Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn - Beta Phase 3 Impression: Phase 4 August
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I did this fabulous thing where I walked as a level 10 from Ul'dah to some level 30 territory in the shroud areas around Gridania and then finally talked to a chocobo guy and realized the cost of a ride was nearly nonexistent.
Had fun playing MGS in 14 avoiding high level enemies though.
we.are.the.armada
Member
Wow, nice! Hey, remember the "first" walk to Jeuno in FFXI? That was some serious sneaking
Okay. My impressions after two weekends of play, PS3 beta:
All in all, on a 10 scale, I'd give it a 7.5. It's a really good game with it's share of issues. The only thing really hampering it is the interface being so messy. I can get over that though, and I'm definitely gonna sub to it... I just don't know if I'ma get it for PS3 or PS4. Maybe PS4 because I could use the trackpad as a mouse to make navigating the interface easier...
EDIT: Add me on Ultros - Jani' Tha'lab
- Log-in screen - only Square knows how to make an already unbearable web interface even more unbearable. If you have a lengthy password and you use the system keyboard interface, it sucks even worse than normal, because the client doesn't remember your password. Might be a petty gripe, but a little convenience wouldn't hurt.
- Character creation - since I never signed up for the PC beta, I had to create a character from scratch. The options you have are pretty nice, and the various choices in race, classes/jobs, zodiac alignment, faction alignment and regional preference really add a lot to the overall lore. It could make for some creative mix-and-matching for gameplay purposes as well.
- Atmosphere - Man... this is the most "fantasy" themed Final Fantasy since XII. In fact, while there's fan service from every FF in some form in this game (I love the Materia addition to armors), it's obvious that XII was the inspiration for this game. The music is fantastic, and really adds to the majestic feel of the game. Every area seems like it's a living, breathing world.
- Graphics - Really good. Every area has a different design and look to it, but at the same time, you can notice the inspiration from past FF's in every area. Ul'dah, specifically, reminds me of Rabinastre in XII. Textures look good, the lighting is even better. Some occasional pop-in, but that's to be expected in a game like this.
- In-game interface - The PS3 hotbar is fantastic. It's nearly flawless in execution. Where it falls apart, however, is when navigating menus and switching between different things on-screen. Having to press Select to be able to scroll the chat bot, or look at the map, or switch between the Buy and Sell menus when at a shop, it can really get messy. In fact, I really recommend using a full QWERTY keyboard with this game at least to alleviate having to select the chat with the controller. The Start menu is a little too convoluted for me, as the actual Game Settings are buried beneath a bunch of other shit. Selecting things in your inventories can get a little convoluted, nothing game-breaking though. In other words, while the actual gameplay controls are tailored to gamepad use, the rest of the game isn't.
- Gameplay - I love it, for the most part. I had very little trouble from a pick-up and play perspective, as the PS3 hotbar made it painless. The only trouble I had was whenever a FATE started, as its hard to select the enemy directly in front of you when chaos is happening everywhere. Speaking of FATE's, I love them for the most part, as they make grinding a little bit easier. In fact, that's probably my only negative when it comes to battling and character progression: it's definitely a grindfest at times. I remember back when I was at Level 9, it took me forever to get to 10 so I can do my Gladiator's Guild quest, and I still had to level-grind to 12 for me to even beat that quest; however, it does seem to get easier at leveling once you hit level 10, as it only took and hour or two to get to 15. Haven't tried any RAID or Arena quests because I'm still having trouble finding a party. It also really sucks that there's not enough variety in the Armors, Weapons, and Clothing to avoid seeing some of the same items everywhere, but I understand it's just a beta, and dyeing armor helps break some of the monotony.
- Story - I don't really know what's going on, to tell you the truth, but I'm getting that XII vibe again where everything is gonna make sense once you hit the middle of the plot. Since it's just a beta, however, that probably won't happen. I will say this: the dialogue is written fantastically. I love how the verbiage is different depending on which region/area you're in.
All in all, on a 10 scale, I'd give it a 7.5. It's a really good game with it's share of issues. The only thing really hampering it is the interface being so messy. I can get over that though, and I'm definitely gonna sub to it... I just don't know if I'ma get it for PS3 or PS4. Maybe PS4 because I could use the trackpad as a mouse to make navigating the interface easier...
EDIT: Add me on Ultros - Jani' Tha'lab
Unknown Soldier
Member
Amazing how I was just writing about this. Ultros is available for people who want a fresh start!
Wow, this plays so much better than it did before. Still don't know if I'll be an active subscriber but I'll put in a month or two of this next time I'm bored and needing something to play that isn't on my backlog. Still has a few little interesting design decision and is a touch confusing here and there (how do I know where all the possible FATEs are for example?) but much better than it was before the changes!
LowParry
Member
I'm thinking of rolling Ultros. It seems most of the GAF players are staying there and our community has been damn good. I certainly hope the Legacy playesr consider this. My main concern is population on Legacy servers. I'm still on the fence about it all.
elementalsin
Member
I'm sure this has been answered dozens of time by now.... Can you use the gamepad hot bar system on the PC version? I actually really enjoy the pad usage on the PS3 beta, but am not feeling the graphic and UI downgrade (opinion)
QisTopTier
XisBannedTier
Why would the legacy players want to throw away all their work and friendships and start over? They can still see all the content *they have to anyways* and they can level ARC or what ever classes they didn't level before if they had any they didnt to play through ARR's low level content. Some people might not feel a strong connection with the other players. But as far as I know most of the old FF14 players are a close community.
If you feel like they will have a sense of elitism or whatever then well can't do much about that outside of make fun of them if you see any of the cocky ones sucking
Yeah you can.
You dont, its pretty much just an exploration thing. I guess you could look on your map and just dash towards it.
Alright anyone know how to do the quest "If Ye Lose Faith" in Central Shroud I believe. You're supposed to lay three flowers at 3 locations. 2 of them are easy. The third spawns 2 enemies at level 10 each. I had some trouble but I managed to kill them both, yet when I approached the place to initiate the action they spawned again. I can't finish the action because they interrupt me. How do I do this? Do I need another player or something?
PopInnovation
Neo Member
Is that the quest where the slugs spawn? I popped them then as fast as I could laid the flowers, got lucky without being interrupted.
Just remember with slugs you can run outside the casting range of one of their moves that hits quite hard.
QisTopTier
XisBannedTier
You need to not move away from the area, run up to the altar when you fight. When you step out of the barrier thing it resets after you kill the mobs.
elementalsin
Member
Awesome, thanks. I think I see a PC version in my future then... or perhaps wait for the PS4 version with hopes that it's closer to its big brother. Do we have any time frames for the PS4 version at all?
Here are some images of my character
Last set from this game.
The lack of AA is killing me. Even after downsampling the jaggies can cut.
What kind of settings do you use in game? I'm on a GTX 670 and I5 3570k at 4.2 ghz also with 8 gigs of ram. My resolution is 1920x1080 and I think I'm getting worse performance than you. Is my video card holding me back? Do I need to overclock more? Is it because the game won't let me enable occlusion culling? Also, thanks for the SweetFX settings!
I'm also running with 4x SGSSAA like you.
I can already tell legacy servers going to suck, all low lvl areas almost dead, impossible to group up for story missions if you not fast, and everyone already rolling with their people... That's how it's been on Masamune server, even the chat is dead.. While in new server like ultros all areas are packed and easier to group up. Even the chat is active. I stopped playing my legacy cause its now impossible to group up for the gridania dungeon... Everyone moved on already. Because of this reason SE should let legacy go to new servers. I did fill application so my character can go from Masamune to sargatanas.
PshycoNinja
Member
I have crossed a lot of people with <<GAF>> in their names on the Ultros server. It's pretty cool crossing people and going "Hey! I probably know that guy."
QisTopTier
XisBannedTier
I just harass them by asking what's GAF?
Boss Man
Member
Some website where people go to discuss not playing video games.
Oh yeah makes sense. Unfortunately the only way I could kill them both is by kiting, so I guess I'll come back in a few levels (only 11 now).
ZiZ
Member
Why would the legacy players want to throw away all their work and friendships and start over? They can still see all the content *they have to anyways* and they can level ARC or what ever classes they didn't level before if they had any they didnt to play through ARR's low level content. Some people might not feel a strong connection with the other players. But as far as I know most of the old FF14 players are a close community.
If you feel like they will have a sense of elitism or whatever then well can't do much about that outside of make fun of them if you see any of the cocky ones sucking
this.
I'm also surprised that many new players are starting on a new server.
Northeastmonk
Gold Member
i signed up for the beta, now just to be accepted. I probably wont get in. At least that's what i think.
i have the original sitting from amazon, but i'd rather wait for the large update. this sucks.
i have the original sitting from amazon, but i'd rather wait for the large update. this sucks.
QisTopTier
XisBannedTier
It makes sense, there is a stigma attached that they will be behind and have to play catch up with the rest of the server. Honestly I'm looking forward to it. Having an established econ is a good thing not a bad thing imo. Finding parties to do content with will be irrelevant to me as I have 5 friends starting the game with me and 2 the cross server dungeon finder.
Besides I want my Goobbue.
Everything is set to maximum in game for me. the 580 and 670 are pretty much identical as far as I know (on paper) but I've seen a few threads popping up about the 600 series of cards in regards to performance in FFXIV. Might want to check it out and see what's going on.
Just finished all the main quest content for beta (about lvl 22), now I'm sorta aimless.
BTW guys do your hunting logs early, don't do what I did and mostly ignore it, because the second level in the hunting log requires mobs and bosses from your home nation's first dungeon.
A fact that dawned on me after I was lvl 22 and finished the beta main quest chain, realizing I missed out on a good 2 levels worth of exp by slacking off with the hunting log and now i have to try and find a party for coppermine (or 2 depending on if the party does a full clear or not) :/
Plus side is that at lvl 22, THM combat has really come into its own, I even healed coppermine on my THM with the lvl 2 Cure spell from CNJ, ridiculous.
BTW guys do your hunting logs early, don't do what I did and mostly ignore it, because the second level in the hunting log requires mobs and bosses from your home nation's first dungeon.
A fact that dawned on me after I was lvl 22 and finished the beta main quest chain, realizing I missed out on a good 2 levels worth of exp by slacking off with the hunting log and now i have to try and find a party for coppermine (or 2 depending on if the party does a full clear or not) :/
Plus side is that at lvl 22, THM combat has really come into its own, I even healed coppermine on my THM with the lvl 2 Cure spell from CNJ, ridiculous.
I've been playing on Ultros just because I like FFVI, so it's been cool to see a bunch of GAFfers in the game! I'd join up, but I am constantly rolling new characters to get the appearances down perfectly and just to check out different races, looks, and classes.
Weird - I also built my PC a couple of years ago but I have a 560ti and my i5 2500k is at 3.2Ghz (with 8 gb RAM) but I mostly get 60 fps unless I'm in a busy town, at which point it drops to 45-50. I'm thinking of overclocking a little bit to stay more consistent, but I'm always paranoid about heat.
Weird - I also built my PC a couple of years ago but I have a 560ti and my i5 2500k is at 3.2Ghz (with 8 gb RAM) but I mostly get 60 fps unless I'm in a busy town, at which point it drops to 45-50. I'm thinking of overclocking a little bit to stay more consistent, but I'm always paranoid about heat.
QisTopTier
XisBannedTier
Yeah, the game wont let you progress either until you learn the basics of your class so it will help you get out of that "I think I suck" state of mind once you clear it. The community is helpful as well.
Main story quest leads to the dungeons
LowParry
Member
Why would the legacy players want to throw away all their work and friendships and start over? They can still see all the content *they have to anyways* and they can level ARC or what ever classes they didn't level before if they had any they didnt to play through ARR's low level content. Some people might not feel a strong connection with the other players. But as far as I know most of the old FF14 players are a close community.
If you feel like they will have a sense of elitism or whatever then well can't do much about that outside of make fun of them if you see any of the cocky ones sucking
Population is all I'm worried about in the end. Legacy seems like a gamble while a new server is almost guaranteed. The players I'm happy with in GAF. Some really great people playing. Either way, I'm going to remain neutral about it for the time being. I understand Legacy folks want their characters still. I get that. Why not just move on over? Can't you transfer over to a new server or is that not possible until later on?
Nope, cant transfer old characters to the new servers. I'm staying put since I don't think it will matter in the long run.
What's with all the server switching talk. Just because you re-roll doesn't mean you still have to switch. It doesn't mean I'm gonna get rid of my character now either.if anything ill run a second character.
I don't play many games anymore mostly just mmos and I'm also in no rush So i don't see the big deal really. Red Dot is not all legacy and they certainly aren't all gaffers there is plenty of people to play with at all levels.
Even more now using and using 1.0 as an example doesn't work because for the longest time it was lousy its no surprise people left. Your right the RD group is a close community and although there was plenty of ups and downs there was also a lot of fun. If anything ill run an alt from time to time.
I don't play many games anymore mostly just mmos and I'm also in no rush So i don't see the big deal really. Red Dot is not all legacy and they certainly aren't all gaffers there is plenty of people to play with at all levels.
Even more now using and using 1.0 as an example doesn't work because for the longest time it was lousy its no surprise people left. Your right the RD group is a close community and although there was plenty of ups and downs there was also a lot of fun. If anything ill run an alt from time to time.
Is it just me or are ranged classes way less fun than melee classes in this game. I'm usually a Mage player but after looking at all the skills I'll unlock on the course to 50 it appears you always just spam damaging attacks and tank monsters. Is there really nothing like Frost Nova or Blink to help you create distance to kite mobs? If not... wow.
Takeda Kenshi
blew Staal
Crushed all the content in the beta as a Lancer primarily, enjoyed it. Ul'dah theme kicks my ass three ways till Sunday.
Gintoki313
Banned
Being a conjurer is pretty hard when trying to heal people using the controller controls. I'm lvl14 with mine right now and when I'm trying to target someone to heal them, I usually can only target NPC's, enemies, or items. I was in a fate match and was trying to heal the person taking all the damage and it took me about 3mins of trying to target him with the controller before I just grabbed my mouse and clicked on them myself.
It works sometimes when there's usually open room and only 1 enemy, but when there's lots of items or other things around. Targeting someone with the controller gets hectic. Just to let ppl know I do know how to switch targets with the lock-on button, and using the control pad.
Not a huge problem but just something that occurs often. Any tips, or should I just use the mouse for targeting a player?
It works sometimes when there's usually open room and only 1 enemy, but when there's lots of items or other things around. Targeting someone with the controller gets hectic. Just to let ppl know I do know how to switch targets with the lock-on button, and using the control pad.
Not a huge problem but just something that occurs often. Any tips, or should I just use the mouse for targeting a player?
Gintoki313
Banned
I'm playing on PC so I'm not sure if they make the controls different on the PS3 version. On here the r1 is used to select 8 different skill slots, so it's not used for targeting.
Thanks for the suggestion though.
EDIT: Also could someone send me an invite to the GAF guild or free company. My name is Funny Dude and I'm on Ultros. I've been trying to send a tell to the people in the OP but it won't work for me for some reason. I type everything correctly but it says their bouund by duty or something.
Thats the one thing i'm weary of. People just sticking to their LS and FC instead of striking out and communicating with everyone. Btw Sargantas is a legacy server too
Anyroad (i'm going to slip and say that in real life at some point) we'll see how things are once things really get started. Gil is much easier to come by now...and items in inventory or not...I think its still going to take awhile before people settle on the value...of anything.
SuperLurker
Member
Had a couple of crashes back-to-back tonight. The first time it just went black and took me straight back to the XMB. I started the game again and then it froze up immediately and I had to do a hard reset. It was fine after that, but I don't think I am going to take anymore chances. I got to level 12 and got a good feel for the game anyway.
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