I've been meaning to make this for a while. Is anyone playing? For those out of the loop it this is Square Enix's new critically acclaimed and highly reviewed remake MMORPG to the poorly received original FFXIV and was released about three weeks ago. It's currently facing population capacity issues in both Japan and NA/EU.

It's a pretty good candidate for those out there looking to get addicted to something in Japanese as that's a good way to learn. The game client can be switch languages between restarts, and you're allowed to make characters in the JP server group or the NA/EU group regardless of the game language you're using.

On the off-chance I get any replies we can discuss a main server here or something.

Some screenshots:

I played FFXI a lot. Possibly more than was healthy. A bunch of my old linkshellmates are playing FFXIV, though I don't know which server they're on (http://panicmotion.sawedoff.com/forum/). I look back at FFXI and say to myself "I could have been playing it in Japanese!" And I suppose that's true. Though it would've taken me a while to get to the point where my comprehension of stuff in battle was quick enough (main was RDM, others were BRD, WHM, BLM, COR, BLU, and SCH - yes, I liked support classes a lot) such that I wouldn't be booted the tenth time I missed that a mob woke up, etc. My wife (native speaker) played with JP groups, and enjoyed it quite a bit - they tended to be a lot more organized and efficient. Stereotypical but true. But unless you're at a pretty decent level in the language, I'm not sure I can recommend using FFXIV to practice your language skills. I did play with JP groups on occasion, but using autotranslate, which as much as it got (correctly) made fun of, it did get the job done. This was all several years before I started studying the language, which was about 2.5 years ago now, and I've been gone from FFXI for at least 4 years.

I play both every now and then (not that often these days). XI because a few friends still play it, and XIV because some friends jumped from XI to XIV when XIV first came out. (*shudder*)

Right now I barely have time to play either one, though. The N1 is in 9 weeks, so I'm already in full /panic mode. (Insert panicking Tarutaru GIF here.)

I played XI a lot and went back this year for a bit to finish off RoZ/CoP solo since the cap was raised to 99. I think XI spoilt me, since I've been unable to really get into any other MMO long term. I was interested in XIV for a long time but looking at the community and game itself it kinda feels aimed at the younger (MMO-inexperienced) crowd rather than XI players so I think I'd need an offline friend to play with me to make it enjoyable.

Quufer Wrote:I played FFXI a lot. Possibly more than was healthy. A bunch of my old linkshellmates are playing FFXIV, though I don't know which server they're on (http://panicmotion.sawedoff.com/forum/). I look back at FFXI and say to myself "I could have been playing it in Japanese!" And I suppose that's true. Though it would've taken me a while to get to the point where my comprehension of stuff in battle was quick enough (main was RDM, others were BRD, WHM, BLM, COR, BLU, and SCH - yes, I liked support classes a lot) such that I wouldn't be booted the tenth time I missed that a mob woke up, etc. My wife (native speaker) played with JP groups, and enjoyed it quite a bit - they tended to be a lot more organized and efficient. Stereotypical but true. But unless you're at a pretty decent level in the language, I'm not sure I can recommend using FFXIV to practice your language skills. I did play with JP groups on occasion, but using autotranslate, which as much as it got (correctly) made fun of, it did get the job done. This was all several years before I started studying the language, which was about 2.5 years ago now, and I've been gone from FFXI for at least 4 years.

With FFXIV:ARR it's possible to play on English speaking servers while using the Japanese UI. That's what I would recommend for someone not too decent at the language, as you can still function in dungeon parties considering your abilities have pictures/can read Katakana, and you can SRS all of your skill names and things like that.

ryuudou Wrote:With FFXIV:ARR it's possible to play on English speaking servers while using the Japanese UI. That's what I would recommend for someone not too decent at the language, as you can still function in dungeon parties considering your abilities have pictures/can read Katakana, and you can SRS all of your skill names and things like that.

I think I'm getting too old for MMOs, or at the very least for another round with an FF MMO. I don't have the time I want for my studies these days, much less anything else, so I'm giving FFXIV a pass. Eventually the plan is to start learning 碁 again after I get to a decent point with the language, using materials in Japanese, which I've already started collecting. Thanks, though, and good luck if you decide to jump into FFXIV.

For me the problem is that I don't find PvE MMOs offer very stimulating gameplay (compared to competitive multiplayer games), so the people I play with, the lore/storyline/game world/atmosphere and the secondary fanwork scene make or break the whole game for me. I never really had any major friends I played XI with but the storyline and the escape from reality aspect kept me going. Lots of other MMO worlds either feel too shallow for me to immerse myself (most theme park MMOs) or too desolate and lonely (EVE, etc.).

To be honest the last time I went back to XI I was just playing because I liked Prishe. 8-)

Is this game actually any good?

I haven't played a MMORPG probably for 10 years now, when I got completely addicted to one and it took over my life for a short time. It wasn't anything special, but it really encouraged group play and teamwork and that made it much more interesting to me. I tried playing Ragnarok on the Japanese server once, but everyone seemed to just tell me to go spend forever grinding to level up. I hated that -- I want to be able to just get involved with groups of people right from the beginning.

I'm downloading the benchmark check thing now to see if my laptop can handle it, if it works then maybe I'll give it a try.

Quufer Wrote:

ryuudou Wrote:With FFXIV:ARR it's possible to play on English speaking servers while using the Japanese UI. That's what I would recommend for someone not too decent at the language, as you can still function in dungeon parties considering your abilities have pictures/can read Katakana, and you can SRS all of your skill names and things like that.

I think I'm getting too old for MMOs, or at the very least for another round with an FF MMO. I don't have the time I want for my studies these days, much less anything else, so I'm giving FFXIV a pass. Eventually the plan is to start learning 碁 again after I get to a decent point with the language, using materials in Japanese, which I've already started collecting. Thanks, though, and good luck if you decide to jump into FFXIV.

I already play.

NightSky Wrote:I hated that -- I want to be able to just get involved with groups of people right from the beginning.

I'm downloading the benchmark check thing now to see if my laptop can handle it, if it works then maybe I'll give it a try.

The story quest has you running dungeons that require other people from lv15 and onward. It's more social than your typical MMO in my opinion. The game is averaging 321,000 concurrent players online (they actually had to stop digital purchases a week and a half after it came out from the Square Enix store and all retail partners because of population issues, but they were eventually renabled), so you should be good at that front. As for if it's good that's subjective with reviews ranging from the medium-high to higher side. famitsu actually gave it a 39/40 though, and IGN gave it an 8.6/10. I definitely enjoy it.

Okay sounds good, I think I'll give it a go.

Though there are a few different versions and its not obvious what the differences are between them except price. It looks like the download version doesn't have the 早期購入特典 - which is probably fine but I don't know what the differences are there? And then there is the collectors edition versus the regular one -- what is the difference there?

Okay I guess my answer was here:

http://voices.yahoo.com/which-version-fi...html?cat=2

As far as I can tell, makes no sense to order anything other than the standard cheapest one. Awesome.

Maybe u will just get hooked on it, if it wasnt for my kids I'd be stuck playing WOW. I quit wow over 5 years ago and never looked back its a big time sinker!! All u think about is the game. Even at work Ill be thinking ways how to make gold >.<

Im happy Im out of that hole! Just go my pc and my xbox360 which I rarely play due to the attention of my kids and my job


p.s Nightsky Ive sent u an email via here pls have a look and give me some input will ya . .

Ugh, I went to buy and it seems I can't pay at the Japanese square store without a Japanese credit card .... and I don't have one because I'm in China right now and only have my HK credit card =(

If I buy the download version elsewhere can I still connect to the JP servers without any other problems?

Kinda late to the party but I started playing on Bahamut (JP server) if anyone wants to play. Thinking of joining a Japanese RP Linkshell when I've found my feet a bit.

I'm late to the video game party in general. These games my friends play look fun, but I don't have a system/tv and of course only wanna play if I can play on a Japanese server/get J practice. So is 'Steam' the best way to get started if all I have is a computer? This was on my mind and the top thread, otherwise I'd find a more broadly 'video game' thread to revive

I don't think XIV is available on Steam, but I think you can purchase and download the client directly from the official site (eg. http://www.finalfantasyxiv.com/playersdownload/na/ for the download). Try the benchmark first though to see if you can run it fine. Anyone can play on any server - I'm using a UK account here in Japan and playing on JP servers.

I reckon I would have to play early in the morning to get language practice.

eawfeljflkje how many talk, fetch and kill quests is this game planning on throwing at me?

[s0apgun]

anyone know if the ps3 digital download in the states is able to switch to japanese? i have some ps store credits i want to use

Haha, I like that in the first picture OP posted one of the names is Black Passion. I think I saw that porno once...

s0apgun Wrote:anyone know if the ps3 digital download in the states is able to switch to japanese? i have some ps store credits i want to use

According to a reply on this JRPGClub forum post, the PS3 version is multilingual.

I started playing a couple of days ago. Playing on the Bahamut server. It's pretty entertaining so far. Not sure if I'll get hooked in the long run, but it's fun and has a lot of Japanese to read.

Also, as I write this, Amazon is selling the PC Download version of the game for $11.99/$19.99 (Standard/Collector's Edition).

[s0apgun]

Sweet. Thank you for the response and heads up! I just purchased it.

[s0apgun]

So I recently tried playing this game in Japanese. Is it just me or is it really freaking hard to understand the Japanese used in this game? I'm about N2 level... and I totally felt defeated by it

It's like reading a fantasy novel for the first time. All of a sudden there are a million new words and descriptions and items you've never heard of before. And, of course, some of the characters use dated language. Good times. But, just like reading fantasy novels, if you keep reading (and if you understand "normal Japanese" as a prerequisite..) you'll probably get used to it. :]