Final Fantasy XIV is out locally this Friday and since Final Fantasy XIV is known to be rather difficult to get into, I decided to gather some choice info to hopefully make your grand entrance into Eorzea a little smoother.
1. PC Requirements
First off, this game is a BEAST, and needs an equally ferocious PC to play it. If you have not upgraded in a while, best bite the bullet and upgrade NOW, or be sorely disappointed.
Here is the link for the official benchmark – 172mb. It should give you an idea of how well your PC will handle the game. I have read however that even if you get adequate scores from the benchmark, the game requires a lot more in reality to run smoothly.
Recommended System Requirements:
OS Windows 7 32 / 64 bit
CPU Intel Core i7 (2.66) or higher
RAM 4GB or more
GPU NVIDIA GTX 460 or better with 768MB or more
ATI 5870
2. Monthly Subscription
There is a flat fee of $9.99 (R70) per month to play, but you are only given access to one character slot. Unlike most MMO’s that offer multiple character slots, you will have to pay an additional $3 (R21) per additional character slot. Alternatively there is an option to buy additional slots at $1 which can only be used for storing items.
This may seem greedy from Square Enix of the developers, and perhaps it is, but Final Fantasy XIV offers a system whereby one character can level ALL the available Jobs, changing them at will. Unlike most other games needing multiple characters to experience the full array of classes on offer, you can access them all on one character in Final Fantasy XIV.
3. Final Fantasy XIV is Primarily a PvE Experience
Final Fantasy XIV focuses largely on the PvE experience. So if you find you cannot live without getting your PvP on, perhaps play another PvP-centric game. This is not to say there is no PvP at all, there is a degree of PvP, but it is highly unlikely to be a great focus.
3. Which Job to start with?
It is suggested you start as either a “Disciple of War” (Melee Jobs) or “Disciple of Magic” (Caster Jobs). The reason for this is they start with some decent gear as opposed to the Disciple’s of the Hand or Land (both being crafting Jobs). Starting as any of the Disciple of War Jobs is considered the easiest option for beginners, this is due to them being more robust than the casters constituting the Disciples of Magic.
You can ultimately go with what you like, and remember you can try out any job at any time on a character, but it is best to focus on the combat orientated jobs initially for ease of access. It is said you can even play this game fully just being a crafter.
4. Game Controls
There is no jumping in this game.
The control setup for this game is very odd especially if you have never played Final Fantasy XI. It was likely designed with a controller in mind, so it may take some time to get used to the setup since it does not resemble anything you have likely played before. A USB controller is recommended by Square Enix, but the key to mastering the controls will be patience.
Early on expect to learn how to make use of macros. They are fairly simple to create, and endlessly useful considering how clunky the game controls can be. Here is a link to making some basic macros:
5. No Auction House System
Right now the game does not have a consolidated means to sell and buy from other players (and may never have). A system is in place whereby you can hire Retainers from the local tavern to sell items. Think of it like a Bazaar, except you can create your own vendor to sell to others. If you are in the market to buy, check others’ Retainers at the Market Wards to see what they may be selling. There are already talks about streamlining this system, giving it more structure in the near future.
6. Documentation
There is a distinct lack of provided information for this game in the manual. This is done intentionally with the purpose of making players experiment with the gameplay mechanics. Square-Enix hopes that this will create a community that is more inclined to work together. So be ready to do a lot of reading on different sites, and don’t be shy to ask fellow players for some help.
Here are some useful resources to learn more about the game:
A Database which also has a function so sell items to others
7. Don’t Focus on one Job – Diversify
Final Fantasy XIV utilizes a fatigue system. This means that over time you will gain less and less experience from quests and kills up to a point where you will receive nothing at all. This system seems harsh (because it is). However, it was put in place to prevent people from leveling too fast. It basically forces one to switch to leveling other Jobs, since each Job has its own separate fatigue bar. This is not a bad thing since switching to other Jobs nets access to new skills. Skills gained from a Job can be accessed by any of the other Jobs, mixing and matching them at will. Leveling multiple Jobs will give you access to more options and versatility in the long run.
8. Looking to Role-Play?
Besaid is the unofficial Role-Playing Server. So head on over there if you’re planning on getting your ‘role’ on.
In Closing
Like Final Fantasy XI, Final Fantasy XIV is a hard-earned experience, not for the faint of heart. Expect to work very hard for all your gains. Square-Enix has created a very, dare I say it, hardcore experience for players. If you are expecting World of Warcraft, and its ethos of ease of access, then you are in for a rude awakening in Final Fantasy XIV.
Take your time, be patient and don’t be lazy on the footwork, and Final Fantasy XIV is likely to be an extremely rewarding experience.
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