I first played Final Fantasy XI in 2004, shortly after it came out. I remember it being a tough game back then, but satisfying when you could find a party worth a crap. Lately I’ve been reading up a lot on Final Fantasy XIV, and am starting to get that tingly feeling when a new game is being hyped. Somehow I know this will be the one (sarcasm, I’ve yet to find the One! And I doubt it exists).
Well, lucky for me, to sate some of that teeth gritting anxiety, Steam has Final Fantasy XI available. It’s kind of clunky, as Steam doesn’t maintain the game, it just allows you to load the installer. Four hours after you complete the lengthy Steam download you might be patched up and ready to play.
I started my current, and only, character a few weeks ago, but did not really get the chance to roll her out and do much playing. Yesterday, as a reaction to the shit ton of work I’ve been doing lately (I’m preparing to move to a different state, study for a promotion exam, and create my own online game in Neverwinter Nights 2), I just shut down, pulled her out of her mog house, and went to town on some Savanna Rarabs. I am a blight on the Savanna Rarab. I also scored a sweet Justice Badge by joining a guild of Windurstian children called the Star Onion Brigade.
I don’t know how long my new-found fascination with all things that are both Final Fantasy and Online will last. I doubt it will last as long as level 75. But we’ll see. I’m keeping this blog mainly just for my own fun, and to catalog what it’s like to join this game so late in the… um… game. I am using some guides that I found on the internet to help me in this game, as I do remember just how punishing it can be. But I’m not totally relying on them, as the magic of discovery can not be beaten. I didn’t know I could join the S.O.B. until I ran across a little girl who did not know where the warehouses were. She fretted over missing a secret meeting. I’m sure I could have found that quest on some Windurst list, but the way I did it was so much more satisfying.
I’ll try to keep my character’s page updated, and as an old school roleplayer, I might post a few journal entries from the point of view of my character. If you’re a current player on Garuda, and you want to give me a hand or just chat, give me a shout.
