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Final Fantasy XI

EMAIL PRINT xbox360

6.9 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 25 critic reviews
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Based on 21 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Square Enix

Developer: Square Enix

Genre(s): Massively-Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game

Players: Thousands

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: April 18, 2006

Summary

The world of Vana'diel stands at the brink of war. Three powerful nations, united in their plight against the beastmen forces, look to their last hope -- brave adventurers like you! Will the beastmen gain the upper hand, and thrust the once-peaceful Vana'diel into another war? Step into the world of Vana'diel and journey forth on grand adventures with players from all across the globe! Final Fantasy XI is the first online game in the award-winning FINAL FANTASY series. How you play is up to you, with limitless possibilities for adventure. Set out on your own to discover the countless secrets of Vana'diel, or form a party with your friends to purge the beastman forces and bring home sensational spoils! With the release of Final Fantasy XI for Xbox 360, Square Enix expands its cross-platform strategy, making the award-winning MMORPG available to a much wider audience across the world. The powerful next-generation capabilities of Xbox 360 provides a much more dynamic and visually impressive gateway to Vana'diel. In addition, players can finally experience Final Fantasy XI in high-definition and 5.1 channel surround sound, only on Xbox 360. Final Fantasy XI is accessible through the Xbox Live online game service. [Square Enix]

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

1UP

So whether you're an FFXI veteran or noob, rest assured that this story is far from over. Based on the evidence at hand, we're quite confident that it has only just begun.

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Gamer 2.0

It is also the most convenient form in which FFXI has ever been offered; you don't have a hard drive to buy (unless you got stuck with a core system), and all your expansions come in the same box.

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Xbox Evolved

With no actual way of finishing the game, Gamers can find hundreds and hundreds of things to do, and still not be able to put it down. [Beta review: to be updated]

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Gamers' Temple

All complaints and setup times aside, FF XI is one of the stronger MMORPGs out there, and when it comes to console MMORPGs (not PC), it may very well be the best.

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TeamXbox

In the end, the decision to purchase and play FFXI comes down to whether you’re interested in being a part of an MMO with some sacrifices, or if you’re willing to wait (perhaps for quite a while) until someone else makes a fresh MMO that pushes the Xbox 360 to its limits and truly feels like a “next-generation” game.

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Game Informer

It's not "World of Warcraft", but it's still a lot of fun. [Jun 2006, p.115]

XboxAddict

Final Fantasy XI is an impressive MMO/RPG, but really offers nothing new and exciting to the mix.

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Eurogamer

Even hardened FF fans can't escape the fact that this is little more than a solid, functional port of a four year old game. As potentially enjoyable as it is (if you put the hours in), and as much content as there is in this all-encompassing release (if you really put the hours in), things have moved on considerably in the MMO scene in the intervening years.

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GamerFeed

The game controls well with the Xbox 360 controller (aside from the d-pad issues), so if you can get over the lackluster graphics you should be able to enjoy yourself.

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Computer and Video Games

Final Fantasy XI is an acquired taste, and one that was built for playing on the sofa rather than on the PC. It's a pity that Square couldn't have served up something more ambitious for our first online RPG, but at least it means we get an RPG that's had three years of being knocked into shape. [Official UK Xbox Magazine]

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MS Xbox World

This isn’t at all a bad game but it is poorly presented on this platform, and to be perfectly honest it doesn’t belong on this platform, but if you’re really wanting to play this and you hate PC games then go ahead and buy it.

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360 Gamer Magazine UK

As an MMORPG, Final Fantasy XI is ace - in some ways fresher and funkier than "World of Warcraft," but as an RPG it pales in the light of "Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion." [Issue #8]

Talk Xbox

While FFXI is the most addicting game I’ve ever played, I will confess that it is an unfriendly place for newbs.

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IGN

It's a game that requires hours of dedication on a near-daily basis. This wouldn't be a problem if the game was better, but unfortunately it comes off as unnecessarily inconvenient, clunky, and just plain old on the Xbox 360.

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Game Revolution

Really the big reason to check out 360 FFXI is to play a decent MMO on your big honking TV for the reasonable $13 a month. Just know there are no HDTV advantages to speak of.

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Official Xbox Magazine

So it's dissapointing that instead of the mind-shattering experience that should properly claim "first MMO" honors, we get Final Fantasy XI--a port of a four-year-old game. [July 2006, p.78]

Electronic Gaming Monthly

Newbies will find themselves abandoned and bored on am ugly, lonely level treadmill that doesn't even introduce basic gameplay concepts. [July 2006, p.88]

AceGamez

Unfortunately, what has really painted my decision is the lack of 'next-gen' feel on this game, both graphically and in the gameplay.

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GameSpy

But if you're new the genre, you might want to know what you're getting into: a very, very demanding experience. Yes, it can be rewarding, and you might just make a lot of friends in the process.

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PALGN

Final Fantasy's appearance on the Xbox 360 is basically pointless. Unless you're a die hard fan of the title then it's advised you look elsewhere. There's nothing overly wrong with the game - it just hasn't dated well.

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Games Radar (in-house)

Despite its flaws and frustrations, FFXI's age gives it one thing that no other 360 game can match: massive amounts of content. You could easily lose 200 hours of your life (not to mention your spouse) during the first month of exploration.

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GameSpot

While this online role-playing game may have been a hit for the PC and PlayStation 2, it feels very awkward and entirely out of place on the Xbox 360.

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Games Master UK

As pricey as eating a golden chocobo egg and as fun as being pecked to death by its mother. [July 2006, p.82]

X360 Magazine UK

There's no sitting on the fence with Final Fantasy XI. It's a game you'll love or hate. Got infinite time? Got infinite patience? Then go for it. Otherwise? Steer clear. [Issue 7, p.94]

Cheat Code Central

FFXI is a very hard sell to anyone that is new to the franchise. The easiest word to describe it is drudgery, what with its excessive traveling times, difficult leveling structure, and level requirements for anything cool.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 6.9 (out of 10) based on 21 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Paulo x gave it a10:
Im very surprised to see how low metacritics score for this game is. I played thisfor a 1 1/2 years and it was great. There is so much content that it takes that long to explore most of it ^^. although the graphics are a bit dated, its a 7 year old game, FFXI provided me with more fun than most every other game on my 360. The community was good and people are willing to help new players learn how to play. the monthly fee is the only downside but the game is well maintained and updated frequently. I miss playing it but I had to move on. I agree with the other ppl who say that this game may not be for gamers who dont have much patience but for everyone else this is a great MMO for the 360 and one of the best games Ive ever played.

j r gave it a7:
There is a lovely game full of depth, underneath the huge learning curve and horendous monotony. If yo have the patience and the time (I DIDNT cause of my classes and work),its not to late to get this and have it take over your life. (for better or worse)

Giuseppe S. gave it a9:
This is a great game, i've been playing for 2 years and i loved it... Morris N. gave it a10: " let me tell you getting into this game require commitment! At first when I picked up this game I have no idea how to play except killing monsters. Then I discovered the Auction House, Fishing, Crafting, Moogle, and the enormous hugh world out there. It caters to not just mindless fighting but also other aspects of life. And most importantly, the balanced design of various job-class-race allows infinite combination of partying (especially if you get into skillchains.) The monthly fees took me some time to get used to, but the frequent updates/improvement/enhancement made it worth every penny." He basically took the words right out of my mouth, i love partys, missions, and helping my linkshell friends out... The Monthly Fees are a killer but its worth it.

Duncan O. gave it a10:
In my opinion most adults (out of high school ) seem to like the game more and the younger kids they just dont seem to have the patience nessesary to get really involed in this game.

[Anonymous] gave it a5:
Sorry, but this game is probobly a good system, I love all mmorpg's (except SWG, now.), but I just cant get the hang of the text system, I always have something funny to say, but on the xbox 360, it takes so long to type it that suddenly they are on a whole nother topic. until I can buy a xbox keyboard sold seperately, leave mmorpg's for teh pc's.

Jake gave it a10:
More people would like it if it wasn't for the fee.

Morris N. gave it a10:
Let me tell you getting into this game require commitment! At first when I picked up this game I have no idea how to play except killing monsters. Then I discovered the Auction House, Fishing, Crafting, Moogle, and the enormous hugh world out there. It caters to not just mindless fighting but also other aspects of life. And most importantly, the balanced design of various job-class-race allows infinite combination of partying (especially if you get into skillchains.) The monthly fees took me some time to get used to, but the frequent updates/improvement/enhancement made it worth every penny.

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Final Fantasy XI

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