10 Reasons to Avoid FFXIV

Final Fantasy XIV was announced as a timed PS3 exclusive back at E3 2009, and wowed attendees with its spectacular graphics and promise of showing just how polished and enthralling a cross-platform MMO could be. Fast forward to 2010, and the final product is an absolute mess, with Square Enix going as far as to encourage media outlets to NOT review their game. Here's 10 reasons why this happened.

[MrMccormo]

Reason #1

It's Square Enix, and any gamer who trusts their quality has obviously been in a coma since 2004.

[Hellsvacancy]

I duuno, im DEFO gonna give Dues Ex 3 ago, i cant wait 4-it

Edit: Its got Square Enix on the trailer, im not sayin its developed by SE but they got summin 2 do with it

[MrMccormo]

Deux Ex 3 isn't developed by S-E, but FF14.

I think Eidos is developing it.

[akiraburn]

@Hellsvacancy, Deus Ex 3 was indeed done by Eidos, who was bought by Square Enix, who are now the producers of the title. Basically, they help fund the project, promote it, take a cut of the profits, and technically they get final say in some of the content (such as what DLC will be like, when the game releases, what content might be too "controversial" which has to be edited, etc). They aren't developing the game in any manor though. Technically speaking, they could screw the game over with content cuts and whatnot, but I don't think they will, and I am really hoping that they don't try and take any liberties as their publisher to try and "make the game better". DX3 is shaping up to be what DX2 should have been (gameplay-wise), and messing with that team's vision right now would most likely ruin the experience.

On-topic, I have to agree with the writer for a majority of this. I was pretty disappointed once I got my hands on the game. In addition to these reasons though, should also be the financial aspects of the game (which he touched on, but only briefly) which is straight out ridiculous, and the insane fatigue system which is perhaps one of the worst ideas conceived for this.

[Tony P]

Said it when they first acquired Eidos and I'll say it again.

SE did not acquire Eidos so they could force their internal RPG devs to make crappy(er) iterations of Tomb Raider. Or to get Eidos to start making JRPGs. They each stick to what they know.

As for Deus Ex 3, SE will only develop the FMVs.

[Eamon]

S-E are just the publisher of the new Deus Ex. The developer is Eidos.

[DelbertGrady]

Deus Ex was the brainchild of Warren Spector and Ion Storm. Square Enix are just publishing the new game, which is developed by Eidos Montreal. It remains to be seen if Human Evolution can be as good without the involvement of Spector and Ion Storm.

[ViciousBoston]

Guys, I am playing the game. It is really good, people that write articles like this are so afraid of something harming their timesink (WoW). Its a different kinda MMO. Its very geared towards casuals but if you're hardcore you can get tons out of it. I'mn a former hardcore who is casual now and I really really reccomend this game. Square needs to fix some things yes, but the game has the same team as FFXI "Chains of Promathia" which was probably the best MMO expansion of all time story wise.

[Imtey]

4/10

[darthdevidem01]

Yes if you pretend FFXII, FFXIII, DQVIII, DQIX, TWEWY, KH2, KH:BBS and many more games never released!

[CimmerianDrake]

Are you calling FFXIII good?

[Eamon]

and FFXII?

[darthdevidem01]

Yeah and both are better than the game your avatar is from Eamon :P

[Eamon]

sigh...

[CimmerianDrake]

I may not have been able to really get into FFIX. Beat it, but couldn't really get into it. But, it is 99123784623149012 times better than FFXII and FFXIII.

[Eamon]

this.

[kaveti6616]

This game was gimped because of the 360. Oh, wait.

[Neckbear]

It was gimped thanks to PC, silly.

ALL HAIL SUPERIOR H4X L337Z PS3 FOREVA

By the way, yes, this is obvious sarcasm.

[SeanRL]

It was gimped because it's square enix. Simple as that.

[TheGameFoxJTV]

Wonder if the guy who agreed knew it was sarcasm. lol

[kaveti6616]

Square Enix makes crappy games. If FF versus 13 happens to be great, it will be more because of better design decisions rather than better graphics.

[dredgewalker]

More like Wada is a gimp that's why it sucks.

[Eamon]

LMAO at kaveti6616

[SyphonFilter]

ff 13 was,even then it was sub hd and 3 disk because of the last gen 360. castlevania 2 disks for an adventure game.

[Neckbear]

Did you forget alot of PS1 games were on multiple disks?

You silly guy, you. First of, the number of disks needed for said games don't affect quality at ALL.

Seriously, OH LOOK AT ME MOM COME I NEED YOU TO SWAP THE DISK CUZ I CANT

Second, since when a PORTING PROCESS MAKES GAMES WORSE?

God.

[kaveti6616]

If the 360 and PS3 versions of FF13 were identical then I would agree with you, but since the PS3 version was much better graphically and had better sound, then I must disagree. FF13 had shitty combat. You cannot blame disc limitations on that.

There was a lot wrong with the game that was due to design choices. The 360 gimped FF13 for the 360 version, and that's about it.

[SyphonFilter]

neckbear you got that butthurt at my comment? wow. als ps1 came out in the 90's it was acceptable back then. i ain't lazy to change a disk but 3 disks for this generation is pretty dumb.especially for a simple adventure game like castlevania that comes in 2 disks. it was limited,face it.

[Quietpower10]

@SyphonFilter
While I was playing Final Fantasy XIII on my Xbox360, I didn't mind swapping discs. In fact, it brought a lot of nostalgia during the times when I played Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VIII on the Playstation 1 almost one decade ago.

Since I'm going to purcahse Castlevania soon, once again I'm going to relive the good old time. =)

[CernaML]

..Nostalgia... Wow.

I've hated multiple discs since the PS1 days.

[Quietpower10]

@CernaML

You hate swapping each disc every 20-30 hours? Wow sucks to be you then.

[CernaML]

Not into RPGs... which were probably the only games back then to have that much play time on one disc. The only multi disc game I owned back then was GT2. Yes, I hated swapping discs just to play a different mode.

[Kingdom Come]

Has begun it's inevitable downfall. FFXIII was a disappointment, FFXIV is a catastrophe. If Square Enix stand ANY chance of redeeming their reputation from years ago, it NEEDS to start with FFVXIII. However my honest opinion is that the series has ran it's course...
However if the series was to be finished, I would end it on a high, perhaps a successful remake of FFVII...

[s0ph1atr0n]

And make Final Fantasy VII. The E3 realtime video from 2005 just how good Cloud and company could look on the PS3, and I want them to live up to that promise. Cross-platform games take way too much time and effort, and end up holding the developers back since PS3 is the most powerful console to date.

[Shadow Flare]

Uh, if anything, this proves that square enix definitely should NOT remake FF7, no matter what consoles its on. Why? Because they will RUIN it. Absolutely ruin it. They havent made a good final fantasy since X. Square Enix are like a completely different company to SquareSoft. SquareSoft were legends. Square Enix are gimps. Look at the shoddy reviews XIV is getting. They shouldnt touch FF7 with a barge pole considering the state the company is in and the crap they churn out. And this is coming from someone who's favourite game is FF7

[NewsForMe]

Yeah because the PC is obviously holding the PS3 back. /s

[Newtype]

Since 9, not 10.

[dredgewalker]

Exclusivity has nothing to do with why FF is in tatters right now. Square isn't the same Square we used to love and it's as simple as that. You can still have a great game even on multiple discs if the developer put a lot of tlc in making it.

[kanetheking]

they suck at it

[LarsoVanguard]

Says someone who's probably never even played FF11?

The fact that you don't like it doesn't mean that it sucks. Myself and many friends have logged countless hours in FF11, and people said the same thing about that game when it launched. Play it or don't give your opinion. In fact, don't even formulate an opinion, because without proper knowledge of the subject you're just making blind assumptions like an assclown.

[SephireX]

I liked 12 personally and XIII was good but still quite disappointing. The FF series isn't doomed. It just needs a change of direction and SE need to get into shape. They will lose big money on FFXIV and hopefully that will teach them a lesson.

[emekcrash]

I knew my thoery was correct. Muhaha. JRPGs are getting crushed by WRPGs.

[theafroman]

for once i dont want this FF on my ps3

[a08andan]

I was in the beta, and everything bad that is written about the game is unfortunately true.

This author sums it up very well and it makes me sad that the game turned out this way. The Final Fantasy universe has an incredible potential. I don't think this is a matter of lack of resources. I think that the problem lies with the organization of the different development teams within the team. Obviously they have very capable people, but the cooperation must have been abysmal.

[DJ]

I think a lot of these issues can be fixed in one swoop, but it'll take a development dictator to iron this stuff out quickly.

[Karlnag3]

I was in I think the 2nd wave of beta testers and believe me, square aren't too fussed about fixing stuff. They're either too stubborn or too lazy because a LOT of the problems in the final game were problems throughout the beta and the forums were constantly alive with complaints and people saying "look, SE: you really NEED to fix this." and yet here we are.

[Allowen]

uhhh.

I ended removing FF14 from my wish list after reading a few reviews and because the delay of the PS3 version.

Now I will then pay more attention to DC Universe to see if it fits my requirements that makes a good addicting MMo .

Sony should try to get Phantasy Star Online 2 to the PS3 and just let this FF14 go, let it go multi plataform like they did with that uber bad game that was supposed to be a Gears 2 clone.

[Graey]

I'm with you on this. Played the beta I kid you not for about 10mins. give or take. Whats up with the combat system. Why would you release this game now in its clearly fraked up state!! This irritates me to no end. Funny thing, I have a brand new copy of the game, haven't even installed it on my computer.

I refuse to push this crap as a viable option. Currently playing wow, or my intention was to do so until this came out. There is no way you think im going to pay you an extra $3 to actually make a character. You know if more ppl knew that then there would be no FF14. Seriously I have to pay you to make character slots...really. Uh no thank you.

When this becomes free to play I'll laugh my ass off. No one should have to put up with mediocrity and then to add insult to injury they want you to pay extra for it, and you can't play to "Your Limit"...forget that.

I'm bummed about this, I really wanted to play this game. I loved FF11. But now I'm waiting for Cataclysm, Knights of the old republic, and DC universe. If none of those satisfy me I'm done with MMO's on the real. They are seriously fcking up.

[Supman]

lol, 10 reasons?
I got one, its stupid.
sorry squarenix, you failed.

[JonnyBigBoss]

Great article. I agree with the author's opinion. I want my $75 back.

[Reibooi]

#1 User Interface was designed for a controller. So people who play MMO with mouse and keyboard obviously don't like it. Yes there is a bit of lag with it but they have already made improvements with it. They will also more then likely fix the stuff that is cumbersome or annoying(they did with Final Fantasy XI)

#2) Yes the graphics need to be adjusted out of the game but how this is a issue is beyond me. Most people will find out what works for them and then never change it again. Also the nickle and diming is total BS. The games fees for character and game is separate that much is true. However that combined fee is LESS then most MMO's today so who gives a crap that it's separate?

#3 OH NOES I NEED SOMEONE TO HOLD ME HANDS!!! seriously there is manual for a reason. Also nice community unlike most MMO's so people will be glad to help you out if you need it.

#4 100% Valid complaint. Fixes are said to be in the works and hopefully they will be good. If not there are rumors of a full blown auction house coming in the coming weeks(there are areas locked off in the cities that could obviously house one just in case.

#5 First time around traveling may be a pain. However after that you can teleport to anywhere you have been and if you run out of anima people can tele you as well and most will for a little gil. Also while it's annoying that Airships and Chocobo's are not in the game at launch they will be in the coming weeks/months and will drastically change travel and make it easier.

#6 Somewhat valid complaint. The starting areas seem to have to many of the same enemies. However people have hacked in game models and found a crap load of other enemies not yet being used in the game so this will only last for awhile. In Final Fantasy XI SE would add new mobs into old zones so this is more then likely planned.

#7 100% true. The color coded difficulty system is often very inaccurate. I couldn't say why. It could be because it's supposed to change based on what gear you are wearing and the amount of people in the party but I couldn't say and would love to see it fixed.

#8 Combat is far from crap. It's one of the best parts of the game. While there are a few issues they are nothing game breaking. Many of the issues can easily be overcome with macros and in the future may not even need that.

#9 Guildleves are a great Idea. The main issue is that there are not enough of them. You end up doing the same ones over and over again until you can move onto the next tier. However SE has said they will be adding lots and lots of them to add variety and possibly bigger and more epic ones that may be the likes of what people may expect a normal quest to be.

#10 There are a few problems when it comes to communication and the map is annoying. However these are things that will easily be fixed in a upcoming patch and will likely not remain a problem for long. SE wants the game to be a social experience and as such communication issues will likely be at the top of there list of things to fix.

Does the game have issues? sure. Will it stay that way? No as with EVERY MMO it's a work in progress.(SE just released a patch that made the interface a bit faster and fixed alot of things people complained about) If you look at nearly every MMO they have changed so much over time as to make them almost a different game. SE did this ALOT with FFXI and will do it with FFXIV. These issues are the kinds of things that will be gone with time. I would not be surprised if nearly every issue with the game is solved by the time the PS3 version comes out.

[socofsnails]

Designing an MMO interface for a controller seems...well...pretty thick headed, to say the least.

The biggest problem with FFXIV is the whole "you only get to play as much as we think is okay" mentality". It ends up coming off like the Woody Allen joke: two elderly women are at a Catskill mountain resort, and one of 'em says, "Boy, the food at this place is really terrible." The other one says, "Yeah, I know; and such small portions."

[Reibooi]

Considering FFXIV and FFXI before it were focused to be console MMO's making the game for a controller isn't think headed. Players on console are used to controller and would not bother playing the game if they had to learn something they were not used to. The fact that the game works nearly perfectly with a controller is a great thing.

Square should have made 2 separate UI's in my opinion one for mouse and keyboard and one for controller so everyone would be happy but they just don't have the resources to do that.

Also the whole only can play as much as they tell you thing is BS. You can play as much as you want. I play the game a crap load and don't run out of stuff to do. Yes they limit guild leves but the reasons are many for why they do this. at the top are A) they give you alot of money so spamming them unlimitedly would make getting money to easy and adjusting them to give you less so you could spam them would punish those with less time by giving them less B) they give you increased skill gain and the same issues with money apply to skill points.

If you want to continue leveling outside of leves you can without issue. You can either solo things or get a party and slaughter stuff. Never once do you feel like there is nothing else you can do because you are being limited and those who think there is either don't know how to play the game or haven't played it at all(which is probably 95% percent of people on N4G who complain about it)

[Karlnag3]

I mean, how on EARTH could Square Enix of all companies afford to make 2 UIs. That's just way too hard and expensive.

[Xephon08]

This article was full of crap, and you pointed it out, FFXIV isn't WoW and comparing it to WoW which has had 6 years of improvements is just plain stupid.

and people who say "OMG they let you play only a little, being in a group that has 3 active and full linkshells and over 300 members not one person has yet had issues with the fatigue system" There is so much to do the only way you'll run into it is if you jar shit, and even then you'll just play a 2nd class while the first one rests.

This game had one of the smoothest launches for an MMO it is fun, the issues are UI which will get fixed, but the CORE GAMEPLAY is solid.

[a08andan]

It is not plain stupid. Every company in the world should look at successful products, in this case WoW. By doing that, by looking at how different aspects of other MMO:s are praised or hated, they could have forseen a lot of mistakes.

[Redempteur]

@a08andan

you're right ..Every company should copy WOW because WOW is obviously perfect and other games don't need a proper setting /gameplay because you know copying wow should be just fine, right ???

it's not like they should just try to improve their already ff11 gameplay to satisfy their fans first ??

[Graey]

Wow is not a perfect game by any means. But I will agree that some of the things that MMO's do is beyond me why they do it. In the context of WOW it should be noted that certain things should be standard. Some issues shouldn't be issues coming out of the gate.

I could say this wouldn't be a big deal when MMos were a new entity in the gaming relm. But lets be honest they are not any more. Don't get me wrong I loved FF11, Vanguard. Those were I think 2 great games. But what killed vanguard was the fact that so much sh!t was messed up out of the gate. Took too long to fix those things. Now I'm not talking a couple of months, I'm talking a year or longer. Until it went down to a shell of the people who once worked there, pushing out stuff every so often.

Wow is not the problem, and frankly yes every MMO is different. I want them to be different. But they should not have certain hangups. So I would say there should be a template, a base and from that base everything else should arise. The base should be standard(minor variations of course) But still a base.

That way they can be judged on that base, and I think that is why this article is so harsh on it. I think that is why I'm so harsh on it, because it feels like the base itself is wrong. Coming from them making 11, shouldn't the base be more solid considering its the same company. More time, less mistakes...am I wrong in this assumption?

[Tony P]

"..Every company should copy WOW because WOW is obviously perfect and other games don't need a proper setting /gameplay because you know copying wow should be just fine, right ??? "

I don't understand what the mistranslation is. When you launch a new product, you should first analyse the market leader. That's basic business. It doesn't mean cloning a rival brand. At all.

[Redempteur]

dammit it seems some of you didn't get my sarcasm..

i'm prefectly fine with FF14 start because IMO it should start as it's own instead of copying others ...

[Xephon08]

There is really a simple fix for the UI issue, of course the lag needs to be gone, but just enable hotkeeys, like I for inventory, C for equipment, etc

[emekcrash]

Doesn't change the fact that it sucks coc.

[Redempteur]

Reasons to give a chance to ff14.

- EVERY mmo has bugs at launch bug testing 100% a mmo is impossible ..every mmo get fixes
- it will improve in content just like ff11.

i can't remember a mmo whose starting area(s) wasn't stale and boring

[Graey]

How long are we talking about. The average person Isn't going to sit around and wait for an MMo to get better. Example anyone here heard of Alganon. Thought the game was great at first, but after careful looking and gut checking of one self, you can clearly see that the game was going to fail...and fail it did. Now its F2P, with a token market. I stayed with that game until what June/July of this year. Starting from when it was supposedly launching...Nov. Then they called it a soft launch...while they got stuff up and running. Ok so Im paying for soft launch? Then it launches in April...then after goes F2P.

How was I supposed to feel about that. You don't think they knew they were going to do that ahead of time. No no, I'll come back and load this game 6 months from now. That's how long I'll give it to get better.

Last time I checked when things sucked you didn't stick around. Unless you count of course, relationships, crappy marriages, lol nvr people are gluttons for punishment myself included.

[Redempteur]

A block buster MMo like FF14 isn't going to get flat after 1 or 2 months .. There are several thing planned and there is another release for consoles.. do you really think it's going to fail ?

There are bugs .. they always are there and more content is sure to come .. maybe the change in direction this mmo did isn't for you ..
In any case , FF14 players will understand the world better , the economy will take roots and the secrets will gradually be know ( because i'm pretty sure you haven't seen everything )

don't like FF14 , ok cancel your subscription .. But FF14 isn't failing by any means anytime soon.

[socofsnails]

It's a shame it's so bad. If they would have just waited even half a year to fix the problems from the beta, things might have turned out differently. As it is, Squenix is just piddling away what little credibility it had after FFXIII.

[Urmomlol]

The writer of this article literally sounds like they just finished watching Gametrailer's review and then copied most of their points. It doesn't sound like they've played this game for themself at all.

[Xephon08]

yup, what i think people who reviewed it did was say oh look what WoW has now so lets complain that FFXIV doesn't and say its bad. The issues are UI lag (honestly you spend 20 minutes with the UI you get used to it) lack of AH and lack of quests, all will be added. game isn't even a month old yet.

Even with the lack of AH, and Quests there is plenty to do, grinding doesn't feel like a chore its easy to do, or even getting a party going and playing with others its just plain fun.

[COINTELPRO]

Exactly what I thought, cause I just finished watching the gametrailers review then read the article and each point is taken directly from the video in exact order. THIS ARTICLE IS A BIG FAT PHONY!

[Marceles]

FF11 is WAY better...not to say they haven't had years and years of time to work on it, but if FF11 in its present state had FF14's graphics that would be a perfect MMO.

[Raoh]

i actually like it

i have a 16 maurauder, 6 pugilist and 4 conjurer.. there are some things that need to be tweaked like menu lag, adding quests, an auction house..

but outside of that.. it gives me the best parts of frfxi and streamlines them.. its easier to switch jobs, you can re-allocate your stats, its easier to solo,

[Master of Unlocking]

"The $10 monthly fee only grants you access to the game. If you want an actual character slot, that’s an additional $3 a month per slot."

Oh sh.t! Is this true? O_o'

What a huge rip off if true! Amaaaa-zing! Where will Square-Enix stop? Where???

[Skadoosh]

But teh cell????

[d3nworth1]

"But teh cell?" my a$$ thats the PC version the Ps3 version is still in development. The cell had nothing to do with this game sucking it was half a$$ development.

[ruiner4482]

Isn't this the same list of complaints for ffxi??

[romalias2]

Ok screw it before I knock FFXIV anymore; I'm gonna purchase it and try it out... I've been looking for something new to play anyway. Don't worry though if I meet any caps or other annoyances I'm sure to write a proper review. (Laughs very sinisterly) Just hope I'm not wasting my $15 QQ

*Edit maybe I won't then. I can't believe square completely disregarded those of us using paypal!

[rmatthe5]

You can use paypal to buy crysta to pay for gametime

[kasasensei]

This game is broken on every level, i think they must stop ps3 version development ASAP.
Just check the gametrailers review. It's pretty pathetic.
http://www.gametrailers.com...

[LarsoVanguard]

Or, play the game for yourself and see. Different people, different tastes. Stop being a sheep, experience and judge things for yourself, or don't make comments about their quality. Gametrailers is off the the mark quite frequently.

If you don't have money to experiment with new games, don't try this one - but also don't come in and act like you have an opinion when you actually have NO idea what you are talking about.

[testerg35]

Oh no.. can't blame the 360 on this?

[Arnon]

I wonder where that Dno guy is who continued to tell me that I was a liar in regards to playing this game, and that it would "becomes one of the best MMo's ever." (actual quote)

[darthdevidem01]

Looks like Towns and open world don't make a game great!

Linearity FTW! FFXIII FTW!

[imoutofthecontest]

TOOOOOOWWWWWWNZ!

[Paballo]

Well I guess its up to verses now.....where the hell am I going to get my JRPG fix?white knight sucks, will definitely pick up demon souls but that's not JRPG. Level5 where is my Dark Cloud3?This generation has brought the death of Traditional JRPGs and survival Horror that we so enjoyed last generations. Sega screwed up,square enix screwed up, capcom has let us down,Konami apart from MGS4 totally suck!.is it me or are western Developers losing it?

[Tex117]

Def pick up Demon's Souls dude. It's awesome.

As for a JRPG, I picked up Resonance of Fate the other day... (Needed something to keep me distracted till Fallout New Vegas)...It is actually pretty solid.

Very complex battle system...best voice acting in a JRPG yet, (thanks Drake from Uncharted dude), humor has that awkward Japanese feel to it, grinding is required (as should be in all JRPG's), if you are looking for a pretty hardcore JRPG, then if you can pick this up on the cheap then do so.

[conswella]

How I loved you before you became Square ENIX.

[COINTELPRO]

Well on the bright side, at least I go outside more often. Thank you Square Enix.

[punkpop101]

Looks like Microsoft knew something when they denied the release of the game to their platform.And ps3 fanboys need to shut up because back at e3 2009 they were storming us with their exclusive gem.And Final Fantasy XIII was nowhere near a bad game.Stupid fanboys will never get it anyway.

[wissam]

They deserve this.I was having a strong feeling this game will flop.
maybe I can be a fortune teller.and I remember getting tons of disagrees
for saying the game will be crap.

[konspiracy187]

Square Enix should have followed through with completing the Fabula Nova Crystallis Final Fantasy XIII compilation first, & utilized another year to ensure this game hit the ground running. This gen, Square Enix is not what SquareSoft was and the proof is in the quality of their games and the voices of the gamers. I would hope Square Enix is listening and using their wits to ensure Agito and Vs XIII is gold.

[kytro360]

I will probably still buy it

[Xfanboy]

Turn based is ugh!!! DC is monthly fee

GW2 Ftw!!! http://www.youtube.com/watc...

The Old Republic http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[tweet75]

final fantasy XIV might go on this list

[KitoSoma]

Am I the only one who realizes FFXIV is a tiered release game? At launch, you can only go to a few areas and I think there were maybe four storyline quests at most, some of which they have quietly rolled out since then.

FFXIV was never designed to be "OMG COMPLETE GAMEZ ARE HERE!!!111", which is one of the reasons they asked people to hold on reviews for a month. Give it time, no MMO starts without issues.

Stop your crying and try to improve the game bu submitting bug reports and suggestions on their support page.

[XRider]

Only need one "it's not good" list done.