Final Fantasy XIV Is Now a 'Realm Reborn,' Whatever That Means

I'm just going to go ahead and assume that this is all in-engine footage and totally representative of the gameplay experience.

Played this game when it was first released and boy did it let me down... Don't think I'm sold on this new version until I see how their new vision for the game plays.

@DaBuddaDa said:

Could Alex possibly add more snark and sarcasm in a single video post?

Probably, it's about the only thing his writing has going for it.

At least it's going to be $10/month, instead of the usual $15. Still not sold on this until I see what the update looks like.

@Godak said:

Well, son, when one realm re-loves another realm very much...

:D

Can this game just DIE already? I still have my letter of apology from Square haha.

Hm, I remember playing this game years ago when it was first released. Paid 70 dollars for it so I could play early with my friends. It taught me a very valuable lesson: Don't buy MMORPGs on day one EVER again. Played it for barely two weeks before I couldn't handle it anymore.

I heard it has been vastly improved over the 2~ year period it has been out though, as if that's any consolation.

i dont have faith in a single diety but i do have faith in ffxiv :]

@envane said:

@Otzlowe: oh yeah .. explain to me .someone that abandoned the game in disgust in the first month and refused to even come back when it was free for so long ..

how is the game better ? .. there were some base systems and stuff there that i COULD have enjoyed if it wasnt bogged down with a fucking horrible ui , horrible ass world to explore , horrible horrible trading , AND OH MY GOD NO those crafting quests ....

Zhinse already gave you quite a few things to read over, but I suppose I'll give you a more truncated idea of how I feel.

To be quite plain all but three of those things are changing. I can't actually tell you to what degree - because I haven't experienced them personally (they're coming in 2.0 which isn't out yet) - but the UI, world and inventory management systems were some of the most complained about systems in the game. Along with the game engine (to run more quickly) those features are being overhauled.

Crafting is being changed from the original menu-based system to use actions like a combat profession, though it is my understanding that the base "Standard, Fast, Careful and Wait" actions will remain, but also be accompanies by buff skills that modify your crafting for a time.

However, it is my knowledge that the questing will remain largely the same.

tl;dr: It's my personal suggestion that you wait until 2.0 is officially out. If those things bothered you the most, they're still there as of right now and might turn you off before 2.0 comes out. Unless you're chomping at the bit to come back and think you could put up with it for a couple months.

@envane said:

@Otzlowe: oh yeah .. explain to me .someone that abandoned the game in disgust in the first month and refused to even come back when it was free for so long ..

how is the game better ? .. there were some base systems and stuff there that i COULD have enjoyed if it wasnt bogged down with a fucking horrible ui , horrible ass world to explore , horrible horrible trading , AND OH MY GOD NO those crafting quests ....

Hello, I would like to explain what already has gotten better and what will be getting better in A Realm Reborn. (sorry going to be a long one... )

What has already gotten better:

Battle System: They've completely changed it from the 1 spam to an auto attack system found in more traditional MMOs. Some may view this as a bad thing, however, it is spiced up with a positional Combo system in which you are able to to do a specific string of weapon skills that reward you with no tp cost, bonus effects (stun, paralyze, etc) and multiplied damage. Mages get spell combos too that do a lot of damage!

Enmity system has changed completely into something thats extremely manageable, the game now has a aggro meter so you know how close you are to getting the mobs attentiion.

Class and Job: Classes abilities have been completely rebalanced and now each class has a good identity, unlike at launch when everyone felt like the same thing. Amory system now lets you keep all of your class abilities on the bar and gives you additional bonus slots for equipping abilities outside of that class. The rebalanced class abilities make it easier for you to get the more important skills at earlier levels so you don't have to level every class to 50 to be competent. Classic final fantasy jobs have been introduced. they are like advance classes (gladiator->Paladin), designed for party play. Less freedom in cross class abilities, more specific job only abilities (that you have to get through quest).

Pretty damned good battle content: End game content now consist of fighting Ifrit, fighting King moogle (and friends). Fighting Garuda. All of these are extremely well designed and challenging, Frustrating. Team coordination is key and there isn't a moment where you can take your attention away or else your team will wipe. 4 instanced Dungeons with their own challenging boss battles. 4 open world strongholds to invade and level up in. Hamlet Defense, Skirmish battles against old bosses.

Grand Company: Join one of the three nations to get access to nation exclusive loot. The string of Quest in these companies also comprise of the bulk of the extremely interesting main story.

Storytelling: The storytelling they've experimented with so far have been extremely interesting. While the content of the sidequest of the game is still pretty shitty, they do lead up to the cataclysmic event you see in the trailer. in the world now there is a Giant Red Ball in the sky that has gotten bigger and bigger with each patch. Random Imperial invasions happen in far off places. GM's that will come in and roleplay some random characters. Great cutscenes. It went a long way to making things feel more alive.

Changes to crafting: its a simpler faster system now. recipes are much less expansive and require less help from other crafting classes. Repair system has been completely remodeled so that repairs use a universal material instead of very specific ones. Items don't become useless until they hit 0 durability.

Materia Craft: Materia has beeen introduced into the game, which give bonus stats to equipment that can be affixed with materia.

No fatigue, just typical mmo rested bonus.

There is a ton more that i'm glossing over, but this post has gone on long enough really. A Realm Reborn promises:

A new Client, server system. They're going to scrap the entirety of the old graphics engine and game client for a new one which the producer believes is the best MMO engine on the planet. Graphic engine is incredibly scalable, and it is said those screenshots that have already been released were running off of Yoshida's couple year old laptop. The UI is completely changed and there will be two separate types of ui for keyboard and mouse and controller players. The server system will finally be up to snuff with what should be expected out of a launched big budget game. The Maps are going to be totally redone to get rid of the repetition of the environment, using the meteor as a story excuse to do so. character progression through the levels are going to be re-evaluated.

Many people believed that the game at its core was broken. And they addressed everything they could already that the current engine could allow them. They realized early on that it would have to take a complete rebuilding of the code to save the name and that's what they are doing. I'm sorry again for the long post everyone.

@nrh79 said:

@MajorToms said:

@Smokey_Earhole: Maybe not you, but plenty love Final Fantasy. They wouldn't be making games if nobody gave a crap.

I'm one of the ones who gives a crap. Always have.

Not only that, but you can care about a series or 'give a crap', with that notion being completely separate to whether someone likes the games or not.

@MajorToms said:

@Smokey_Earhole: Maybe not you, but plenty love Final Fantasy. They wouldn't be making games if nobody gave a crap.

I'm one of the ones who gives a crap. Always have.

@Smokey_Earhole: Maybe not you, but plenty love Final Fantasy. They wouldn't be making games if nobody gave a crap.

@AbeBroHamLincon said:

@Shaanyboi said:

@Smokey_Earhole said:

So...when was the last time anyone really gave a shit about the FF franchise? Be honest.

Well there was a lot of people that somehow fooled themselves into thinking FFXIII looked in any way good...

indeed good sir 7&10 that is all.

...Frankly, those are representative of what DOESN'T interest me in Final Fantasy. 4 and 6, and I respect 9. But then there's the bullshit techno-fantasy thing with 7 and it just does for me....

What the hell accent was that supposed to be?

This narration makes it sound like the coolest promo for Man Vs. Wild that I have ever seen.

@Otzlowe: oh yeah .. explain to me .someone that abandoned the game in disgust in the first month and refused to even come back when it was free for so long ..

how is the game better ? .. there were some base systems and stuff there that i COULD have enjoyed if it wasnt bogged down with a fucking horrible ui , horrible ass world to explore , horrible horrible trading , AND OH MY GOD NO those crafting quests ....

@Shaanyboi said:

@Smokey_Earhole said:

So...when was the last time anyone really gave a shit about the FF franchise? Be honest.

Well there was a lot of people that somehow fooled themselves into thinking FFXIII looked in any way good...

indeed good sir 7&10 that is all.

PS3 I'm in.

So I'll check it out during the 3-4 month "free" trial period. I hope it's good, just like I hoped last time.

@Smokey_Earhole said:

So...when was the last time anyone really gave a shit about the FF franchise? Be honest.

Basically...every time a FF comes out? It's still an incredibly popular series. Increasingly popular I'd say, with how much faster they've been selling lately. I think IX was the only time I didn't really care?

Still the same Final Fantasy.

@Shaanyboi: It did look good. It just didn't play as good as it looked.

@Brendan: It was pretty snarky though, you gotta admit. Realm Reborn doesn't seem that confusing of a title. It's not Dream Drop Distance or Dissidia Deudecim whatever the hell that one game was called.

@Otzlowe said:

Seriously though. FFXIV still has problems, but it's been an incredibly interesting ride, watching SE devs learn how to listen to the community and spend time making changes for the better. The amount of transparency and involvement felt with the re-tooling of this game was really a joy and it's become something that I definitely do not regret playing.

If you like more old-school MMO stylings that tend to take a little more effort and involvement for payoff, this might be down your alley. (I say this because direct comparisons between this and a western MMO are misguided, they play entirely differently and the reason for playing is therefor much different).

Yep, I agree. It's been a...weird ride. I wonder if it'll pay off when 2.0 releases. I'm interested in the new engine since I hate how much the game chugs in town. That and the exclusive chocobo mount.

Seriously though. FFXIV still has problems, but it's been an incredibly interesting ride, watching SE devs learn how to listen to the community and spend time making changes for the better. The amount of transparency and involvement felt with the re-tooling of this game was really a joy and it's become something that I definitely do not regret playing.

If you like more old-school MMO stylings that tend to take a little more effort and involvement for payoff, this might be down your alley. (I say this because direct comparisons between this and a western MMO are misguided, they play entirely differently and the reason for playing is therefor much different).

@McGhee said:

@dvorak said:

@McGhee said:

@DaBuddaDa said:

Could Alex possibly add more snark and sarcasm in a single video post?

Probably, it's about the only thing his writing has going for it.

You're writing must be extremely compelling and skillful. Please tell me more about how he's a terrible writer. Don't forget to use large words.

You doin all right there, fella? Need a hug?

His post didn't sound any meaner than yours did.

@McGhee: Incredible retort. I love how you thoroughly explained your position.

Hahaha...I love how the same guy narrates the trailer with his horrible fake British accent and then ends it with an American accent "Final Fantasy XIV".

Square Enix: No-one will notice. We just need to get this out there fast!

@dvorak said:

@McGhee said:

@DaBuddaDa said:

Could Alex possibly add more snark and sarcasm in a single video post?

Probably, it's about the only thing his writing has going for it.

You're writing must be extremely compelling and skillful. Please tell me more about how he's a terrible writer. Don't forget to use large words.

You doin all right there, fella? Need a hug?

@Seeric said:

it seems to be 'everyone died horribly, but the heroes got sent way into the future because of plot-deities', which is honestly both interesting and hilarious.

Once they said that, I couldn't stop thinking about it. Could you imagine those conversations? "The world is ending, and we're not going to save the women & children. Nor the leaders. Or the highly skill craftsmen and educators. Nope, we're saving these low-level twerps who run around stealing pants off monsters. Why? Because they're brave!"

@McGhee said:

@DaBuddaDa said:

Could Alex possibly add more snark and sarcasm in a single video post?

Probably, it's about the only thing his writing has going for it.

You're writing must be extremely compelling and skillful. Please tell me more about how he's a terrible writer. Don't forget to use large words.

@Smokey_Earhole said:

So...when was the last time anyone really gave a shit about the FF franchise? Be honest.

When they made a rhythm game. Though to be honest, that's one of the only times I really gave a shit about the franchise since FF Tactics.

Edit: I feel like I ought to add that I have a lot of respect for a developer that would cop to their mistakes as honestly as SquareEnix did with this game and then put in so much effort to make good, even if I don't have any interest in any of the recent numbered entries in the FF franchise.

WOW another MMO so cool I CANT WAIT!!!

Wow, single worst voice over dude EVER.

If you give SquareEnix any money for this game you are part of the problem.

Sorry I could not hold back a giggle when hearing the guys voice. :)

This still doesn't make me want to play this.

It will still take three minutes to sell twenty items in your inventory. Has their complicated billing system been revolved or will go free to play? Realm Reborn is another way of saying, "Sorry we totally fucked up last time, please some back".

@fargofallout:

It was a horrible mistake on their part to release it in the state that they did, but they sort of backed themselves into a corner ever since they decided to make Final Fantasy XI a 'numbered' game instead of just called it Final Fantasy Online and making this a sequel. Square currently seems to care more about the numbered Final Fantasy games more than most people do, so simply shutting it down would have 'tarnished' the brand name too much for them; I have no doubt that this would have been shut down or put on f2p status a long time ago if it was a spinoff.

That being said, it's actually refreshing to see a company admit they made a mistake and put a massive amount of effort into fixing their game instead of letting it simply die. I know they had planned to incorporate the massive world changes 2.0 is going to bring into the game's plot and by the sound of this trailer it seems to be 'everyone died horribly, but the heroes got sent way into the future because of plot-deities', which is honestly both interesting and hilarious.

The voice over guy sounds like comedian Nick Swardson doing a funny voice.

This game is so much better now. If all you played (or saw) was FFXIV at release, you should give it another chance. It still has some problems, but has done an almost complete 180. Can't wait to see how 2.0 shakes out!

I'm super curious to see what they have done to the game.

i'll pass :(

@Smokey_Earhole said:

So...when was the last time anyone really gave a shit about the FF franchise? Be honest.

Well there was a lot of people that somehow fooled themselves into thinking FFXIII looked in any way good...

Wait wait is it no longer called FFXIV?

EDIT: NOPE! :(

Weird.

Now with more explosions. And bad guys.

So...when was the last time anyone really gave a shit about the FF franchise? Be honest.

It never ceases to amaze me that this game exists and that they continue to try to repair it. I can't imagine the amount of money they have lost on it.