It has been 20 years since the great and terrible Crystal War engulfed all the lands of Vana’diel. It began with the sudden appearance of the vile Shadowlord, loather of all things living. He enslaved the unwitting beastmen of Vana’diel and lead them in a world-wide war against all the peaceful nations. The nations fell one after another like dominoes until, finally, Grand Duke Kam’lanaut of Jeuno rallied the remaining nations into the Allied Forces of Altana. A stalemate ensued for some time until the legendary Battles of Jeuno and of Xarcabard, where the beastmen were finally overwhelmed and Volker, champion of Bastok, cornered and slew the Shadowlord in his castle Zvahl. Vana’diel has changed greatly since the Crystal War, and you are about to discover just how much.

Despite being called Final Fantasy XI, this MMORPG is unlike previous titles in the series in many ways. Final Fantasy XI can be played in both first and third-person. Also, the player is only able to control one character, but can fully personalize their character. Lastly, Final Fantasy XI’s environment does not switch to a turn-based “battle area” when an enemy is encountered. Past level ten, this MMOG strongly encourages parties of up to six players and up to three parties can ally to take down especially difficult foes. A monster in Final Fantasy XI becomes “claimed” once a player attacks it, which means only members in that player’s party may attack the monster unless they “call for help”.

There is much to do in Final Fantasy XI, including taking on quests, main storyline advancing missions, alchemy, trading, crafting, harvesting, mining, fishing, excavating, logging, smithing, and of course, PvP and PvE combat. PvP is strictly limited to “matches” wherein all involved agree to the combat. The economy of this MMO is almost entirely player-driven. Monsters drop little money, if at all. This helps encourage players to craft items and sell them in “Auction Houses” which are located in every major city of Vana’diel. Three expansions have so far been released for Final Fantasy XI; Rise of the Zilart, Chains of Promathia, and Treasures of Aht Urhgan.