I do in a 'gee, this is tough, not a 10 min to max level cakewalk like
everything that comes out' kind of way...

it is good, but it's different just not everyone's cup of cum!

laters

Dj

OUCH!

Seriously tho, FFXI is an MMORPG
Your experience is affected by how YOU approach the game, and the others you
meet in-game. If you fail to meet like-minded souls on your world (server)
you may not enjoy your experience. Soloing is possible - but if you like to
solo stick to a traditional RPG.

From my past experiences playing Asheron's Call (ACDM) and Asheron's Call
2 -- FFXI falls in the middle.

The original AC had a gameplay and storyline that was addictive. An
advantage AC had that FFXI does NOT have, is you were able to create chars
on ALL servers. So, you had the opportunity to 'visit' each server before
choosing where to level your main character. (Now, before any FFXI lover
"jumps" - there is an option within FFXI to purchase a worldpass in-game, so
your friends may start chars on your world. The big difference here is that
you need RL friends to share a worldpass with. ACDM allowed you to go
in-game, and choose the world you found most enjoyable).
The original AC ran on my old, slow computer and on dial-up - amazingly
well. The game crapped out after a few years when macros and 3rd party hacks
ruined the in-game economy. The developers were helpless against it, and
adopted a policy forbidding only unattended combat macros... allowing and
even creating a special 'marketplace' for trade bots and buffing bots.

AC2- Fallen Kings was crap. Whatever potential the game had was destroyed
within the first few months by developer re-defining of character skills and
by player drop-off. The game was also hampered by a total inability to solo
through the mid levels. (No solo plus no players = no gameplay).

FFXI is holding my interest. It lacks the complete immersion in storyline AC
had -- Baelzharon walked the game during the shadow invasion -- and solo
players could and DID affect storylines in their world. The lack of
background, however, is not for lack of trying on the developers part. And
some of the events - like summerfest - are enjoyable if you want to meet new
folks and see new sites. The crafting system and the player Auction Houses
and individual bazaars are the basis of a vital in-game economy. Solo play
is possible at ALL levels for most jobs (a tarutaru white mage has a
difficult time - but it can be done). Group play is encouraged by a
six-person 'party' system, and with support AND damage jobs, most monsters
are more efficiently dispatched while grouped.

When you upgrade go ahead and plunge right in! If you land in Asura, give me
a tell in-game.

Dabby
Brd/Whm
FFXI - Asura

Why? What's wrong with Celeron?? Aren't 2.3GHz enough to run a stupid
videogame? I am really asking.

Ciao,
Michele - Who knows nothing about PC hardware for videogames