Originally posted by grapevine

Originally posted by Loktofeit

Originally posted by geldonyetich

Since we seem to be doing a lot of these review threads, there you have it, another metacritic aggregate with a positive score.

http://www.vandal.net/analisis/pc/final-fantasy-xiv-online/10902

Yeap, both Vandal Online and Cheat Code Central gave positve reviews.

 

Cheat Code recommned it be avoided, if you read the review.  They weren't positve.  However they did bizarrely give it a high score, that didn't refect the content of their review.

 

Never heard of Vandal, but I guess certain people have to find some unknown reviewer to find anything positive.

Cheat Code Central recommended to not rush into the game with high expectations.  Rather to watch it, because it has a lot of potential to become something awesome.  Hence the high score.

Originally posted by kelarcanus

So you people honestly think that thing game is so bad? It's only been officially out for two weeks... Lets all take a little remembering trip down MMO history lane, shall we?

 

At launch, some of you honestly think that FFXIV is really worse than:

1. Dark and Light

God no.   But then this game never really got better, so uh...do we really want to be making this comparison?

2. Darkfall

See above.

3. Mortal Online

See above.

4. Vanguard

No, and this game turned out to be a pretty decent game over time.  Sadly it had been marred by such a horrific launch, that it never regained the spotlight.

5. Autoassault

Uh, this one died.  Are you saying FF14 will die?

6. Tabula Rasa

See above.

7. Everquest 2

Another game that had a spectacularly bad launch.  Unlike Vanguard though it bounced back relatively well and is enjoying a moderate amount of success.  I'd hope actually that FF14 ends up like this.

8. Age of Conan

Same as above.

9. World of Warcraft

World of Warcraft did suffer some incredibily significant problems when it launched.  However there is a large difference between it and FF14 at this point; Blizzard was apologetic for the problems.  They reimbursed people for their lost time and other such reprimands.  As far as I can tell, which is nothing considering the utter lack of any sort of communication from S-E, is that the developers flat out don't care that FF14 has problems.

10. Insert pretty much any other MMO here

All in all, FF14 didn't really have a bad launch at all.  It hasn't had any signiciant server outtages, it is relatively bug free, and there is stuff to do all around if you want to find it.  I think that people calling it a bad launch, just plain don't like the game.  Which is just fine, there is no accounting for taste and there never should be.

Originally posted by seabeast

Originally posted by TsukieU

Originally posted by seabeast

Originally posted by TsukieU

It's worth noting that this is all speculation.  There has been no confirmation from any reliable source on this since it happened and is all just rumor at this point.

 

 Thats what I been telling you all, its a conspiracy to "get the development team". First, they pay off all the gaming review sites then they pay players to say its bad then the market crashes...why can you all see it?

 

Hyperbole is fun isn't it?

The market didn't crash, it dropped a relatively small amount for a small length of time before recovering.  All of this reporting on the subject is all specualtion WHY that drop happened.  No one really knows, and this is just their best guess.

 lol, OK, now speculation on the game reviews by proffesional game sites is...What? Oh I remember now, all the said game review sites, for whatever reason, decided to take  this good game and make it look bad. Then, the  conspiracy...right?

I never even mentioned the reviews of the game.  This thread doesn't even mention the reviews of this game....the only one talking about reviews of this game is you.

All I was saying is that this isn't reliable news.  All it is, is internet journalists speculating why a sudden dip in Square Enix stock might have happened.  There has never been any confirmation or even anything resembling confirmation on this subject, just guessing.

Originally posted by seabeast

Originally posted by TsukieU

It's worth noting that this is all speculation.  There has been no confirmation from any reliable source on this since it happened and is all just rumor at this point.

 

 Thats what I been telling you all, its a conspiracy to "get the development team". First, they pay off all the gaming review sites then they pay players to say its bad then the market crashes...why can you all see it?

Hyperbole is fun isn't it?

The market didn't crash, it dropped a relatively small amount for a small length of time before recovering.  All of this reporting on the subject is all specualtion WHY that drop happened.  No one really knows, and this is just their best guess.

Originally posted by geldonyetich

Originally posted by seabeast

Originally posted by Rockgod99

Cool deal... I'll scoop by gamestop on my way home from work tomorrow thanks guys.

Oh its 19.99 used at Gamestop, its a good deal.

 NO don't, if you wait a couple of weeks it will be on the $10 rack.

As if GameStop deals in used PC gamers.

Amazon cut the price a bit, but GameStop is still selling it at full price.

They are talking about Lost Oddessy.

It's worth noting that this is all speculation.  There has been no confirmation from any reliable source on this since it happened and is all just rumor at this point.

Originally posted by Miles-Prower

Originally posted by TsukieU

Originally posted by Stevon

I don't think there's any doubt that FFXIV is going to go down in history as one of the biggest MMO dissapointments/flops ever.

 

You have to set things in perspectives.  This isn't a mom and pop shop MMO, this is from Square and it's Final Fantasy.   It was hyped to no end and expectations were huge.  That just serves to make the dissapointment so much greater.   They didn't just not hit the mark, they missed the mark as if they were shooting in the other direction.

 

FFXIV RIP.  Watch for it to take first place though in all of the various "greatest letdowns of the year" surveys.

 

It's hyperbole like this that prevents any sort of meaningful discussion on these forums.

FF14 isn't a failure, it isn't not a failure either.  There is no real way to tell which direction the wind will blow until the first month runs out, I think we all learned that one from Age of Conan.

As for greatest let down of the year?  Neh, I rather quite like it...and there have been larger bombs.

I'm not saying either of you are wrong, but deflecting the comment with a "Wait and see" argument isn't helping anything =P. First it was "It's Beta. Give it time". Now it's "It was just released. Give it time."

Hope. That's one thing you and so many others seem to have in droves, I'll give you that.

 

~Miles "Tails" Prower out! Catch me if you can!

Actually all I was saying was saying is it's impossible to know whether the game will be a success or failure until after the free month is up.

Saying it's a failure or a success at this point is premature, like in Age of Conan...sold almost a million units, but retained only about 100,000 beyond the first month.

Originally posted by Stevon

I don't think there's any doubt that FFXIV is going to go down in history as one of the biggest MMO dissapointments/flops ever.

 

You have to set things in perspectives.  This isn't a mom and pop shop MMO, this is from Square and it's Final Fantasy.   It was hyped to no end and expectations were huge.  That just serves to make the dissapointment so much greater.   They didn't just not hit the mark, they missed the mark as if they were shooting in the other direction.

 

FFXIV RIP.  Watch for it to take first place though in all of the various "greatest letdowns of the year" surveys.

It's hyperbole like this that prevents any sort of meaningful discussion on these forums.

FF14 isn't a failure, it isn't not a failure either.  There is no real way to tell which direction the wind will blow until the first month runs out, I think we all learned that one from Age of Conan.

As for greatest let down of the year?  Neh, I rather quite like it...and there have been larger bombs.

Originally posted by Miles-Prower

The fact that EVE Online is #1 boggles my mind.

 

~Miles "Tails" Prower out! Catch me if you can!

It because the list has no actual bearing in reality to speak of popularity.

Someone in this thread said it best...it's like a lamp post to a drunk, great to lean on, but not really meant to shed light on anything.

Originally posted by Unlight

Originally posted by TsukieU

Originally posted by Wiezard

Originally posted by TsukieU

It baffles me that people complain that everything is like WOW...then something comes out that is entirely unlike WoW and they complain that it isn't like WoW.

No one is complaining its not like WOW. Being different is not good as long as that different doesn't work. You people need to come up with new lines because this 'not like wow' is getting boring. Its about FFXIV own shortcoming stop bringing WOW into every discussion.

No where in Gamespot or Game trailer review any compairsons were made to WOW.

 

No direct comparisons have been made no.  Though there has been quite a few mentions of, "Why can't I just press I to open my inventory?" and  "The quest system is not something to be desired by current MMO standards".  It's not a far leap to discern that they are talking about WoW.

Odd.  I took it to mean they were talking about just about every other MMO in existence.  I can't recall the last time I wasn't able to open my inventory with anything more than a single keypress.

That's  exactly my point.  Read the initial post.

Originally posted by Shiymmas

Originally posted by TsukieU

Originally posted by unbound55

Originally posted by WSIMike

Originally posted by Kyleran

 

The issues people have, and point out, with FFXIV go beyond the interface.

Not that you're doing so here, Kyleran, but as someone pointed out earlier, though... It seems that people can give a laundry list of issues they have with the game, from interface, to gameplay, to questing and so forth.... and invariably, people defending the game will always ignore everything else and bring it back to "people just don't like that the game has a different interface and want everything to be easy".

It's as though they think intellectual dishonesty is a good defense against any argument.

It's like complaining about an entire dining experience at a restaurant, from the starter salad to the dessert, to the service, to the cleanliness of the establishment... and fans of the restaurant defend it by saying, "Well, maybe you're just not a salad eater and don't like healthy foods."

qft

 

I also see a lot of strawman arguments from many of the people who defend FFXIV.  I've seen some very well reasoned posts and responses by those who don't like the game, who are invariably ignored  while the masses go after someone who points out that the UI sucks.

 

One more time for the slow-witted.  It isn't just because the UI is different.  The UI is simply inferior...it is quite literally a decade+ step backwards in time.  I didn't cancel my preorder after many hours of alpha and beta testing just because of the UI.  Most games have an issue or several...but the games I choose to play are those that I find enjoyable regardless of those issues.  FFXIV (for me) just isn't enjoyable.  By all means disagree with my assessment, but stop arguing nonsense that my only objection is the UI and that the UI is actually okay, I just don't understand it.  The game just isn't fun for me and many others.  If you enjoy the game, in all seriousness, more power to you.  I sincerely hope you enjoy the game.  But stop acting surprised when most of don't.

 

 

Sigh...this is getting repetative....

 

This is what I was talking about if you read a few posts up of people alluding vaguely to things that make the game the beast with six thrice upon it's being.  The reason I chose the UI is because it's the only solid thing that people seem to be complain about that isn't ambigious and nebulous.

Look man, we get it.  You think you've found an issue to really nail down and hammer people on, but the point is that it's one of many.  It's repetative because it's all that you're choosing to see and focus on, pariticularly in this thread.  You're calling everything else "ambiguous and nebulous" all the while failing to realize that they've been thoroughly covered elsewhere.  Is there really a need to re-hash those discussions over and over again when they already exist?  It's not hard to see countless complaints about the lack of content, right down to basic questing, and leves are no counter to that.  If anything - not that you're claiming otherwise - they're more like WoW's dailies, if not even simpler, yet people try to bring WoW in as if its relevant.

 

The whole thing is that in spite of this thread - where you've made it your mission to choose the UI as the basis for your entire argument - there are plenty of others that cover the game's faults far more thoroughly.  Go dive in and read.

Ok you've given me something material to bite into other than the UI.  Leves and how they are pretty much like WoW's Dailies.  I actually agree with this and commented on this in my linkshell chat earlier, I rather quite like it.

It gives me about 2 to 4 hours worth of stuff to do for a day then when I'm done with it I have a few choices.  I can log out for the day and do it again tomorrow, craft a bit, grind a bit, or team up with some friends and do silly stuff together.  I almost always try to go for the latter, it leads to some fun stuff.

Originally posted by acerpg007

I have some few questions about crafting, if you look at the link below that item requires 3 craftings(Armorer, Leatherwork, and Weaver) so If I have all the materials and have the required rank for each crafting. Which one should I use to craft it? The Armorer tool? The Leatherwork Tool? or the Weaver tool? And also, am I required to get all the ranks of that required item or what?

http://ffxiv.yg.com/recipe/bronze-cuirass?id=1265

You would only need to be a 21 Armourer to put it all together.  You need the ancillary professions to make the items necessary.

Originally posted by fyerwall

Originally posted by Wrender

Imagine an MMO where you actually have to EARN your equipment! All my prayers have been answered. I hate these WoW cloned so called new games where everything is practically handed to you with little to no effort whatsoever. Maybe there is hope for the future of MMORPG's after all. Nice to see game companies do still exist that dares to do things different.

Agreed, I loved EQ back in the day as well.

Oh, you meant FFXIV?

 

The thing I always wondered when people talk about 'earning your equipment' is what is the difference?

In some MMOs you have to craft your gear, while in others you have to fight for your gear. Isn't it basically the same thing?

Sure, in some games it may be easier to obtain gear via raids than others, but the same can be said for crafting. It's all relevant to the player I guess.

You nailed it exactly, it's all relevant( I think you meant relative?) to the player.

There is not right or wrong in this sort of scenario, some people prefer to kill things to get things, others prefer to make things to get things.

Originally posted by unbound55

Originally posted by WSIMike

Originally posted by Kyleran

 

The issues people have, and point out, with FFXIV go beyond the interface.

Not that you're doing so here, Kyleran, but as someone pointed out earlier, though... It seems that people can give a laundry list of issues they have with the game, from interface, to gameplay, to questing and so forth.... and invariably, people defending the game will always ignore everything else and bring it back to "people just don't like that the game has a different interface and want everything to be easy".

It's as though they think intellectual dishonesty is a good defense against any argument.

It's like complaining about an entire dining experience at a restaurant, from the starter salad to the dessert, to the service, to the cleanliness of the establishment... and fans of the restaurant defend it by saying, "Well, maybe you're just not a salad eater and don't like healthy foods."

qft

 

I also see a lot of strawman arguments from many of the people who defend FFXIV.  I've seen some very well reasoned posts and responses by those who don't like the game, who are invariably ignored  while the masses go after someone who points out that the UI sucks.

 

One more time for the slow-witted.  It isn't just because the UI is different.  The UI is simply inferior...it is quite literally a decade+ step backwards in time.  I didn't cancel my preorder after many hours of alpha and beta testing just because of the UI.  Most games have an issue or several...but the games I choose to play are those that I find enjoyable regardless of those issues.  FFXIV (for me) just isn't enjoyable.  By all means disagree with my assessment, but stop arguing nonsense that my only objection is the UI and that the UI is actually okay, I just don't understand it.  The game just isn't fun for me and many others.  If you enjoy the game, in all seriousness, more power to you.  I sincerely hope you enjoy the game.  But stop acting surprised when most of don't.

Sigh...this is getting repetative....

This is what I was talking about if you read a few posts up of people alluding vaguely to things that make the game the beast with six thrice upon it's being.  The reason I chose the UI is because it's the only solid thing that people seem to be complain about that isn't ambigious and nebulous.

Originally posted by TsukieU

Originally posted by Shiymmas

Originally posted by fyerwall

Originally posted by TsukieU

Yes.

The game was designed from the ground up for a PC.  The menu system is a holdover from the other 15 or so Final Fantasy games.  Final Fantasy 11 had nearly the exact same interface.

You can try to justify your own inability to adapt to the interface on unitutiveness all you want, but it's not the true reason for your problems.

And as I said, people complain that all MMOs are the same, but when one does something new, they complain that it isn't the same.

 

See what I did there?

It uses nearly the same interface as FFXI because FFXI was designed for the PS2.

FFXIV is a game designed for consoles and built as such. With all the options available in a traditional MMO layout it would have been a nightmare for the console user to preform even half of them on a game pad. That is the reason they stuck with a menu driven system.

As for inability to adapt, thats not it. Anyone can adapt to a system like that. The problem is, why would anyone want to? People have a low tolerance to frustration, and that UI after a few hours becomes more tedious and frustrating than accessible and fun. The point of a UI is to allow you to control game functions while not intruding on overall gameplay. The FFXIV UI intrudes on gameplay as even a simple step can require navigating several menu layers to accomplish. That right there is why everyone complains.

Different is different. Needlessly complicated isn't different, it's just needlessly complicated.

100% agree with fyerwall.

 

I'll add that FFXI's UI never felt nearly as cumbersome as XIV's.  It was much more intuitive all the way around, and simple tasks were still simple.  There's plenty of ex-FFXI players who feel that way as well.  I mean, they've managed to even leave out some simple functionality such as arranging your inventory or fast-scrolling to the bottom of a long list by holding right.  Lots of little things like that just somehow went backwards or got completely left out.

 

Of course, the only thing I've seen that you've done here is to divert the river of issues and problems covered in this review into a narrow channel of "the UI is fine!" vs. "the UI sucks!".  Nice tact and all, but you failed to include 'in my opinion' alongside all your points, and the fact remains that the complaints go far beyond just the UI.

 

$0.02

 

This is what I was talking about if you read a few posts up of people alluding vaguely to things that make the game the beast with six thrice upon it's being.  The reason I chose the UI is because it's the only solid thing that people seem to be complain about that isn't ambigious and nebulous.

Just thought I'd throw this up here again for the post above this one....

Originally posted by Shiymmas

Originally posted by TsukieU

Originally posted by Shiymmas

Originally posted by Birdy88

Originally posted by Robokapp

Originally posted by Wrender

Imagine an MMO where you actually have to EARN your equipment! All my prayers have been answered. I hate these WoW cloned so called new games where everything is practically handed to you with little to no effort whatsoever. Maybe there is hope for the future of MMORPG's after all. Nice to see game companies do still exist that dares to do things different.

 how much are they paying you?

 

you fanboyed every topic down the list this evening.

Hes right though (with this topic at least). if random loot drops and easy end-game routing is all that people care about then this genre will forever be stagnant. 

The irony here is that, after a little while, all of those things that are so hard-earned right now will be so commonplace as to have almost no value whatsoever.  With a system like FFXIV's, all those tradeable armors will become useless for their original owners in time, not to mention their production of other armors to sell or skill on.  Eventually, the market will be flooded with low level, and later, higher level armors to the point that they will cost little more than what they'd vendor for - if that.  A new player in a few months time will be able to completely skip all of the hassle and not really have to even try and "earn" all their equipment at all.  The only exception to this would be items that require a rare material (such as a drop from an NM), but even with those, there will eventually be ample supply for players with a bit more gil than average.  Even then, they can skip all the hassle of actually having to find/camp such an NM.

 

At least with loot drops you'd have to actually go out and fight for them yourself.  IMO, this has a lot to do with why FFXI started tagging items RARE/EX so that players who wanted the best gear would be required to actually earn it themselves.  The bottom-line is; things are only so hard-earned because the game is so new right now.

 

Edit: The huge push towards crafting in this game will only exacerbate the issue given that many, many more people will be crafting than otherwise.

 

In a system such as FF14 everything will eventually have a value, nothing will be completely without worth.  An example of this was that in order to make a level 17 armour, you need the level 9 armour to make it...and to make the level 23 armour you need the level 17 armour.  You are upgrading everything, so there will never be anything that is completely without value.  Another example of this would be in UO, even the crappiest of weapons had a place to be sold.

Personally, I am in favour of this sort of system.

And that's precisely why I said "almost no value".

 

The simple reality is that these things, with time, will lose the incredible value they have now.  It's not to say they won't continue to hold a value and have demand later on, but your level 17 that needs a level 9 armor to make the level 23 armor will still be little more than a skill-up item or a passing piece of armor for a new player down the road.  I mean, first of all; that level 9 armor is in massive demand with little supply right now.  Everyone struggles to make them and their price is sky-high because everyone wants it to use for now.  Down the road, the 17 armor will follow the same pattern, while meanwhile the lower players will continue to struggle for the 9 armor.  Eventually, player demand will be caught up with and the level 9 armor will be commonplace, and perhaps even flood the market, driving its value lower and lower.  The 17 armor will follow.  I don't think I need to make the example for the 23 armor now, do I?

 

I don't see how this sort of system makes things any more difficult or earned than any other, except for the players at the forefront of the game's release.  As for those who follow, it will be little or no challenge at all.  I mean, in FFXI when I first began, a low-level HQ armor was absurdly rare.  By the end of my year playing, low-level rank-earned HQ blue-bordered items were so common that you practically had to be not trying if you couldn't afford the old white-border HQ synths.  I don't see where FFXIV will be an exception.

The key difference is that in FF11...things stopped around level 50ish or so and aquired items became infinitely more valuable than crafted ones.

FF14 is trying to be different in that all things valuable will come from crafters and only from crafters.   Then hopefully, they will become more than just something to upgrade your Archer's Ring to a Sniper's Ring +1.

Originally posted by Robokapp

we're not questioning the system, we're questioning the game's ability to entertain.

 

if gameplay is bad...APB happens. content, gameplay and interraction (UI) all matter.

That's a hell of a diversion there.  The post I was responding to was, indeed, talking about the system.

Interesting tactic though.

Originally posted by Shiymmas

Originally posted by fyerwall

Originally posted by TsukieU

Yes.

The game was designed from the ground up for a PC.  The menu system is a holdover from the other 15 or so Final Fantasy games.  Final Fantasy 11 had nearly the exact same interface.

You can try to justify your own inability to adapt to the interface on unitutiveness all you want, but it's not the true reason for your problems.

And as I said, people complain that all MMOs are the same, but when one does something new, they complain that it isn't the same.

 

See what I did there?

It uses nearly the same interface as FFXI because FFXI was designed for the PS2.

FFXIV is a game designed for consoles and built as such. With all the options available in a traditional MMO layout it would have been a nightmare for the console user to preform even half of them on a game pad. That is the reason they stuck with a menu driven system.

As for inability to adapt, thats not it. Anyone can adapt to a system like that. The problem is, why would anyone want to? People have a low tolerance to frustration, and that UI after a few hours becomes more tedious and frustrating than accessible and fun. The point of a UI is to allow you to control game functions while not intruding on overall gameplay. The FFXIV UI intrudes on gameplay as even a simple step can require navigating several menu layers to accomplish. That right there is why everyone complains.

Different is different. Needlessly complicated isn't different, it's just needlessly complicated.

100% agree with fyerwall.

 

I'll add that FFXI's UI never felt nearly as cumbersome as XIV's.  It was much more intuitive all the way around, and simple tasks were still simple.  There's plenty of ex-FFXI players who feel that way as well.  I mean, they've managed to even leave out some simple functionality such as arranging your inventory or fast-scrolling to the bottom of a long list by holding right.  Lots of little things like that just somehow went backwards or got completely left out.

 

Of course, the only thing I've seen that you've done here is to divert the river of issues and problems covered in this review into a narrow channel of "the UI is fine!" vs. "the UI sucks!".  Nice tact and all, but you failed to include 'in my opinion' alongside all your points, and the fact remains that the complaints go far beyond just the UI.

 

$0.02

This is what I was talking about if you read a few posts up of people alluding vaguely to things that make the game the beast with six thrice upon it's being.  The reason I chose the UI is because it's the only solid thing that people seem to be complain about that isn't ambigious and nebulous.

Originally posted by Shiymmas

Originally posted by Birdy88

Originally posted by Robokapp

Originally posted by Wrender

Imagine an MMO where you actually have to EARN your equipment! All my prayers have been answered. I hate these WoW cloned so called new games where everything is practically handed to you with little to no effort whatsoever. Maybe there is hope for the future of MMORPG's after all. Nice to see game companies do still exist that dares to do things different.

 how much are they paying you?

 

you fanboyed every topic down the list this evening.

Hes right though (with this topic at least). if random loot drops and easy end-game routing is all that people care about then this genre will forever be stagnant. 

The irony here is that, after a little while, all of those things that are so hard-earned right now will be so commonplace as to have almost no value whatsoever.  With a system like FFXIV's, all those tradeable armors will become useless for their original owners in time, not to mention their production of other armors to sell or skill on.  Eventually, the market will be flooded with low level, and later, higher level armors to the point that they will cost little more than what they'd vendor for - if that.  A new player in a few months time will be able to completely skip all of the hassle and not really have to even try and "earn" all their equipment at all.  The only exception to this would be items that require a rare material (such as a drop from an NM), but even with those, there will eventually be ample supply for players with a bit more gil than average.  Even then, they can skip all the hassle of actually having to find/camp such an NM.

 

At least with loot drops you'd have to actually go out and fight for them yourself.  IMO, this has a lot to do with why FFXI started tagging items RARE/EX so that players who wanted the best gear would be required to actually earn it themselves.  The bottom-line is; things are only so hard-earned because the game is so new right now.

 

Edit: The huge push towards crafting in this game will only exacerbate the issue given that many, many more people will be crafting than otherwise.

In a system such as FF14 everything will eventually have a value, nothing will be completely without worth.  An example of this was that in order to make a level 17 armour, you need the level 9 armour to make it...and to make the level 23 armour you need the level 17 armour.  You are upgrading everything, so there will never be anything that is completely without value.  Another example of this would be in UO, even the crappiest of weapons had a place to be sold.

Personally, I am in favour of this sort of system.

Originally posted by Wiezard

They didn't do anything different, unless a laggy and tedious UI is something you consider challenging and different. (which you clearly believe so)

Challenging?  I don't know why you keep hammering at that.  I never stated anything about challenge.  The MMO itself isn't really anymore challenging than any other MMO out there in terms of difficulty.  It just doesn't hold your hand every step of the way like most do.  It teaches you some basic things like combat and synthesis, then tosses you in the mix, and it's more or less up to you to sink or swim.  I guess people can see that as a challenge, but it's not really.

Anyway, yeah the UI is different...it's not the same as a typical western MMO.  Is it worse?  I don't think so, it took me a little bit to adapt to but nothing so cumbersome as for me to quit and complain endlessly on some forum about it.