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Final Fantasy XI General Article: A Crystaline Prophecy Tour
MMORPG.com's Carolyn Koh writes this report of her recent tour of the Crystaline Prophecy scenario for Square Enix's Final Fantasy XI.
By Carolyn Koh on May 01, 2009
A Crystalline Prophecy - An Ode of Life Bestowing is the first of three scenarios, or mini-expansions, launching in Final Fantasy XI. Masato Kato, who oversaw the initial plot conception and event direction for the original Final Fantasy XI and the Rise of the Zilart expansion had been approached to write continuing storylines and the three new scenarios are a result of that. These mini-expansions aren't about new maps, but are strictly storyline expansions expanding on the history and myth of Vana'diel via missions and cutscenes... and of course cool loot.
Launched on April 9th, 2009, the storyline of A Crystalline Prophecy revolves around a giant crystal that appears in the sky above Jueno. It explains some mysteries of Vana'diel's past and leads to some inexplicable happenings in the land. This is conveyed in the cut scene (more like a short movie) which involves your character, triggering as you enter Lower Jeuno. There, you see the Crystal appear in the sky and hear its song, which fades into an ethereal echo. Aldo and Emeline, the children featured in the opening movie of Final Fantasy XI, feature as adults in the cut scene. When the Crystal disappears, the town folk seem to have no memory of what had just occurred and a child asks you if that were not unusual. You discover it is the young Aldo. Just what is happening? This puzzling scenario begins the quests or missions in A Crystalline Prophecy.
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From there, I was brought to the Fields of Valor where the Devs showed me one of the short training quests and we received a Treasure Casket - a new item that yields regular items such as potions and elixirs, as well as regular and rare gear. Speaking of gear, A Crystalline Prophecy and the accompanying update brings Augmentation to FFXI. Some equipment gained in this mini-expansion will carry a random effect. We jaunted also to the Ru'Aun Gardens and Behemoth's Dominion where I received an augment for my robe as a mission reward. Players are restricted to one mission per day for these augment missions for balance issues.
The end rewards in A Crystalline Prophecy are three new pieces of armor that aren't just stats and eye-candy. The Mirke Wardecors, Nuevo Coselete and Royal Redingote have player customizable effects. Players who complete the missions of this expansion will be rewarded with one of these garments and may choose two out of 20 effects available. These effects run from Accuracy of +10 to Pet bonuses such as Magic Accuracy and Magic Bonuses of +7.
In A Crystalline Prophecy and the current version updates, the FFXI developers addressed the White Mage as part of their ongoing "looks" at the jobs in FFXI. The White Mage has some nice new spells. Auspice reduces the rate at which your enemy gains Tactical Points (required for weapon skills) and Sacrifice removes a negative effect from your target and transfers it to yourself. Oh how I immediately wanted that for my other games as well. Imagine being able to transfer a "Slow" or other detrimental effects from your main tank to yourself.
At Fort Karugo-Narugo, a Mithra stronghold, I was treated to another cut scene movie with my character featuring in it. I quipped halfway through the movie that it would probably be on Youtube by Monday to which the team fervently hoped not! Go check the door to the fort, I was told after I buffed my party at the end of the cut scene. Ouch! I had triggered the quest and got thumped for my troubles, but the tanks efficiently took over the aggro while I sorted through my skills and threw a few slows, blinds and repeatedly cast Sacrifice on my main tank throughout the course of the battle.
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Square Enix also introduced a new security feature in April, a physical security token that when linked to your account, adds a new level of security by generating a random one-time password when you log into your account. An MMO player's worst nightmare is having his or her account hacked. If you think about it, this also prevents sharing of accounts and the inherent problems that often arise from that. To entice players to participate - as the security token costs $9.99, included with the security token purchase, is an in-game item, the "MOG Satchel" which essentially doubles your inventory space. A feature I was told, that was received well by the players. Both for the higher level of security and the doubling of inventory space.
What I gathered from the media tour is that indeed, A Crystalline Prophecy is all about furthering the Final Fantasy story. Square Enix is rather proud of the fact that they managed to entice Masato Kato back to write these storyline scenarios for FFXI Online. Each cut scene I viewed was not a short 30 second clip, but rather long and involved. All involved my character being in the movie and although I had no control over the character, he nevertheless was addressed by NPCs and participated in the action. The Fort Karugo-Narugo cut scene was particularly well done, showing the epic battle that took place there. A pity that Square Enix did not choose to do any voice-acting for these cut scenes as that would have been the cherry on top. It would have added immensely to the immersion and enjoyment of the cut scenes as a lot of thought and work obviously went into them. Players who are really into the myth and story-telling aspect of Final Fantasy XI Online will probably enjoy this scenario as well as the next two in the series; A Moogle Kupo d'Etat and A Shantotto Ascension
Below, find images of the three armor chest pieces in the following order: Mirke Wardecors, uevo Coselete and Royal Redingote.
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I might have missed it, but I take it all the content is for higher level players?
I am a little bit stuck at level 18, being that it is near impossible to find a group. Anything planned in the other mini-expansions for "lower level" fun? :) Great read!
Beau Turkey
An interesting look at this new mini-adventure but lacking once again with complete research on MMO information. Seriously, why is it most of the news reports written here on MMORPG have glaring mis-information or are completely wrong! One of us normal folk seem to always have to comment with the correct info.
Anyway, getting to what I have quoted above....FFXI is not the first and only MMO to have a Security Authenticator. Blizzard is way ahead here with their own for World of Warcraft which you can purchase here ~ Blizzard Authenticator
yes, this new adventure is targeted at high level players only, as will the other 2 coming later this year.
As far as finding a group...just keep seeking and playing...with Fields of Valor and the increase to easy and decent XP gains you can easily solo into the low 20s on any job, and the Level Sync added last fall allows players of any level to group up!
Maybe the job you're playing is just not wanted at the times you're playing, but that shouldn't stop you from leveling up solo until you do get an invite. Or start your own group...ask people!
Yup, I see that was a mistake.
The reason is pretty simple: We cover over 200 games. We are a VERY small staff. We don't always remember every piece of information about everything. One of you has the answer because, well, there are over a million of you with more specific knowledge about specific games that, say, I personally have.
I appreciate the heads up, and will remove the incorrect info. We rely on tips like this to keep everything as up to date and accurate as possible.
Yes it is once again content that ONLY caters to end game.I truly cannot understand how they ALWAYS ignore low level players,maybe they figure low level players don't want anything?You would think it is just bad marketing and a dumb idea to exclude possible sales,but maybe that is why they keep everything a secret ,so as to hope new players will buy it,even though they cannot use it.I think it is just end game oriented for the sake of less work needed to make this small bit of content.IMO this is such a small dabble of content,it could/should have been free,but i guess they had to pay a ton of money to get the old guy back into the mix.The last expansion and this stuff has IMO been poor quality,i think they are getting cheaper in their efforts or perhaps running out of ideas.
IMO none of the three will be worthy of being paid for ,even if a 10 dollar fee for all three ,let alone for each.I also do not agree with paying for ANY security,that should be something we trust the developer with,i mean there is no need for added security.It only figures that Blizzard would start this trend to make an extra buck off of their subscribers.All this does is give players using illegal websites the peace of mind,when in reality we should NOT be catering to illegal activity in FFXI.I use no security what so ever and i have no fear of my account ever being hacked.
Search is your friend...hehe There is an article posted here by one of your staff covering the Blizzard Authenticator when it was released....just saying!
Search is your friend...hehe There is an article posted here by one of your staff covering the Blizzard Authenticator when it was released....just saying!
Indeed. Like i said, I missed that one on edit, it happens.
I have been playing FFXi for *checks date on launcher* over 4 years?
Since that time, I have un-subbed and re-subbed a bunch, I know what it's like to wait for hours and hours for a group. Trust me, I have asked a TON. I understand the game being more geared to those that can spend the hours and hours to get to a higher level, but I am always stuck at around 20. I am going to write an extensive blog post about how the game basically leaves you in the dust at lower levels.
Having said that, it's a fantastic game. I like the feel of it, and although some have issues with the graphics, I love them! It's got a great look to it. So, I am pretty much doing the few quests there are, exploring, and slowly (very very very slowly) gaining levels, in between dying and de-leveling a few times! :)
I do like the recent advances in help for leveling, though I haven't found anyone (literally) that is willing to group with me. Still, if you have a high level, the game has got to be incredible! :)
Beau
I can't deny I hadn't heard of this Blizzard security key either. When did they add it?
Being member of a linkshell helps as well. We do a lot of linkshell parties to help others level or with quets/missions. I know that not all linkshells do this but it is more likely to find people to party being a member of one. I myself like doing missions but I can only take them once unless I help someone, mission 2-3 and 4-5 are some of my favorites.
I have been a part of FFXI for 7 years now, through all the good and bad that SE has thrown at its players. I havent done the new mini expansions yet but plan to, and from what I've been told the battles are kind of fun. It is for the higher level crowd which isn't a bad thing, people can complain all they want about not having new stuff for low level players but I say the lower level people have enough to deal with as is, don't complain about the game for not having new lowbie content when most new people will have a hell of a time getting through zilart alone.
Also another note about SE not releasing an expansion with low level content, Chains of Promathia had low level content....and if you've played FFXI for a long time you know to dread Chains missions like the plauge.
BTW for ANYONE who has trouble leveling in FFXI, solo till about 15+ then seek for a party in the dunes, if you still cant find a party then level another job! I love jobs like drk, drg and thf (all which look awesome as a taru, taru anything is awesome) but finding a party as one of those jobs will drive you crazy. If you really truly love the job you're trying to level and want it at 75, find something to occupy your time while you seek for a party. Farm like crazy! Explore! Take up crafting! Anything you can to take your mind off not having a party.
FFXI :Titan Server: Chotaru
75 WHM, BLM, RDM, NIN, DRK, PLD.
I didn't really think about concentrating on my other job..good point.
I will try for a good linksheel, being that they messed up my billing and gave me another free month. Now, to just figure out what server I am on and where to find a good linkshell. I joined one and it has been dead for months.
Beau