Guide Note

Final Fantasy XI is an MMORPG set in the popular Final Fantasy universe. In the game, players customize their characters' race, gender, face, hair color, body size, job, and allegiance. Adventures span over one hundred different locations in Vana'diel with constantly changing weather and environments. This is the first Final Fantasy MMORPG and remains the dominant MMORPG in Japan. There are four expansion packs for this game.

Fast Facts

1. Developer: Square Enix
2. Publisher: Square Enix
3. Platform: PlayStation 2, Windows PC, Xbox 360
4. Genre: Role-playing game
5. Mode: Multiplayer
6. Rating: ESRB Rating: Teen (T)
7. Release Date: April 18, 2006

Together with other players, you must band together to overcome the resurrected Shadow Lord. The game is set 20 years after the Crystal War. The expansion packs go into more explanation of the resurrection of the Shadow Lord and introduce new enemies. Rise of Zilart reveals that the Crystal War and resurrection of the Shadow Lord was masterminded by Zilart. Chains of Promathia revolves around the dead twilight god Promathia that has cursed the Zilart race. Treasures of Aht Urhgan talks about the Empire of Aht Urhgan which opens up to the nations of Vana'diel. Finally, Wings of the Goddess occurs during the Crystal War, and must help a regal Cait Sith reduce the suffering of the era.

The game has two major components: missions and quests. The missions complete the major storyline. The quests on the other hand are to increase the hours of play as well as obtaining rare items. Each nation has their own unique set of missions and quests to complete. During the holidays there are special quests to complete and also festivals to attend where you will receive special items (like candy canes for Christmas). Besides the game itself, players can choose from a variety of jobs, each job has their own skill set and pros and cons. Similar to other MMORPGs, you can choose which skills you want to learn when you level up and have enough points. The list includes passive skills, things like heal while sitting, and more active skills that require a certain amount of points and time to recover from use. At level 18, characters can choose a support job class. Players can change their job class anytime at the 'Mog House' or 'Rent-a-room'. There are six original classes that include Warrior, Monk, White Mage, Black Mage, Red Mage, and Thief.