Great video as always! When I started my free trial - many of the levelling assistance items are unaccesaible unless you have the full game - so I put 30 hours in to FFXI getting a slightly more 'classic' grinding experience before I plunged into the full release. But even then - the cutscenes and through lines of Rhapsodies changed the pacing and made the entire experience feel far more streamlined and cohesive- it definitely 'felt' as though it was building to something, and it did so without feeling at the expense of the core storylines of the individual eras. Re Iroha in FFXIV, whilst i 100% agree with your thesis that SE wanted to funnel players on to the next game overall, her mininquest in 14 actually feels more like a free advert to 14 players to go back and try 11. It's short, sweet and doesn't do anything significant with her character save to say 'hey, there's a whole other game out there where amazing stuff happens'. They replayed the event she appeared in January 24 and yeah - for once I would give SE the benefit of the doubt on this - it was a love letter to older experiences rather than an attempt to steal people from 11 and move forwards. Her role in 14 is no more than a cameo that's only available for 1 month every 2 to 3 years.
Your point about the crossover event is a really important rebuttal to my views expressed in the video. Thank you for sharing! Thank you for all the feedback you've given through the series, I felt like you deserved way more than just having your name in the credits. Can't wait for your next couple FF videos!
Your point about the community is spot on. I have so many stories about my first LS. Doing content and completely ruining runs for everyone involved. Yet, they never got mad or upset, they were always encouraging whenever I made mistakes. Arciele, I think you underestimate your contribution to the scripts for these videos, you've been an incredible help. Thank you for all the encouragement and input, I can't thank you enough!
You have a talent to pull on my heartstrings. The greatest story never told, the greatest music never heared....... combined with this music....... I was close to crying. It throws me back into the best time of my gaming life. All the Adventures, all this friends I meet on the way. I just miss this time so much. This game deserves better.
I think something important to mention about the music is the credits theme. It's a great rendition of Vana'diel march, the main theme of the game, which perfectly fits this closure to the story. Then the chorus hits and it's a sea of actual XI players singing. And it reminds me of all the adventures I've had over the years of playing and all the other people who were right there beside me, some who are still there, and some who aren't with us anymore. Still brings a tear to the eye when I hear it.
A phenomenal end to a phenomenal series. All of the hard work and effort that went into this series is definitely seen and appreciated by many. Excited to see what you accomplish in the future. I know it will be great! - Your Biggest Fan
This is dumb to say but your series has healed a piece of my heart. A piece that I knew was important but one no one seemed to regard. Even people who had once played the game and some who still do disregard how special it is. I defend that piece of my heart regardless. It feels rejuvinated and it is cathartic to watch someone develop an organic appreciation for XI. I still play it on and off. Sometimes more, sometimes less. When able I still show people that bespoke little broken down water mill in East Ronfaure. Or the little hill in Konschat Highlands with the two trees on either side in a carpet of pink and yellow flowers. Stuff I love and protect. It's a wonderful game
As an unrelated addendum, the game has recently added the option to delay the cutscenes that trigger the start of expansions so that they are less sudden and jarring to new players. You can now delay the Iroha cutscenes until you are ready!
Thank you for sharing, that's really great to hear! I hope these videos continue to encourage people to try out FFXI in the future. Thanks for the heads up on that cutscene delay, I'll be honest, I wasn't aware of that!
Crazy how much this one game impacted me whole life. Played when I was 14 years old in the early 2000s and still play in my mid 30s. Never seems to leave me. Great video!
I've been playing since the launch of the asura server, i still play today. Rhapsodies of Vanadiel came out at a time i was actually considering ending my sub, and because of how good it was, i still have my sub today, despite being very casual. I wish more people could experience rhapsodies for themselves but i understand going back is difficult. Truly love rhapsodies though.
First of all, I wanted to say thank you for all those great content you created around Final Fantasy XI! I can't tell how happy it makes me to learn more about one of the Final Fantasy I unfortunately never got the chance to really play. As you said so well at the end of this video, I have been within those people that discarded FFXI and for me the reason was mostly because it is an online game... But I have to say, I felt like I missed out quite a lot of things from the FF lore by not playing FFXI; and I could tell this from Opera Omnia Dissidia that gave some much more weight to a few characters of FFXI such as Iroha, Selth'teus, Eld'narche, Kam'lanaut, Aphmau, Prishe, Shantotto, Lion, Lilisette, Arciela and so many others! And the fact I could watch your reviews and somehow get even more sense of it all, really made me want to play FFXI. I always adored the music from the game, and I feel Naoshi Mizuta is underrated while being as much of a music genius as all other composers from Square Enix games. I had the opportunity to barely play FF11 a few years ago but didn't go that far. Your videos really make me want to go back to Vana'diel and explore this fantastic land that I barely visited. My biggest wish from Square Enix is that they remaster/remake the game to be more accessible (but as an option, not as a replacement) because I really believe it would help provide more interest to the game for those that never had the chance to even try it.
@@tossashow Thank you for the kind feedback, it really means a lot! I do truly wish for a remake/offline remaster too. The love and care that went into this game is just too great to leave alone. There's no shame in not being able to play FFXI. While I cannot recommend this game enough, MMOs may not be for everyone. Especially in FFXI's case due to the immense challenge of the sign up process and the learning curve. But I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed learning about this game!
I first played FFXI back in the summer of 2003 when i was 12. It was the first MMO I had ever played, but I had been a fan of the FF series since FFIII(VI) on SNES. Since then I had played on and off up until about 2019. After finding this series, I've not only resubbed, I even started a fresh toon! It's so cool to see so many people still having an interest in this game. I friggen love it, haha. Thanks for the awesome series! Oh, I'm "Llocke" on Asura server, also.
I am also playing XI... I quit for a year then come back every time. I love this game with passion. If you ever need help also in Asura, my character's name is Iehudiel (with i)
Really like what Rhapsodies brought to XI tbh. It's been controversial, but the story elements are simply priceless and so engaging! Unifying all the storylines was not easy, but idk, there's something with Rhapsodies that just worked with me. Also, they took some story elements from Rhapsodies and brought them to DFFOO. Kind of rang like death toll considering that game was brought to an end of service.
I just so happened upon this video today. I did once try out FF11 years back, but never really got into it. I have gotten through 14 though and this video made me reconsider trying 11 again.
FFXI has a BRUTAL learning curve. If you're familiar with FF14, then you'll know about the ARR hurdle for new players to get past. FFXI has a hurdle 10x worse, and for most, it lasts for the base game and the first expansion. The stories aren't as good yet, the controls and UI are tough to get used to, and setting the game up can even be challenging. I'm sure, the mouse controls for this game have broken a peace treaty somewhere, it's that atrocious. So you'll be playing on either keyboard or controller. But it is one of the greatest games of all time IMO. It has 300 hours of incredible story, the gearing and progression systems are incredibly rewarding, and its overall just a phenomenal FF game.
@@vicenarian340 well I am willing to learn. It might take me a bit, but it looks fun. I just probably should have some pals to play with on there. That's what I was missing the first time I tried it. I will keep in mind the controls and the learning curve. Thanks for the heads up on that. :3
@@vicenarian340 What was experienced back then is wholly different to what I've now witnessed in it's predcessor FFXIV, ah those parties to level up throughout Valkurm Dunes and so on, for me there was something about that form of community and unwritten ettiquette to ensuring the members got their sufficient levels and time respected. Late night farming with Dynamis, to the exploration of the magnificent world itself. Al'Taieu will forever stay with me (That music, my goodness.) - It felt like a rite of passage to unlocking the end game zones, Sky, Sea. As you've shown: I could revist this game quite easily, but I find cherishing the memory I had is enough.
The game has a BRUTAL learning curve, from installing, to setting up controls, to navigating menus. But if you can get past that hurdle, you'll find a hidden gem. It's one of the best video games I've ever played. Thanks for watching!
I completed Rhapsodies of Vana’diel about a month ago. I feel it is one of the best “endings” to a FF I have ever seen. Such a powerful emotional ending and the music is incredible. You really should add a section to this video about the song at the ending credits - real XI players singing the Vana’diel March. So good. I have loved your retrospective on all of FF. Hope you make more content.
You're right. The ending is definitely the strongest in the series! I'd love to continue doing videos, but I had a work schedule shift that's left me with very little time to work on videos. Hopefully, I can get back to it sometime soon though!
Still play this game to this day. Love this to bits with every fiber of my being! Props to you for making this video and I'm not sure why it just landed in my feed lol but I'm glad it did. Long live the developers, the players, and yes, even you bcnm40 ..
Thank you for all the time you spent making this series, while I've sadly had to skip the story sections of the videos as I'm still slowly making my way through the game, your passion for this game encouraged me to finally give FFXI a shot last year, alongside a few other channels that love this game. I don't know if you have any plans on making more videos in the future but I'll be sticking around for whatever else you may have planned!
Thank you, that's great to hear! In these videos, I try to incorporate as little spoilers as possible. But I can definitely understand wanting to go in completely blind. I've recently had a work schedule shift that's left me with very little time to work on videos like these. But I have a couple smaller videos planned. Hopefully, you'll enjoy those too!
I just got done binging every video on your channel and I have to say you’ve done a phenomenal job and have pushed me to want to finally dive into 11. I’ve been a massive Final Fantasy fan my whole life and have been an avid 14 player since ARR. It would be truly awesome to see you do a series on 14 with your incredibly thorough and open minded style of video. Thanks for all your hard work it doesn’t go unappreciated!
Thank you, this means a lot! The learning curve of FFXI is absolutely BRUTAL, but if you can make it past the Nation missions and earlier content, you'll be able to enjoy everything I've discussed. I actually plan on doing a series for FFXIV at some point this coming winter IF work slows down enough for me to manage that. But I can't guarantee anything.
Love your videos and excited for this one. 🤩 Just my opinion and okay to be different from yours: I prefer the modern FFXI improvements over the way lvl 75 cap FFXI played. FFXI was my first MMO. I loved playing with my friends in this world. We didn’t experience much of the story because it was so hard to do back then. All my friends left to go play WoW upon its release and I tried to stick it out in FFXI. After being told hundreds of times, I finally joined them in WoW just before BC released. Fast forward to this year and my friend from FFXIV talks me into coming back to FFXI with them. We have thoroughly enjoyed the first couple of expansions and are pushing through the rest. The advancements have made a previously inaccessible story accessible to me and my friend. I completely understand how many people prefer the old style of FFXI that was much harder and depended on other players more. For me as someone who experienced both, I prefer modern FFXI. Thank you for these great trips down memory lane and I look forward to more of these videos. 🫡
There is nothing wrong at all with different opinions. It's always enlightening to have a well-reasoned conversation with someone you disagree with. That having been said, I too have a strong preference for the way modern FFXI is structured. Thanks for reaching out, it's really appreciated!
As a player with actual years of playtime for this game, NA beta tester, and one of the hosts of XI’s longest running podcast, I can say that your content has really been great to consume. XI is an entire chapter of my life that has at this point been more present in my life than hasn’t. I also love to see a player who didn’t play during the height of the game have such appreciation and reverence for it. Would love to provide any information and insight into the game any time! ❤️ keep up the great work!!
Love the video. This story was everything I wanted from the game. I came back from a few years break to play through it, and I regularly come back to watch the cutscene which plays close to the end. Fantastic tying of threads established across the MMOs history.
I completely agree. On top of that, some of those cutscenes were just really epic lol. I'm not sure how much of a benefit that is to the narrative, but wow, was that enjoyable.
@@vicenarian340 Yeh absolutely. I think what the story did was document the journey. The boss didn’t matter to me, nor did the rationale. I just really enjoyed going around all of the regions, having cutscenes with old allies (even if some of them were goofy) etc. So when I say the story was everything I wanted, I think what I really mean is the journey that the story took us through was everything I wanted. Thanks for all your work documenting these expansions recently I’ve thoroughly enjoyed listening to you talk about them all! The only thing I have not experience is Voracious Resurgence. Without spoilers do you think that is worth resubbing to play through over a month or 2?
@@TheMadScientist369 To be honest, I'm still progressing through tVR myself. What it does for the lore is absolutely incredible though, and the story really picks up a little ways in. If you have a character geared for the story, and you really like the story up till tVR, I think it's absolutely worth it. I'm glad you've enjoyed the videos! I always found it unfortunate that there weren't really any video retrospectives for FFXI's content. So, after years of waiting, I decided to make my own.
If it wasn't for Rhapsodies of Vana'diel, I'd probably have put the game down after 100 hrs as I originally planned. But RoV gave me an end to work towards. And I'm so glad I did. Because there were so many great stories and characters along the way. I have a highlight of my favorite moments from the night I streamed the ending. I still go back and watch it from time to time just to remember the journey.
@@vicenarian340 Its going great. Its almost been a year now and I’m still really enjoying myself. I like how easily I can progress either alone or with friends when they are available. The reason I stayed away from MMOs for so long is because I didnt want to schedule all my game time around other people so XIV has been perfect for me
@@yeagercomics That is awesome to hear! Now that I'm done with this series, do you think this format of retrospective would work well for FFXIV and it's expansions?
@@vicenarian340 oh absolutely and I’d be overjoyed to watch. XIV’s expansion are far more cut and dry compared to XIs. I think you’ll have a much easier time parsing out what to cover for each expansion.
Oh no, no retrospective on TVR or the Add ons. Noooooooooooooo! T_T Loved this video quite a bit, as I have all of the other videos you've done on XI. Whatever you move onto next, I'm interested to see it! I've tried my best over the years to get people interested in XI. It's always an uphill battle. That's part of why I did a Let's Play for it, myself. Of course, I'm a nobody, and who watches LPs by nobodies anymore? Hah! I must admit your fakeout with Wail of the Void nearly made me mad. Not just for the fakeout nature of it, but for a split second my brain considered that you had not actually finished Rhapsodies, and I was ready to go off, lmao. Well played. I find the hardest thing about socializing in XI at the endgame to be fitting XI into my schedule. There are a lot of people I could reach out to join, but it's hard to go from playing it at my own pace to being bound down by a scheduled, routine group with its own demands. That and the newer you are, the more you have to rely on charity for people to accept you into their groups. While I"m not new to XI at all, my progress in its current climate is relatively fresh blood. Thanks for all the hard work. You're really talented Vicenarian!
Thank you, I really appreciate it! I knew the fake out would get to some people, it would certainly bother me if I was the one watching lol. I would love to do more videos on the addons and tVR, but I recently had a work schedule change that won't leave me with much time to make anymore substantive video essays. As bad as I hate to say it, I'll have to step away from TH-cam for a little while. Thank you for all the comments and feedback throughout these videos, I'm glad your initial pessimism didn't keep you from watching the RotZ video. I'm always glad to see your thoughts on each one!
The only MMORPG I can say I only ever LIVED in. After much drama with some ffxi friends in my FC in ffxiv, I went back to finish RoV with not even a fraction of my friends, and that ending tore me up after realizing my friendship with my old friends and XI a game ive played since 2002 and had a large impact on me was over. I admit I ugly cried.
I was excited to talk about endgame. I found it to be really incredible to get started in, and I'm still enjoying it right now. To add to what I said in the video, a lot of people claim that the only stuff FFXI offers after the story is Odyssey, Sortie, Divergence, and Master Trials. But after I finished the story, my Linkshell gave me a list (based on my jobs) of 20 different forms of battle content I could participate in for the 3 sets of JSE armor, Relic, Mythic, Empyrean, Aeonic, and Primes. Along with all of the great gear that drops of miscellaneous content. I asked if all of this content is actually still relevant for endgame gear, and everyone told me 'yes'. It's reasonable to say that FFXI's endgame doesn't get enough additions. I think everyone agrees, we all wish SE would take FFXI more seriously. But to say that FFXI has a tiny endgame? The only people who say that are people who've already spent the thousands of hours getting through a huge bulk of FFXI's endgame. It does have it's problems, (particularly Sortie IMO), but for what it's worth, I'm immensely enjoying it.
@@vicenarian340 oh people could talk for hours about how to improve the game in the modern era, it's fun conversation. The games development is still locked to the PS2 dev kit. Which SE has the last 12 known ones that exist and work. After the finish of the voracious resurgence conclusion. Matsui retired, and Fujito took over with half sized team. By my math it's about... 7 people now? Anyways I love this game and hope it remains for a long time. The last big investment they made was new servers (unsure if they installed yet though, game would need to be down a day or so) but it does at least keep the game in it's current state safe for a long long time. But improvements I'm curious what they can pull off with how few they have now, or even a new story
Disappointing to hear that the Cloud of Darkness video isnt in the works. I guess that means I will just have to play the game and learn the lore myself lol
Okay so I have now worked through all your videos after discovering your FFXI in 2024 primer, and I just gotta say, I adore these expansion reviews and supplemental guides. I haven’t been able to play much the last couple years, but your channel has me ready to jump back in (once I wrap up Dragon’s Dogma 2-which actually reminds me of an offline XI in many ways, coincidentally). One thing I would love to see you make is a “sandbagging” guide, because I went through the game in a very fast blitz to 99 and endgame, but your mentions of sandbagging the content really intrigues me and I’d love to know your recommendations for doing the same. Anyway! Great stuff, and I’m excited to see what you do next!
I'm really glad to hear you've enjoyed my videos! My work schedule has recently changed, leaving me with no time to work on videos. But I love the sandbagging video idea. I'll definitely start working on something along those lines. It's nice to hear that you're coming back! Are you returning to finish up some story, or for more endgame?
It's an expansion. And it's a masterpiece. One of the things that changes a player's perspective is whether they played the story before RoV came out or not. Because for those of us who went through history without Iroha, getting an entirely different experience on playing through RoV feels like a second chance to live through the world of Vana'diel.
This is a really great point. I feel fortunate to have played all of the expansions before getting into RoV, just by sheer ignorance of how RoV was structured. While I think this improved my experience of RoV, I can't imagine how it felt to long term players. Thanks for reaching out!
@@vicenarian340 I've been a veteran of XI for the last twenty years (been playing this entire time since NA release) and Rhapsodies was a rollercoaster of emotions for me and most of my linkshell. Revisiting old and familiar friends and locations, realizing my impact on Vana'diel and it's impact on me. The ending of rhapsodies hit me so hard, I was crying through most of the ending cutscenes. To me, FFXI will always be the best final fantasy and I will continue to enjoy it for as long as I'm able. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this wonderful experience. - Arianaos (Carbuncle)
I hate to see this series end. I’ve been telling my friend who I play final fantasy 14 with for years about how great FF11 is. I think when you said it’s the greatest game that’s never been played you nailed it. I am going to send my friend these videos to watch. I really think all of the Final Fantasy fans should see this series.
@@vicenarian340me too. I have been playing on and off since USA launch. I’m really hoping that they can get the game available on ps5. I know a lot of people wish it would come back to consoles. In the new ff14 expansion coming out the alliance raids will be about ffxi I’m hoping for 11 to come back to PlayStation when that happens.
Not like FFXIV. You can sync your level down to another player's level. So, you'll have to find someone who wants to sandbag the content with you. There's always the option of level your sub job to level 80-85 if you're still wanting to solo the older expansions.
The casual content complaint is nonsense as you have pointed out. The gameplay itself is actually harder and more complex than ever even before you factor in master levels at every level of entry level endgame. Players simply got better through the years.
Most of the people I've encountered who complain how the game is too casual are also sporting a full set of Artifact, Relic, and Empyrean +3s, a great spread of Odyssey stuff, and multiple REMAPs for multiple jobs > mlvl30. They have been on top of the gearing mountain for so long, they don't remember what it's like for us new players grinding HTBFs for our first set of JSE armor. Modern FFXI endgame is far from perfect. But I will never understand someone who pays a merc hundreds, just to turn around and say there is nothing of substance to work towards.
I love rhapsodies and I think it's a fitting ending to the entirety of ff11 (i have not finished voracious and i don't think I ever will). The rewards are useful (allow the use of 4th and 5th trust) and to see each expansion heroine again is great. The structure is weird though as you need to progress to a specific point in each expansion to continue rhapsodies but you dont have to beat the expansions. Ironically, rhapsodies is also the story that made me quit ffxi and start ffxiv because the ending is so satisfying that I felt that my time in ffxi was complete (Also, history repeated itself with Endwalker. I am very happy with how Endwalker ended that I feel my journey in ffxiv is complete and i don't want to play dawntrail)
That's interesting to hear! You're far from the only person I've heard that from. I ultimately love the fact that both FFXI and FFXIV tell a complete story without the ned to progress further. Depriving a story of an ending can greatly diminish it's impact.
Those jobs were added in Seekers of Adoulin. It's funny you mention them, I started writing a part of the script dedicated to those jobs before I realized I already have in a previous video haha.
Pretty braindead take to be honest. I put thousands of hours into both, they're just different. 14 has some of the best stories and moments in the franchise, but I guess it's easier to just be hater and miss your glory days?
@SPB___ who's hating? FF11 felt more like an actual final fantasy game, 14 feels like a casual MMO. Do you have nothing better to do than try and be a smart a** in a comment feed?
@@SPB___I agree, FF14 still very much has the qualities of a Final Fantasy game. They're both amazing games and I don't get why people can't enjoy both without bashing one or the other.
Trusts killed the experience. You just can’t compare the experience of leveling and exploring with players and the connections that brings to leveling with NPCs. Most of RoV was a huge QoL, but Trusts making it simple to get to every memorable part of the game, and not get to share those emotional experiences with friends in the moment just… it’s that kind of thing that is the reason why the private server populations often match the official servers’.
This is precisely why I never speak ill of private servers. There was an undeniable charm of playing a game that did not cater to casual players. Unfortunately, I have never been in a place in my life that would allow me to enjoy that kind of game though. The time demands are simply too much. For those who can play classic XI, every bit of it is worth it. That having been said, I've come across a lot of people who left FFXI around Abyssea, who greatly overestimate the degree to which the modern endgame is antisocial, or who think the game doesn't offer any challenging content. It's nothing like it was before. But it's also nothing like a lot of private server players assume it is. I'm not sure private server populations exceed the retail server populations. They definitely have a more stable playerbase, but retail also has massive turnover between new and returning players, and so much higher peaks. The available data on retail server population are too vague though, it's hard to draw conclusive answers.
@@vicenarian340 I greatly appreciate trusts, as someone who has limited time to play FF11 and can only play during the dead hours of the day, they make it so much easier to enjoy the amazing story of FF11, plus it feels really cool fighting alongside npc allies! I don't think there's any harm in adding trusts, accessibility is what will keep FF11 relevant in years to come
Great video as always!
When I started my free trial - many of the levelling assistance items are unaccesaible unless you have the full game - so I put 30 hours in to FFXI getting a slightly more 'classic' grinding experience before I plunged into the full release.
But even then - the cutscenes and through lines of Rhapsodies changed the pacing and made the entire experience feel far more streamlined and cohesive- it definitely 'felt' as though it was building to something, and it did so without feeling at the expense of the core storylines of the individual eras.
Re Iroha in FFXIV, whilst i 100% agree with your thesis that SE wanted to funnel players on to the next game overall, her mininquest in 14 actually feels more like a free advert to 14 players to go back and try 11. It's short, sweet and doesn't do anything significant with her character save to say 'hey, there's a whole other game out there where amazing stuff happens'. They replayed the event she appeared in January 24 and yeah - for once I would give SE the benefit of the doubt on this - it was a love letter to older experiences rather than an attempt to steal people from 11 and move forwards. Her role in 14 is no more than a cameo that's only available for 1 month every 2 to 3 years.
Your point about the crossover event is a really important rebuttal to my views expressed in the video. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for all the feedback you've given through the series, I felt like you deserved way more than just having your name in the credits. Can't wait for your next couple FF videos!
thank you for the shoutout
Your point about the community is spot on. I have so many stories about my first LS. Doing content and completely ruining runs for everyone involved. Yet, they never got mad or upset, they were always encouraging whenever I made mistakes.
Arciele, I think you underestimate your contribution to the scripts for these videos, you've been an incredible help. Thank you for all the encouragement and input, I can't thank you enough!
You have a talent to pull on my heartstrings. The greatest story never told, the greatest music never heared....... combined with this music....... I was close to crying. It throws me back into the best time of my gaming life. All the Adventures, all this friends I meet on the way. I just miss this time so much. This game deserves better.
I completely agree. It's a shame that FFXI hasn't yet been re-budgeted, remade or remastered. SE is squandering this IP.
Thank you for the kind words!
I think something important to mention about the music is the credits theme. It's a great rendition of Vana'diel march, the main theme of the game, which perfectly fits this closure to the story. Then the chorus hits and it's a sea of actual XI players singing. And it reminds me of all the adventures I've had over the years of playing and all the other people who were right there beside me, some who are still there, and some who aren't with us anymore. Still brings a tear to the eye when I hear it.
This is a phenomenal point. I wish I had elaborated on it more now that you mention it lol. Thank you for pointing this out!
I can't wait to watch this one when I get home. Love your videos and revisiting Vanadiel! Thanks!
Thank you, and welcome back to FFXI! I'm glad to hear you're looking forward to the video, I hope it doesn't disappoint!
A phenomenal end to a phenomenal series. All of the hard work and effort that went into this series is definitely seen and appreciated by many. Excited to see what you accomplish in the future. I know it will be great!
- Your Biggest Fan
This is my favorite comment, I deeply appreciate it!
This is dumb to say but your series has healed a piece of my heart. A piece that I knew was important but one no one seemed to regard. Even people who had once played the game and some who still do disregard how special it is. I defend that piece of my heart regardless. It feels rejuvinated and it is cathartic to watch someone develop an organic appreciation for XI. I still play it on and off. Sometimes more, sometimes less. When able I still show people that bespoke little broken down water mill in East Ronfaure. Or the little hill in Konschat Highlands with the two trees on either side in a carpet of pink and yellow flowers. Stuff I love and protect. It's a wonderful game
As an unrelated addendum, the game has recently added the option to delay the cutscenes that trigger the start of expansions so that they are less sudden and jarring to new players. You can now delay the Iroha cutscenes until you are ready!
Thank you for sharing, that's really great to hear! I hope these videos continue to encourage people to try out FFXI in the future.
Thanks for the heads up on that cutscene delay, I'll be honest, I wasn't aware of that!
yes it's worth protecting
Crazy how much this one game impacted me whole life. Played when I was 14 years old in the early 2000s and still play in my mid 30s. Never seems to leave me. Great video!
I appreciate it! It's great to hear this coming from a FFXI vet. Thank you for watching!
I've been playing since the launch of the asura server, i still play today. Rhapsodies of Vanadiel came out at a time i was actually considering ending my sub, and because of how good it was, i still have my sub today, despite being very casual. I wish more people could experience rhapsodies for themselves but i understand going back is difficult. Truly love rhapsodies though.
First of all, I wanted to say thank you for all those great content you created around Final Fantasy XI! I can't tell how happy it makes me to learn more about one of the Final Fantasy I unfortunately never got the chance to really play. As you said so well at the end of this video, I have been within those people that discarded FFXI and for me the reason was mostly because it is an online game... But I have to say, I felt like I missed out quite a lot of things from the FF lore by not playing FFXI; and I could tell this from Opera Omnia Dissidia that gave some much more weight to a few characters of FFXI such as Iroha, Selth'teus, Eld'narche, Kam'lanaut, Aphmau, Prishe, Shantotto, Lion, Lilisette, Arciela and so many others! And the fact I could watch your reviews and somehow get even more sense of it all, really made me want to play FFXI. I always adored the music from the game, and I feel Naoshi Mizuta is underrated while being as much of a music genius as all other composers from Square Enix games.
I had the opportunity to barely play FF11 a few years ago but didn't go that far. Your videos really make me want to go back to Vana'diel and explore this fantastic land that I barely visited. My biggest wish from Square Enix is that they remaster/remake the game to be more accessible (but as an option, not as a replacement) because I really believe it would help provide more interest to the game for those that never had the chance to even try it.
@@tossashow Thank you for the kind feedback, it really means a lot! I do truly wish for a remake/offline remaster too. The love and care that went into this game is just too great to leave alone.
There's no shame in not being able to play FFXI. While I cannot recommend this game enough, MMOs may not be for everyone. Especially in FFXI's case due to the immense challenge of the sign up process and the learning curve. But I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed learning about this game!
Not skipping ads to support. Congrats on 1,000!
Thank you, I've been binging your shorts by the way!
I first played FFXI back in the summer of 2003 when i was 12. It was the first MMO I had ever played, but I had been a fan of the FF series since FFIII(VI) on SNES. Since then I had played on and off up until about 2019. After finding this series, I've not only resubbed, I even started a fresh toon! It's so cool to see so many people still having an interest in this game. I friggen love it, haha. Thanks for the awesome series! Oh, I'm "Llocke" on Asura server, also.
That's awesome to hear, and welcome back to FFXI! I'll be sure to talk to you if I see you in game!
What is a “toon”? You mean a new character?
@@zedorian6547 yup! Sorry, lol, i guess that's probably an out dated term.
I am also playing XI... I quit for a year then come back every time. I love this game with passion. If you ever need help also in Asura, my character's name is Iehudiel (with i)
@@zaydraco much appreciated! My goal is to finally play through all the story content this go around.
Really like what Rhapsodies brought to XI tbh. It's been controversial, but the story elements are simply priceless and so engaging! Unifying all the storylines was not easy, but idk, there's something with Rhapsodies that just worked with me. Also, they took some story elements from Rhapsodies and brought them to DFFOO. Kind of rang like death toll considering that game was brought to an end of service.
It's a shame about DFFOO too. I heard a lot of good things about the game but I never got around to playing it.
I just so happened upon this video today. I did once try out FF11 years back, but never really got into it. I have gotten through 14 though and this video made me reconsider trying 11 again.
FFXI has a BRUTAL learning curve. If you're familiar with FF14, then you'll know about the ARR hurdle for new players to get past. FFXI has a hurdle 10x worse, and for most, it lasts for the base game and the first expansion. The stories aren't as good yet, the controls and UI are tough to get used to, and setting the game up can even be challenging. I'm sure, the mouse controls for this game have broken a peace treaty somewhere, it's that atrocious. So you'll be playing on either keyboard or controller.
But it is one of the greatest games of all time IMO. It has 300 hours of incredible story, the gearing and progression systems are incredibly rewarding, and its overall just a phenomenal FF game.
@@vicenarian340 well I am willing to learn. It might take me a bit, but it looks fun. I just probably should have some pals to play with on there. That's what I was missing the first time I tried it. I will keep in mind the controls and the learning curve. Thanks for the heads up on that. :3
FF11 is quite a different experience from FF14, but both are awesome! I hope you will become a fan of both!
Thank you very much for this tour of what I once experienced so long ago and what I never got to see!
@@ByrnEtch I'm glad you enjoyed it! It's always nice to hear a vet's perspective on these videos.
@@vicenarian340 What was experienced back then is wholly different to what I've now witnessed in it's predcessor FFXIV, ah those parties to level up throughout Valkurm Dunes and so on, for me there was something about that form of community and unwritten ettiquette to ensuring the members got their sufficient levels and time respected.
Late night farming with Dynamis, to the exploration of the magnificent world itself. Al'Taieu will forever stay with me (That music, my goodness.) - It felt like a rite of passage to unlocking the end game zones, Sky, Sea. As you've shown: I could revist this game quite easily, but I find cherishing the memory I had is enough.
This was an interesting watch; I appreciate your work on this series and look forward to what you do next! :)
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed!
these ffxi videos keep pushing me closer and closer to spending that afternoon installing the game
The game has a BRUTAL learning curve, from installing, to setting up controls, to navigating menus. But if you can get past that hurdle, you'll find a hidden gem. It's one of the best video games I've ever played. Thanks for watching!
I completed Rhapsodies of Vana’diel about a month ago. I feel it is one of the best “endings” to a FF I have ever seen. Such a powerful emotional ending and the music is incredible. You really should add a section to this video about the song at the ending credits - real XI players singing the Vana’diel March. So good. I have loved your retrospective on all of FF. Hope you make more content.
You're right. The ending is definitely the strongest in the series!
I'd love to continue doing videos, but I had a work schedule shift that's left me with very little time to work on videos. Hopefully, I can get back to it sometime soon though!
Still play this game to this day. Love this to bits with every fiber of my being! Props to you for making this video and I'm not sure why it just landed in my feed lol but I'm glad it did. Long live the developers, the players, and yes, even you bcnm40 ..
Thank you for all the time you spent making this series, while I've sadly had to skip the story sections of the videos as I'm still slowly making my way through the game, your passion for this game encouraged me to finally give FFXI a shot last year, alongside a few other channels that love this game. I don't know if you have any plans on making more videos in the future but I'll be sticking around for whatever else you may have planned!
Thank you, that's great to hear! In these videos, I try to incorporate as little spoilers as possible. But I can definitely understand wanting to go in completely blind.
I've recently had a work schedule shift that's left me with very little time to work on videos like these. But I have a couple smaller videos planned. Hopefully, you'll enjoy those too!
I just got done binging every video on your channel and I have to say you’ve done a phenomenal job and have pushed me to want to finally dive into 11. I’ve been a massive Final Fantasy fan my whole life and have been an avid 14 player since ARR. It would be truly awesome to see you do a series on 14 with your incredibly thorough and open minded style of video. Thanks for all your hard work it doesn’t go unappreciated!
Thank you, this means a lot! The learning curve of FFXI is absolutely BRUTAL, but if you can make it past the Nation missions and earlier content, you'll be able to enjoy everything I've discussed.
I actually plan on doing a series for FFXIV at some point this coming winter IF work slows down enough for me to manage that. But I can't guarantee anything.
it is nice getting recap of each story from your videos. hope you do a resurgence one
Love your videos and excited for this one. 🤩
Just my opinion and okay to be different from yours: I prefer the modern FFXI improvements over the way lvl 75 cap FFXI played.
FFXI was my first MMO. I loved playing with my friends in this world. We didn’t experience much of the story because it was so hard to do back then. All my friends left to go play WoW upon its release and I tried to stick it out in FFXI. After being told hundreds of times, I finally joined them in WoW just before BC released. Fast forward to this year and my friend from FFXIV talks me into coming back to FFXI with them. We have thoroughly enjoyed the first couple of expansions and are pushing through the rest. The advancements have made a previously inaccessible story accessible to me and my friend.
I completely understand how many people prefer the old style of FFXI that was much harder and depended on other players more. For me as someone who experienced both, I prefer modern FFXI.
Thank you for these great trips down memory lane and I look forward to more of these videos. 🫡
There is nothing wrong at all with different opinions. It's always enlightening to have a well-reasoned conversation with someone you disagree with.
That having been said, I too have a strong preference for the way modern FFXI is structured.
Thanks for reaching out, it's really appreciated!
Amazing, thank you for showing love to my all time favorite video game
No problem, I was happy to make them. Thank you for watching and reaching out!
Another great video, great job! Love your FFXI series!
Thank you, I'm happy you've enjoyed!
As a player with actual years of playtime for this game, NA beta tester, and one of the hosts of XI’s longest running podcast, I can say that your content has really been great to consume. XI is an entire chapter of my life that has at this point been more present in my life than hasn’t. I also love to see a player who didn’t play during the height of the game have such appreciation and reverence for it.
Would love to provide any information and insight into the game any time! ❤️ keep up the great work!!
Thank you for the feedback! It means a lot coming from someone with as much history with the game as you do have. What podcast do you host?
Love the video.
This story was everything I wanted from the game. I came back from a few years break to play through it, and I regularly come back to watch the cutscene which plays close to the end.
Fantastic tying of threads established across the MMOs history.
I completely agree. On top of that, some of those cutscenes were just really epic lol. I'm not sure how much of a benefit that is to the narrative, but wow, was that enjoyable.
@@vicenarian340 Yeh absolutely. I think what the story did was document the journey.
The boss didn’t matter to me, nor did the rationale. I just really enjoyed going around all of the regions, having cutscenes with old allies (even if some of them were goofy) etc.
So when I say the story was everything I wanted, I think what I really mean is the journey that the story took us through was everything I wanted.
Thanks for all your work documenting these expansions recently I’ve thoroughly enjoyed listening to you talk about them all!
The only thing I have not experience is Voracious Resurgence. Without spoilers do you think that is worth resubbing to play through over a month or 2?
@@TheMadScientist369 To be honest, I'm still progressing through tVR myself. What it does for the lore is absolutely incredible though, and the story really picks up a little ways in. If you have a character geared for the story, and you really like the story up till tVR, I think it's absolutely worth it.
I'm glad you've enjoyed the videos! I always found it unfortunate that there weren't really any video retrospectives for FFXI's content. So, after years of waiting, I decided to make my own.
thank you so much for making ffxi videos! they are so good...
No problem, I've enjoyed making them.
If it wasn't for Rhapsodies of Vana'diel, I'd probably have put the game down after 100 hrs as I originally planned. But RoV gave me an end to work towards. And I'm so glad I did. Because there were so many great stories and characters along the way.
I have a highlight of my favorite moments from the night I streamed the ending. I still go back and watch it from time to time just to remember the journey.
That's great to hear, and I'm glad you to to experience it! How has your playthrough of FFXIV gone?
@@vicenarian340 Its going great. Its almost been a year now and I’m still really enjoying myself. I like how easily I can progress either alone or with friends when they are available.
The reason I stayed away from MMOs for so long is because I didnt want to schedule all my game time around other people so XIV has been perfect for me
@@yeagercomics That is awesome to hear! Now that I'm done with this series, do you think this format of retrospective would work well for FFXIV and it's expansions?
@@vicenarian340 oh absolutely and I’d be overjoyed to watch. XIV’s expansion are far more cut and dry compared to XIs. I think you’ll have a much easier time parsing out what to cover for each expansion.
Oh no, no retrospective on TVR or the Add ons. Noooooooooooooo! T_T
Loved this video quite a bit, as I have all of the other videos you've done on XI. Whatever you move onto next, I'm interested to see it!
I've tried my best over the years to get people interested in XI. It's always an uphill battle. That's part of why I did a Let's Play for it, myself. Of course, I'm a nobody, and who watches LPs by nobodies anymore? Hah!
I must admit your fakeout with Wail of the Void nearly made me mad. Not just for the fakeout nature of it, but for a split second my brain considered that you had not actually finished Rhapsodies, and I was ready to go off, lmao. Well played.
I find the hardest thing about socializing in XI at the endgame to be fitting XI into my schedule. There are a lot of people I could reach out to join, but it's hard to go from playing it at my own pace to being bound down by a scheduled, routine group with its own demands. That and the newer you are, the more you have to rely on charity for people to accept you into their groups. While I"m not new to XI at all, my progress in its current climate is relatively fresh blood.
Thanks for all the hard work. You're really talented Vicenarian!
Thank you, I really appreciate it! I knew the fake out would get to some people, it would certainly bother me if I was the one watching lol.
I would love to do more videos on the addons and tVR, but I recently had a work schedule change that won't leave me with much time to make anymore substantive video essays. As bad as I hate to say it, I'll have to step away from TH-cam for a little while.
Thank you for all the comments and feedback throughout these videos, I'm glad your initial pessimism didn't keep you from watching the RotZ video. I'm always glad to see your thoughts on each one!
The only MMORPG I can say I only ever LIVED in. After much drama with some ffxi friends in my FC in ffxiv, I went back to finish RoV with not even a fraction of my friends, and that ending tore me up after realizing my friendship with my old friends and XI a game ive played since 2002 and had a large impact on me was over. I admit I ugly cried.
And the legend grows! Let's Fuccing Go!!!!!
I'm glad you've enjoyed!
Well done! I thought your retrospective was well thought out. And it's nice to hear a new players thoughts that hit some endgame.
I was excited to talk about endgame. I found it to be really incredible to get started in, and I'm still enjoying it right now.
To add to what I said in the video, a lot of people claim that the only stuff FFXI offers after the story is Odyssey, Sortie, Divergence, and Master Trials. But after I finished the story, my Linkshell gave me a list (based on my jobs) of 20 different forms of battle content I could participate in for the 3 sets of JSE armor, Relic, Mythic, Empyrean, Aeonic, and Primes. Along with all of the great gear that drops of miscellaneous content. I asked if all of this content is actually still relevant for endgame gear, and everyone told me 'yes'.
It's reasonable to say that FFXI's endgame doesn't get enough additions. I think everyone agrees, we all wish SE would take FFXI more seriously. But to say that FFXI has a tiny endgame? The only people who say that are people who've already spent the thousands of hours getting through a huge bulk of FFXI's endgame. It does have it's problems, (particularly Sortie IMO), but for what it's worth, I'm immensely enjoying it.
@@vicenarian340 oh people could talk for hours about how to improve the game in the modern era, it's fun conversation. The games development is still locked to the PS2 dev kit. Which SE has the last 12 known ones that exist and work. After the finish of the voracious resurgence conclusion. Matsui retired, and Fujito took over with half sized team. By my math it's about... 7 people now? Anyways I love this game and hope it remains for a long time. The last big investment they made was new servers (unsure if they installed yet though, game would need to be down a day or so) but it does at least keep the game in it's current state safe for a long long time. But improvements I'm curious what they can pull off with how few they have now, or even a new story
Cloud of Darkness video when? Great video, enjoy all the reviews. Thanks for the hard work. RoV is truly a great xpac.
Lol, I may get around to that one day. But it won't be anytime soon. Thanks for watching and reaching out!
Disappointing to hear that the Cloud of Darkness video isnt in the works. I guess that means I will just have to play the game and learn the lore myself lol
Okay so I have now worked through all your videos after discovering your FFXI in 2024 primer, and I just gotta say, I adore these expansion reviews and supplemental guides. I haven’t been able to play much the last couple years, but your channel has me ready to jump back in (once I wrap up Dragon’s Dogma 2-which actually reminds me of an offline XI in many ways, coincidentally).
One thing I would love to see you make is a “sandbagging” guide, because I went through the game in a very fast blitz to 99 and endgame, but your mentions of sandbagging the content really intrigues me and I’d love to know your recommendations for doing the same.
Anyway! Great stuff, and I’m excited to see what you do next!
I'm really glad to hear you've enjoyed my videos! My work schedule has recently changed, leaving me with no time to work on videos. But I love the sandbagging video idea. I'll definitely start working on something along those lines.
It's nice to hear that you're coming back! Are you returning to finish up some story, or for more endgame?
It's an expansion. And it's a masterpiece. One of the things that changes a player's perspective is whether they played the story before RoV came out or not. Because for those of us who went through history without Iroha, getting an entirely different experience on playing through RoV feels like a second chance to live through the world of Vana'diel.
This is a really great point. I feel fortunate to have played all of the expansions before getting into RoV, just by sheer ignorance of how RoV was structured. While I think this improved my experience of RoV, I can't imagine how it felt to long term players.
Thanks for reaching out!
@@vicenarian340 I've been a veteran of XI for the last twenty years (been playing this entire time since NA release) and Rhapsodies was a rollercoaster of emotions for me and most of my linkshell.
Revisiting old and familiar friends and locations, realizing my impact on Vana'diel and it's impact on me.
The ending of rhapsodies hit me so hard, I was crying through most of the ending cutscenes.
To me, FFXI will always be the best final fantasy and I will continue to enjoy it for as long as I'm able. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this wonderful experience.
- Arianaos (Carbuncle)
@@bulbasaur779 Thank you for sharing! I'm glad you've enjoyed some of my videos, it means a lot coming from a long term player.
I hate to see this series end. I’ve been telling my friend who I play final fantasy 14 with for years about how great FF11 is.
I think when you said it’s the greatest game that’s never been played you nailed it.
I am going to send my friend these videos to watch. I really think all of the Final Fantasy fans should see this series.
I'm glad to hear that! Hopefully, it convinces one of them to try the game lol.
@@vicenarian340me too. I have been playing on and off since USA launch.
I’m really hoping that they can get the game available on ps5. I know a lot of people wish it would come back to consoles.
In the new ff14 expansion coming out the alliance raids will be about ffxi I’m hoping for 11 to come back to PlayStation when that happens.
Does 11 have level sync for missions like 14 does? I'm lvl 99 and too strong for the expansions
Not like FFXIV. You can sync your level down to another player's level. So, you'll have to find someone who wants to sandbag the content with you.
There's always the option of level your sub job to level 80-85 if you're still wanting to solo the older expansions.
The casual content complaint is nonsense as you have pointed out. The gameplay itself is actually harder and more complex than ever even before you factor in master levels at every level of entry level endgame. Players simply got better through the years.
Most of the people I've encountered who complain how the game is too casual are also sporting a full set of Artifact, Relic, and Empyrean +3s, a great spread of Odyssey stuff, and multiple REMAPs for multiple jobs > mlvl30. They have been on top of the gearing mountain for so long, they don't remember what it's like for us new players grinding HTBFs for our first set of JSE armor.
Modern FFXI endgame is far from perfect. But I will never understand someone who pays a merc hundreds, just to turn around and say there is nothing of substance to work towards.
What song is playing during the master trials section?
@@FraCarroll Its called "Between Dreams and Reality" from the Rhapsodies of Vanadiel ost.
I love rhapsodies and I think it's a fitting ending to the entirety of ff11 (i have not finished voracious and i don't think I ever will). The rewards are useful (allow the use of 4th and 5th trust) and to see each expansion heroine again is great.
The structure is weird though as you need to progress to a specific point in each expansion to continue rhapsodies but you dont have to beat the expansions.
Ironically, rhapsodies is also the story that made me quit ffxi and start ffxiv because the ending is so satisfying that I felt that my time in ffxi was complete
(Also, history repeated itself with Endwalker. I am very happy with how Endwalker ended that I feel my journey in ffxiv is complete and i don't want to play dawntrail)
That's interesting to hear! You're far from the only person I've heard that from. I ultimately love the fact that both FFXI and FFXIV tell a complete story without the ned to progress further. Depriving a story of an ending can greatly diminish it's impact.
Haven't laughed about a final fantasy 11 joke meme and so long since the one @40:10 😂
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
🥔🥔🥔🥔
Thank you!
Voracious ressurgence review when?
Maybe I’m commenting too soon. You said no new jobs. What about runefencer and geomancer?
Those jobs were added in Seekers of Adoulin. It's funny you mention them, I started writing a part of the script dedicated to those jobs before I realized I already have in a previous video haha.
FF11 is a Final Fantasy MMO, FF14 is a MMO with a Final Fantasy name.
Pretty braindead take to be honest. I put thousands of hours into both, they're just different. 14 has some of the best stories and moments in the franchise, but I guess it's easier to just be hater and miss your glory days?
@SPB___ who's hating? FF11 felt more like an actual final fantasy game, 14 feels like a casual MMO. Do you have nothing better to do than try and be a smart a** in a comment feed?
@@SPB___I agree, FF14 still very much has the qualities of a Final Fantasy game. They're both amazing games and I don't get why people can't enjoy both without bashing one or the other.
Trusts killed the experience. You just can’t compare the experience of leveling and exploring with players and the connections that brings to leveling with NPCs. Most of RoV was a huge QoL, but Trusts making it simple to get to every memorable part of the game, and not get to share those emotional experiences with friends in the moment just… it’s that kind of thing that is the reason why the private server populations often match the official servers’.
This is precisely why I never speak ill of private servers. There was an undeniable charm of playing a game that did not cater to casual players. Unfortunately, I have never been in a place in my life that would allow me to enjoy that kind of game though. The time demands are simply too much. For those who can play classic XI, every bit of it is worth it.
That having been said, I've come across a lot of people who left FFXI around Abyssea, who greatly overestimate the degree to which the modern endgame is antisocial, or who think the game doesn't offer any challenging content. It's nothing like it was before. But it's also nothing like a lot of private server players assume it is.
I'm not sure private server populations exceed the retail server populations. They definitely have a more stable playerbase, but retail also has massive turnover between new and returning players, and so much higher peaks. The available data on retail server population are too vague though, it's hard to draw conclusive answers.
@@vicenarian340 I greatly appreciate trusts, as someone who has limited time to play FF11 and can only play during the dead hours of the day, they make it so much easier to enjoy the amazing story of FF11, plus it feels really cool fighting alongside npc allies! I don't think there's any harm in adding trusts, accessibility is what will keep FF11 relevant in years to come
Now if only those cheap bastards would localize dq10 online
It Is not a expansion
7:52. Thanks for reaching out!