If you just started playing ffxi or is thinking about starting theres a few things that I just wanted to cover.

1. When you first start you're going to feel a sense of being at a loss on what to do. where to go. and whats even going on in your world. Dont get discouraged. theres usuially friendly people around that will help and answer questions. Explore your home town. talk to all the NPCs. they are filled with quests to help you learn the mechanics of the game.

2. From level 1-10: In this stage it was designed for solo. This is your learning stages. Even though leveling these first 10 levels can get kind of dull. Remember, this is your time to fight monsters, do quests, start a craft, and start your nations missions, figure out what job you want to be exc. These levels are in no way what its going to be like afterward. Trust me lol. 10+ when you want to level up some more, you group up with other players to gain exp very fast. This is when the beauty of ffx starts to bloom. Youll meet some great players and make some good friends in the process.

3. This game isnt just leveling up. Some of the things you can do if your not in the mood to grind levels are: Fishing, Crafting, Betting at the Chocobo races, Socializing, Missions, Quests, Farming, NM hunting, Chocobo raising, Pimping out your Mog House, Harvesting, Mining, Helping other players (a very big thing in ffxi), Seasonal Events just to name a few. And you can do all this even at levels 1-10. So this just shows the magnatude of things to do. Think of what you can do at later levels O.o.

4. Be patient. Dont judge this game from the first few levels. If you do your only cheating yourself from the greatest MMO experience you'll ever have. The community, the depth, the storyline is unmatched by anything out there. And ive played alot of MMOs. There is a reason why this is the game that rivils WoW. Yes WoW has like a Gazillion members. But FFXI has been around for 4 years now and is still in the top 5 most played MMOs. Its also the oldest of the pack as well. Lots of games become huge than they fall. While FFXI still stands tall.

Ive been playing for 2 years now. Ive got 2 level 75 jobs and I can honestly say I still havent seen half of the content this game has. And I play ALOT. 

So have fun. Dont get discouraged. And enjoy the greatest MMO on the market today.

thats what im talking about ^.^

I missed that game. I miss my Summoner/white mage. Was fun...  Well said.

great post, i really wish this game got the credit it deserves. it really is the best MMO out story and content wise. although it is seriously lacking in a pvp sense the pve and the whole experience of this game is far better than anything i myself have ever tried. i've been in vana'diel since 2004 and i can't help myself but i have fallen for this game.

I agree completely that this game is the best around as far as story and content. It's also a simply beautiful game from the avatars to the mobs. It really doesn't get much better in my opinion.

People are so quick to give up on FFXI when the going gets rough.Yes, at times it will be hard to find a group but don't get discouraged! You will find one eventually. Yes, at times it is hard to make gil, but if you take up a profession and level that up just as much as you would grinding xp, you'll be making money in no time. It's the most involved MMORPG on the market and it doesn't get enough North American credit.

About 3 months ago I bought the 30-day trial from Gamestop, and I have to agree that FFXI is a WONDERFUL game.

At times I felt lost, like the OP said, but after a while you get the feel of things, and there are also really nice people on there most of the time. I quit though, only because It was hard getting hunts when i reached lvl 10 lol. But i LOVE just about anything with Final Fantasy in it lol.

Perhaps one of the greatest, and most frustrating at times, MMO's ever created FFXI certainly is worth playing.

I agree when you first start out playing there is very little direction given to you,   it feels very sand box.  However once you learn the ropes you begin to see the pattern that is FFXI.  Level to 12 however you can manage, solo or duo or trio.  Then get in a party in Valkrum Dunes and level level level!

If your not up for a party based VERY social game then don't play FFXI, play a game that you can solo on.

Granted FFXI is one of the best parting games ever made with a diverse class system that is balanced and unique to the industry.

I've spent over 200 days play time playing FFXI, at times its my favorite MMO at and times I almost pull my hair out from seeking for a while.

Honestly the main thing you need to remember while playing FFXI is there is always something you could be doing rather than sitting and waiting to party, wasting time is what frustrates so find something to do while your seeking for a party.

Me?  I watch Anime.

Thank you very much for lifting the spirits of both new and veteran FFXI players. I've finally started playing FFXI a couple weeks ago, and even though I'm still doing solo work, I have not given up playing this wonderful MMORPG that I've been meaning to play ever since it came out in North America 6 years ago.

"Never give up, never surrender." From Galaxy Quest.

At last, a post that is nice and not full of trolls that saw the box and hate the game. I bought this game a few days ago and can't wait to play, but waiting till i get back off holiday. I've been playing lots of mmorpg's in the last few months, waiting for uni to start in September, and hope this is the game for me, not too happy about the pricing for Europe, but if its worth it it will be fine. Also I play mmorpgs with my girlfriend so hopefully she'll love it too and we can be in the same team etc and have good fun together. I have read the website and lots of posts and got excited about playing it but the are quite a few posts about that the game is rubbish cuz of the teaming takes ages, so hopefully it won't be that bad. Also I read that if you and a friend want to start the game you might be on different servers? Is it hard to be on the right server?

Very informative post, I hope it helps a lot of people.

Originally posted by sbanting

At last, a post that is nice and not full of trolls that saw the box and hate the game. I bought this game a few days ago and can't wait to play, but waiting till i get back off holiday. I've been playing lots of mmorpg's in the last few months, waiting for uni to start in September, and hope this is the game for me, not too happy about the pricing for Europe, but if its worth it it will be fine. Also I play mmorpgs with my girlfriend so hopefully she'll love it too and we can be in the same team etc and have good fun together. I have read the website and lots of posts and got excited about playing it but the are quite a few posts about that the game is rubbish cuz of the teaming takes ages, so hopefully it won't be that bad. Also I read that if you and a friend want to start the game you might be on different servers? Is it hard to be on the right server?

Oh lemme tell ya, at 30 this is when it really gets fun! You get an advanced job (Ninja, Paladan, Dancer, Puppetmaster, Darkknight, Bard, Scholar, Samarai, Corsiar, Ranger and the all powerful Bluemage). Thats when all sorts of possibilities open up to you. 

As far as your girlfriend. Girls LOVE this game so you definatly wont have a problem in that department. Most of the people I know are couples bf gf, husband wife. I think the reason why so many girls like it so much is the rich storyline, the very social community (I swear its like a living breathing world. Always people wanting to talk to you), neat charactors, fun activities to do exc.

Now depending on the system you got it, If you got it on the PC i definatly recommend getting a ps2 or 360 style controller. The game was intended to be played on a controller since it was released on the ps2 first. With the type of controls it has, playing it on the keyboard kinda sux imo.

Yes you guys can play in the same world. You can choose any world you would like to play in. I recommend Alexander server. If you do go to that server send Blauce or Carlissa (my gf) a /tell for a linkpearl (i guess in other games its a guild). We'll get you started on the right foot. Hope to see you guys soon.

p.s. A great job to play if you want to level up with your girlfriend is Black mage. Alot of couples level this job up because you dont even need a party lvls 40 to 75. And the two of you can just duo all the way to the top.

Oh yea I meant to post this on the last post:

If you want to see how close of a community your about to join do this, Check out Youtube and in the search type "FFXI short stories". Enjoy! :)

Oh and also, You and your girlfriend can actually have an ingame wedding! An event type wedding with the SE staff conducting it. You get a full decorated wedding spot of your choice, wedding rings with your names engraved in them, and full wedding attire.

Lol sounds awsome, well I'll probably be playing on tuesday as we are travelling tomorrow back home, you've made me all excited and wanting to play now tho :P

One question tho, I liked the idea of a thief, mainly cuz of WoW really, and seeing how usefull and sneaky they can be, do you recommend it or is it not as good as it sounds? I like being powerfl too tho and I saw that black mage sounded cool so might go for that, but getting rare items and more money out of mobs must be cool tho.

I'll defo give