There are definitely some very legitimate concerns. Some of Yoshi-Ps statements make it seem that all of the content is laid out openly, and that the only thing for players to do is choose from the menu. This would be especially unappealing to anyone who really liked FFXIs style.
What I mean is that secrets and mysteries to find are a big part of what fills the world and what makes it interesting. If Yoshi is saying that there will be none of that at all, than the games world may seem empty and boring, even if there's lots of content. Part of what made exploring in FFXI fun was the possibility of finding interesting or useful things, like a nice spot to farm certain items or exp at certain levels, or some obscure NM way out in the middle of bumble#### nowhere or in some side area deep in some dungeon. If there isn't even the possibility of finding anything like this, and going anywhere that a quest doesn't tell you to is a waste of time, than the world may as well be empty. I personally don't think it will be exactly like that, but I definitely understand why some people are concerned
The FATE system is a great idea if it isn't to the exclusion of any kind of mystery. I'm glad that they're weeding out camping and competition from the design of NMs [I know some aren't]. it makes sense to me to do this, but if FATEs are always announced zone wide than that would be somewhat disappointing to me. I hope at least that they also implement some smaller scale FATEs that are secrets, and are only announced to those who stumble upon their immediate location. I think that these kinds of situations would benefit from Fate mechanics that remove camping for the claim.
Wint wrote:
I remember my first experience with the Sea Horror. I love sh*t like that.
BartelX wrote:
Heh, I actually do too. I still remember going back on my thf and soloing him and dancing on his corpse as it disappeared... not that I'm still mad or anything. >.>
Edited, Apr 18th 2013 10:14pm by BartelX
I think this is telling. This aspect is often overlooked, but I think is a big part of what made FFXI great, and not just good. The fact that things happened to you in FFXI, years and years ago that you still remember vividly is telling. I'm not talking about Sea Horrors, but the idea that truly unexpected and interesting things can happen to you. imo, someone who would discard this because it might sometimes be inconvenient lacks an understanding of what true quality is [or doesn't care]. Let me clarify that by inconvenience, I'm referring to the possibility of being killed. that's not inconvenient, it's playing a video game. sometimes you die, even when you didn't want to.
The inconvenience of waiting on airship arrival/departure/flight times is a legitimate complaint though. From a design perspective, I'd think that it'd be possible to have it both ways. It may be tricky but it should be possible, maybe by having a first class option available after riding a given ship enough times that lets you bypass the wait times, while still having the full ride available for those who have time and/or want to utilize features such fishing, [on ship]FATEs, or just nice scenery and music for the ride.
FFXI could certainly have benefited from some more direction in some areas, or streamlining of certain features.
I think that it's definitely possible to have the best of both worlds though. There can be a path completely laid out and prepared for players to follow within a world that's also completely filled with secrets, mysteries and easter eggs. It will require that much more content though, so I can see why some people are skeptical. The game could follow a vertical growth path, while still having some horizontal growth options available at every step so that there's a verietly of viable gear at any given point.
I completely understand why some people are concerned though. Some of Yoshi's statements can be interpreted to suggest that these laid out paths will be to the exclusion of any hidden content. If I'm out ******* around in the game world and I'm told [indirectly through design] that if I don't have a quest logged for that area or have not been told to go there by an NPC, that I'm wasting my time by being there, that kind of kills it. It's interesting that some people don't understand this, but if your exploring, and you
know you're not going to find anything [besides the sites] it's not really as much fun.
At this point, I'm sure the game will be lots of fun, and that I'll enjoy my time with it for at least a good while [like many other good games that have come out in recent years]. What remains to be seen is if it will be as memorable and long lasting as FFXI. It would be a lot to expect for it all to be there at launch but I hope it's at least going in that direction.