Final Fantasy XI - PC PS2

Platform: PC, PS2
Company: Square-Enix
Current status: Game and Expansion packs out worldwide
Where to obtain: Hard to find in game shops but easily obtained online.

Now then, there are a lot of mixed views about this game, it appeals to some people but not others, just so you know it costs $12.95 a month to keep going (about £7), the expansion packs, Chains of Promathia and Rise of the Zilart are also recommended, read on...

Graphics:
The graphics of this game are simply astounding, now while some parts don't have as much detail as they could some areas of the graphics are just jaw-droppingly good. The landscapes are all beautifully drawn, sharp images and believable landscapes, the passage of time also gives you amazing graphics, the sunrises and sunsets are simply beautiful, I can sit and watch them for so long. The characters, both PC and NPC are very nicely drawn too, although the animations lack variety (unless you bring in the emotes) the actual models are amazingly details, you can even see how hairy the Mithra (cat-like race) are by looking at them. In combat though the graphics aren't all that good, admittedly the spell effects are amazingly well-done but there is no collision detection in the fighting, you swing your weapon and it goes right through the enemy regardless of if it hits or not, but some of the effects are brilliant such as the blades of grass, which you can really see very well if you zoom right in. Another nice feature is your character model changes according to what equipment you wear, obviously earrings and normal rings don't show but everything else you can equip actually shows up on your character model.

Sound:
The sound, well it's hard to miss, but there is no 'speech' in the game, nothing and no-one speaks to you, or in general, the only sounds you hear from living things are when the attack, when they get hit or when they die, that's pretty much it as far as speech goes. But each area of the world has its own unique piece of music to distinguish it from the rest, and it's all very inkeeping with the mood of the area. The battle music is no exception, as soon as combat is initiated you get the battle music starts to play, and it really suits the mood, very impressive. Not only that but you even get footsteps from everything including yourself depending on what kind of terrain they're on at the time, add to that the combat effects of the close-combat exchange, wether you get hit or you make contact with the enemy. The spell sound effects are nicely done as well, from the charging sound to the actual casting, each spell having their own sound, very varied and very good quality.

Gameplay:
Never-ending fun, the world of Vana'Diel is vast and varied, the way the game it set means that you have to interact with other players and form parties, it really helps to have a good mage-fighter-healer combo with extra support, although the EXP is divided so you don't get as much in the end as you would normally. There is plenty to do in the game, you can go on quests set by your home country, or do small errands for the local townsfolk, or you can simply travel the world, seeing the sights, or you can take up a craft, to make a variety of items from simpler components (and crystals of course).

Storyline:
Basically, civilisation was on the brink of extinction at the hands of a new race that came along, though they were beaten they have agreed to a peace treaty, but its only a matter of time before they attack once more, will the world be able to survive this time? Will you be the one to change the destiny of the land? Play and see!

In conclusion, this is a brilliant game, though it is somewhat time consuming and tends to rely a little too much on team play rather than solo, while that's not bad it seems to put some people off. There is a good variety of classes to play as with many secret jobs to find and unlock, but that is something you have to find for yourself.

I hope you found this review helpful and informative.