. 

1.  Server choice - so hard to decide which server to roll my character on

2.  I've done all the beginning part of the game a million times already on my old account, not really looking forward to doing it again, UNLESS I can blow past it really fast with a nice static LS to help or to do it with.

3.  Having to get used to the controls and macro system, AGAIN, and having to wait for the 2nd of the month so I don't get billed twice or ripped off of time due to their odd, antiquated billing system.

3.  I just need a good group of people to play with, but every time I join an LS of late, everyone is off doing their own thing or not logging on.  Had the same issue with playing Vanguard. 

Anyway, I'm sure I'll grab the collection anyway, at some point, as I get nostalgic memories of FFXI from time to time drawing me back.  Plus, it's going to be awhile before SWTOR hits and I'll need something to fill the MMO gap soon for the late summer months if Rift doesn't keep me occupied.

Originally posted by elocke

I've been contemplating buying the new ultimate collection and just starting over completely from scratch.  A few things are holding me back though. 

1.  Server choice - so hard to decide which server to roll my character on

2.  I've done all the beginning part of the game a million times already on my old account, not really looking forward to doing it again, UNLESS I can blow past it really fast with a nice static LS to help or to do it with.

3.  Having to get used to the controls and macro system, AGAIN, and having to wait for the 2nd of the month so I don't get billed twice or ripped off of time due to their odd, antiquated billing system.

3.  I just need a good group of people to play with, but every time I join an LS of late, everyone is off doing their own thing or not logging on.  Had the same issue with playing Vanguard. 

Anyway, I'm sure I'll grab the collection anyway, at some point, as I get nostalgic memories of FFXI from time to time drawing me back.  Plus, it's going to be awhile before SWTOR hits and I'll need something to fill the MMO gap soon for the late summer months if Rift doesn't keep me occupied.

1. Pick Pheonix or Asura. Both have a steady 2400+ on at all times, and are very active.

2. The beginning is pretty fast, but the worst thing is travel. Traveling in the game is already incredibly slow which is multiplied by not having a chocobo or outpost warps. But seriously, soloing from 1-18 takes about 5-7 hours... it's even faster than WoW.

3. Use a controller. The controls in the game are OK with a controller, and don't take long to get used to. As far as the billing goes, it's absolutely horrible. I cancelled my content ID yesterday to ensure I don't get billed at the end of my trial and it completely cancelled my play period. Horrible design.

4. Join Reformation on Phoenix. I've never been in a more actively involved group in my entire life of MMOs. It was prety incredible actually.

I hope this helps. I'm back to WoW (again FFS) just because FFXI has so few abilities and the fact that me canceling the content ID deleted my free trial. The game has awesome music, awesome classes, and a community that makes WoW's look like a piece of trash, but its age is really starting to show.

GOOD LUCK!

That sounds like a great Idea. I have been trying to figure out what to play and i would be very down with that. I love the Idea of hanging out and actually playing an MMO for the fun of it and like you said shooting shit and having a fun time along the way. Look me up on XFire under the same name julianfrostt i would  love to join. !!! 

Gonna have to wait till the 2nd of July now.  Stupid billing system.

Here's just some of what we've been doing over at Reformation LS on Phoenix..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpLwBVJ8I0o

Originally posted by raystantz

Here's just some of what we've been doing over at Reformation LS on Phoenix..

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpLwBVJ8I0o

Awww I envy you. I've only partied once since I started.

Ok, this is seriously making me consider giving this game another try. I'm gonna be out of town for about a week but once I get back I think I'm gonna resub.

Originally posted by raystantz

Here's just some of what we've been doing over at Reformation LS on Phoenix..

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpLwBVJ8I0o

By the way, where did you get that kickass version of Ronfaure?

Are people still playing this together? I'm thinking about giving this a whirl with my gf. We would be duo but I love big crazy parties, they are the best.

I've never played FFXI so we are complete nubs, but I've always heard good things about it.

I'd be interested in joining you. I played a long time ago and found it pretty boring, with the slow combat, etc; but I also never made it past the first few levels, so I'd imagine it gets better.

Server is Titan?

Originally posted by raystantz

Here's just some of what we've been doing over at Reformation LS on Phoenix..

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpLwBVJ8I0o

Ahhh, Altepa beetle parties. Those are always fun :).

And Garlaige parties! :O

I think I might have to level a lower-leveled job and get to doing some of that. Had my first taste of Abyssea the other night and was there for a little over an hour.

Despite all the hype about how "incredible", "amazing" and "awesome" it is... I'm not impressed. At all.

In fact, having now experienced it, I think it's pretty damn lame.

It's chaotic, everyone's all over the place. No strategy. No coordination. Just clumps of people running off and killing random mobs. I got more xp for someone opening a treasure chest (over 1k xp each time) than for actually killing a mob, the chests seemed to appear 1 or 2 at a time every 5 minutes or so. From what I've seen when I asked about it... my experience, with very little variation, is pretty much what Abyssea's all about.

Characters in their 30s standing around being power-leveled....

In fact.. it's pretty much a power-leveler's wet-dream, which is probably why the best thing anyone can ever seem to say about it is "how fast you level". 

Extremely sad. That some long-time players have told me "This is what FFXI should have been all along" is even more sad.

Give me old-school FFXI parties any day over this crap.

Is this really what the grand adventure that is/was FFXI has been reduced to? Really?

Yep, we are still together.. growing every day.

Are you on Phoenix now or still Titan? I would join if your on Phoenix

Well once SE finalizes the new payment plans, I should be starting close to next month. It has been more than a long time since I last played maybe 2 years. I played for 6-7 years starting when it was released on PC back in 2003. This LS sounds very engaging, enough for me to return, hopefully I will have a good time.

Hello all!
 
I played FFXI for a brief stint (possibly 7 months) back in '06, and while I had when I could find a team to play with, I found that XI wasn't for me.  It didn't help that I had a convoluted payment method (giving lunch money to a friend so her dad could pay via credit card) and that said friend ditched me a bunch during my early-game development.

I've been reading over the thread, and I'd love to jump in and give XI another go! :D

I won't have the ability to do so until the beginning of August, but I'll definitely shoot a tell to someone in the LS when I manage to get on. [:

Still waiting to see if  the Linkshell is active and on Phoenix. Installing right now.

Originally posted by raystantz

Here's just some of what we've been doing over at Reformation LS on Phoenix..

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpLwBVJ8I0o

Dude no gear swaps for your lvl 30 whm!? gimp.

jk. :)

It's nice to see some people still enjoy the "old ways". I miss how my favorite game used to be. But it's differen't now, and differen't isn't necessarily worse.

This game is the best MMO on the market for story, depth, ppl who love math, and community.

Very interested in joining..still active?