My Journey Through Final Fantasy XI

In 2007, I bought Final Fantasy XI for the Xbox 360 but never played it. By 2009, I had set a goal to complete all the mainline Final Fantasy titles but skipped XI after hearing rumors of a mobile remake in 2019. Fast forward to 2024, after years of procrastination, I finally decided to dive in last summer. I'm glad I did. This is my review of a vast, challenging, and rewarding journey.

The Basics

Final Fantasy XI takes place in the expansive world of Vana’diel. Like any good MMO, character creation allows you to choose a race and one of six starting jobs. While starting as a Thief might make life easier, there’s no wrong choice since you’ll unlock and use up to 22 jobs as you progress. I played six jobs to max level throughout my adventure.

While the game offers incredible depth, the controls are clunky. Targeting enemies or interacting with objects felt cumbersome at times. Unlike modern MMOs with intuitive ability bars, FFXI relies on small HUD menus. However, macros—a system for assigning commands to hotkeys—help mitigate these frustrations. Learning and utilizing macros (I used about 18 regularly) is crucial for an enjoyable experience.

Systems and Complexity

As a 20+ year-old game with ongoing updates, FFXI features an overwhelming number of systems, expansions, and mechanics. It’s daunting at first, but comprehensive online resources and a helpful player community make navigation manageable.

Windower: Windower, a third-party tool, is a must-have. It optimizes the game’s performance and allows plugins that improve the HUD, add quality-of-life features, and streamline gameplay. Plenty of tutorials exist to help you install and configure it, and I highly recommend using it.

Fireworks over San d'Oria

Exploring Vana’diel

Vana’diel is massive, with dozens of zones and three starting cities. While each city offers a unique flavor, your starting location won’t drastically affect gameplay since you’ll visit all three frequently.

Traveling across zones can take time, but teleportation systems—like Home Points and Survival Guides—make it easier. These points need to be discovered first, so exploring thoroughly and saving up Gil to buy maps is highly recommended. Other options, like airships, mounts, and party-based teleportation, further simplify navigation.

Trust System

Introduced later in the game’s life, the Trust System allows players to summon NPC allies to aid in combat. Trusts make soloing the main story and expansions entirely feasible, as the right combination of allies can overcome nearly any challenge. I played through all expansions solo using Trusts, which let me enjoy the game’s full narrative at my own pace.

Vanilla GameHall of the Gods

At the start, your chosen city provides a series of missions given by an NPC, typically located near the city gates. To unlock the next mission, you need to meet two criteria: complete the previous missions and earn enough reputation for that city. Reputation is gained through various activities, and without meeting the required level, the next mission won’t become available.

The core story serves as an introduction to the game's fundamental mechanics, such as combat, item drops, gear purchasing, summoning trusts, and other essential elements. It's relatively straightforward and doesn’t take long to complete. The final boss isn’t particularly challenging, making it an excellent way to ease into the game and prepare for the adventures ahead.

Rise of the ZilartGilgamesh and Lion - Primary characters from RotZ

The first expansion for Final Fantasy XI introduces new areas, characters, and storylines. While the base game connects the three starting cities and the hub city of Jeuno via wilderness zones, Rise of the Zilart takes players to completely new regions, starting with the village of Norg. From there, players explore lush jungles, fiery volcanoes, and other exotic landscapes accessible by boat (and later teleportation).

This expansion adds three iconic jobs: Samurai, Dragoon, and Ninja (my personal favorite). The story picks up directly after the base game’s final battle, revealing the rulers of Jeuno as a new threat to Vana’diel. Players team up with new allies to thwart their sinister plans.

While the lore deepens and some characters shine, the story can feel sparse, and the locations weren’t my favorite. That said, Rise of the Zilart introduces Final Fantasy XI’s first true endgame zones, including six Dynamis areas and the Ru’Aun Gardens, where players face the Notorious Monsters known as the Gods of Sky. Despite its shortcomings, this expansion lays the groundwork for much of the game’s future content.

Chains of PromathiaPrishe - A primary character in CoP

The second expansion in the series, Chains of Promathia, builds upon the foundation laid by Rise of the Zilart but on a much grander scale. It offers more locations, a far more engaging story, and a wealth of new content. This time, the player ventures to the Tavnazian Archipelago, a stunning new region filled with intrigue and danger. Along the way, the story introduces a fresh cast of characters, including the unforgettable Prishe.

The plot centers around a mysterious entity stealing the power of the world crystals, threatening to unleash a catastrophic calamity. The hero must rise to the challenge to save Vana’diel once again.

In addition to numerous new overworld zones, this expansion adds three significant end-game areas:

• Dynamis: A new nightmare realm for end-game adventurers.

• Promyvion: A surreal and haunting realm of nightmares.

• Al’Taieu: Featuring the Lumoria Notorious Monsters and the Limbus end-game zones.

While this expansion didn’t introduce new jobs, it placed heavy emphasis on expanding the lore and providing additional end-game content and gear for players. However, Chains of Promathia set the stage for future expansions by enriching the world and deepening the gameplay experience.

Treasures of Aht UrhganAphmau and one of her Automatons - A primary character from ToAU

Like the previous expansions, Treasures of Aht Urhgan introduces a brand-new region filled with numerous zones to explore. However, this expansion distinguishes itself by adding a fully realized city, Al Zahbi, for players to discover. Unlike the smaller towns from Rise of the Zilart and Chains of Promathia, this bustling city serves as a major hub and is central to the expansion’s content.

Spanning the vast region of Aht Urhgan, the expansion also introduces a unique teleportation system called Staging Points. Exclusive to Aht Urhgan, this system requires a new currency, Imperial Standing, which players can earn through various activities in the region. This innovation adds convenience and encourages exploration across the expansive new zones.

A major gameplay addition is the Assault battle system. Players can sign up for instanced missions, completing specific objectives in exchange for Imperial Standing. This system also includes a ranking mechanic, allowing players to unlock better rewards and a wider variety of missions as they progress.

The story in Treasures of Aht Urhgan revolves around the distant lands of Aht Urhgan, where a secret faction within the Imperial Palace hatches a dangerous plot to harness the energy of two immensely powerful beings. Their plan, however, risks the complete destruction of the region. Players must join forces with a fresh cast of intriguing characters to uncover and stop this conspiracy before catastrophe strikes.

Wings of the GoddessLilisette - A primary character from WotG

In Wings of the Goddess, the fourth expansion for Final Fantasy XI, players are transported to the distant past of Vana'diel during the Crystal War. This expansion introduces a new twist on exploration, transforming familiar zones into their historical counterparts. These past versions of existing areas offer a fascinating glimpse into the lore and history of the world, deepening the connection to the core story.

The narrative in Wings of the Goddess is expansive, featuring numerous cutscenes and a story filled with emotional depth. As the player navigates this turbulent era, they encounter memorable new characters, including the charming and courageous Lilisette. The plot focuses on large-scale conflicts between the nations of Vana'diel and the overwhelming Orc Incursion. Players must join the fight to ensure the survival of these nations and prevent a powerful mage's scheme to alter the future, which could lead to their very existence being erased.

This expansion also introduces a wealth of new gameplay systems, such as Voidwatch, Legion, Magian Trials, and other challenging content designed to engage players beyond the main story. Additionally, Wings of the Goddess adds two unique jobs: Scholar, a tactical mage capable of alternating between offensive and healing magic, and Dancer, a versatile support class with the ability to heal and enhance allies through graceful combat techniques.

Seekers of AdoulinPrincess Arciela - A primary character from SoA

The fifth expansion of Final Fantasy XI, Seekers of Adoulin, continues the trend set by Treasures of Aht Urhgan, introducing a massive new region alongside the bustling city of Adoulin. This expansion adds a wealth of new systems, gameplay mechanics, and endgame content, establishing its significance within the game's modern era.

One of the most impactful features introduced in this expansion is the Unity Concord, which allows players to earn a new currency called Unity. This currency can be exchanged for powerful gear and the assistance of exclusive Trust companions. Another key addition is the Records of Eminence system, which enables players to complete objectives to earn Sparks. Sparks can then be used to acquire items and upgrade equipment, making it a cornerstone of progression for contemporary FFXI players. Together, these systems revolutionized the game and remain vital tools for anyone playing today.

Seekers of Adoulin also introduces the Alter-Ego Trust system, a game-changing feature that allows players to summon NPC allies to aid them in solo content. Combined with new travel systems, such as Home Point crystals and Survival Guides, the expansion enhances accessibility and mobility for players across Vana'diel.

Exploration in the wilderness of Adoulin introduces new challenges and battles, including Reives, which require players to adapt to new mechanics while overcoming obstacles in treacherous landscapes. The story itself is compelling, centering on Adoulin and the reawakening of an ancient evil seeking to consume all life and plunge the world into darkness. With a fresh cast of characters and appearances from old allies, the narrative offers a satisfying blend of danger and nostalgia.

Finally, Seekers of Adoulin brings two new jobs to the game:

• Geomancer, a versatile support job specializing in area-based buffs and debuffs.
• Rune Fencer, a tank job with the ability to enhance defenses against elemental magic and unleash devastating rune-based attacks.

With its rich content, systems crucial for modern progression, and engaging story, Seekers of Adoulin is a standout expansion that both honors the legacy of Final Fantasy XI and sets the stage for its continued evolution.

Rhapsodies of Vana'dielIroha - A primary character from RoV

The sixth and final expansion, Rhapsodies of Vana'diel, stands out as the crowning achievement in Final Fantasy XI's expansion history. The story is by far the most engaging and fulfilling of all the expansions, but to truly appreciate it, players must have experienced the events of the previous expansions. Rhapsodies of Vana'diel weaves together the rich lore of the game’s entire history, bringing back a wide array of characters from across Vana'diel's past. This expansion serves as the epic conclusion to the stories told since the game's vanilla release, culminating in a final showdown that provides a proper, rare conclusion to an MMORPG.

Rather than introducing new regions, Rhapsodies focuses on revisiting many of the areas players have already explored in earlier expansions. The story takes the player through these familiar zones, tying together all the lore in a satisfying and cohesive way. The experience is truly rewarding for veterans who have invested time in the earlier chapters of the game's world.

One of the most significant features of Rhapsodies of Vana'diel is the introduction of Rhapsody Key Items. These nine key items, each named "Rhapsody in [color]," provide players with a variety of helpful benefits that significantly enhance their gameplay experience. From massive experience point boosts to expanding the maximum number of Trusts a player can summon, these key items make life in Vana'diel much easier. Players also enjoy steep discounts on essential endgame items, as well as exclusive items available for purchase at the Curio Moogle. These key items are invaluable for managing the endgame and improving the player's efficiency.

However, the expansion does present a dilemma for those tackling the content. The key items make the game considerably more manageable, but the story content is rife with spoilers from past expansions. As a result, players must carefully consider how deeply they want to dive into Rhapsodies before fully experiencing the past stories. It’s a balancing act between reaping the rewards of the key items and possibly spoiling the plot twists of earlier chapters.

Rhapsodies of Vana'diel is a poignant conclusion to the journey, blending nostalgia, closure, and rewarding gameplay systems that help make the world of Vana'diel a bit easier to navigate for those in the post-expansion era. A fitting end to the epic saga, it's a must-play for long-time fans.

Final Thoughts

Final Fantasy XI is undeniably an old game, with its dated visuals, clunky systems, and at times frustrating gameplay. It demands a level of preparation—using tools like Windower to make the experience smoother and more enjoyable. The account creation process, tied to the cumbersome PlayOnline system, is far from ideal and can be a hurdle for new players.

That being said, FFXI boasts one of the most engaging and continuous storylines I’ve encountered in a Final Fantasy game. Despite being over 23 years old, the game still manages to thrive, and it’s clear why: the sense of community, the depth of the story, and the sheer volume of content keep players invested long after they’ve finished the main narrative.

Personally, it took me around 7 months of nearly daily gameplay to navigate the core story and dive into some of the endgame content. Even then, I had barely scratched the surface. There’s so much more to explore—FFXI has vast, rich content that feels rewarding once you push past the frustrations of its older systems.

If you're a Final Fantasy fan, I wholeheartedly recommend giving this game a chance. Yes, it has its flaws, but the effort required is well worth the payoff. Once you immerse yourself in the world of Vana’diel, it’s easy to see why this game still holds a special place in the hearts of its players. It’s an experience worth having.

Heroes Assemble

Note: All of the photos are from my playthrough of this massive game