If you like your MMORPG experience with more of a Japanese RPG flavor, this is where you'll want to be.

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Product Description

In Final Fantasy XI Online, 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! Step into this world 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. 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. How you play is up to you -- the possibilities for adventure are limitless. Complex yet well-balanced battle system that works for beginners and experts alike - perform strategic attacks using magic, job abilities, and weapon skills Participate in special quests or missions to unlock exciting new jobs such as Dark Knight, Summoner and Ninja Playonline viewer software contains communication tools, access to support, customization tools, and games like Tetra Master Card game from Final Fantasy IX Includes Rise Of The Zilart expansion pack, with new areas and features to explore - Incredible landscapes including mountains, forests, ice plains and more

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1191 in Video Games
• Brand: Square Enix
• Model: 662248906027
• Released on: 2006-04-18
• ESRB Rating: Teen
• Platform: Xbox 360
• Dimensions: 2.00 pounds

Features

• The first cross-platform massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) which allows gamers to connect to the same gaming world-whether they are playing on Playstation 2, PC or XBOX 360
• Live in a persistent world with time and climate changes that range from full day/night cycles to desert sandstorms, thunderstorms, fog, and snow
• Form parties by utilizing various integrated communication tools, including easy-to-use Playonline Chat and Playonline Mail
• Explore over 100 areas, from forests and ice plains to castles and dungeons
• Customize characters with a host of physical traits and jobs -- gain the ability to equip and switch support jobs at any time

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Customer Reviews

Final Fantasy XI: Good but not Amazing
I have logged over 150 hours with Final Fantasy XI. It has an addictive leveling system, engaging quests, and fun community. However the graphics in the game are not awe-inpspiring, leveling quickly becomes very hard, and novelty starts to wear thin.
I love this game and the world of Vanadiel, so it is hard for me to be honest about its faults; faults that have even induced me to take several month breaks from the game. First, you lose experience when you die, and can even level down, which has more than once made me throw my controller with considerable force. Second, after you reach certain levels, lower level monsters now grant you no expereince points, forcing you to fight harder and harder monster and nearly requiring a party to do so. 3) The path for the story often moves along steadily and then suddenly throws a nigh impossible battle in your path forcing you to turn aside for weeks to level up enough (or recruit enough friends) to get by.
If you stand to face some extremely frustrating moments you will engage in one of the greatest MMORPGs ever. The art style, the weapons/armor, the story, and the people who play this game rock. It is an experience I am glad I became a part of.

Let's Clarify
I had never played this game on the PC or XBox 360 before I purchased it, so I was definitely apprehensive. I asked around and none of my friends had played either format, so no help there! They were, however, playing WoW and described the game to me, how the monthly fees work, etc.

After watching one of my friends play for two hours straight in a large party of characters defeating one of the "bosses", I thought it may be something I'd enjoy to consume time or maybe just get into.

The reason I bought this game is due to my interest in FF since the games were first introduced on Nintendo - loved them! To me, being a part of the world I had been so interested in years ago seemed pretty cool. After purchasing this game I liked it so much that I went out and purchased the PC version so I can play on a laptop when I'm away from home.

If you are thinking about buying this game, please let me provide you with simple advice:

1. This is NOT a "hack-n-slash" game where your only objective is to kill monsters. There are skill progressions, sub jobs, advanced jobs, crafts and plenty of missions and quests to keep you busy for a LONG LONG time.

2. Yes, there are online fees for FFXI. It's on the back of the box stated clearly. Do you HAVE to get an XBox Live Gold account? NO! Silver members also get to play but only have to pay the fee for the FFXI server.

3. So what's the complaint about $13.00/month to get updates, play with thousands of other people and have great support from Sqare Enix (who also deals with cheaters) and be able to play with an XBox Live Silver account? You'll hear none from me!

3. The graphics aren't superb like the newer game titles, but it was released in 2003! What do you guys expect? I appreciate the difference in HDTV format and updated sound enough to play it on the 360.

4. I didn't know that a USB keyboard was required to play the game, but the set I bought for my PC worked fine when plugged into the USB port on the console.

5. I've been playing for two months now and have made hundreds of online acquaintences from other countries and have enjoyed the tatics used to play the game. I plan on making it a mainstay in my free-time.

P.S. - If you don't have enough intellect or are too young to play Age of Empires or other in-depth stragegy games, I wouldn't suggest this game to you as it's not "easy".

READ BEFORE PURCHASE!! VERY IMPORTANT
I just wanted to post this to let customers know NOT TO BUY used copies of the game, or betas. I noticed one person selling the beta, it will not work, that is a rip off. The beta stopped working April. Also, some people have said they installed it and decided against playing, or that they just played a little bit. Loading this game onto your xbox latches that game onto that particular console, once you use the enclosed codes no other system can use it.

Therefore, if you buy a copy that has had its codes used, you will spend 5 hours loading the game and then come to find that you bought the instruction book. The game's codes will not work and you will be unable to play tha game. The people selling used copies should know this, it says it all over the box and book and it is dishonest to sell such an item used.