Final Fantasy? XI Official Strategy Guide for Ps2 & PC

by Michael Lummis

Provides information on characters, weapons, armor, quests, missions, and strategy. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0744003687
• ISBN13: 9780744003680
• Release Date: April 2004
• Publisher: Bradygames
• Length: 381 Pages
• Weight: 2.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 8.5" x 10.9"

Customer Reviews

Great for new online RPG'ers

As a newbie to the online world of RPG's, and a lifetime lover of RPG's, FFXI was my first taste of such online experiences, and I will say that this guide is a GODSEND. Now if you are a newbie to online RPG's and FFXI being your first experience, like myself, you should be warned that in the online environment the game is constantly evolving, and expanding, by having more items and quests added as time goes on, unlike the typical platform RPG where the game you buy is the game you get end of story. I did play for about a month on my own without any assistance and found it quite difficult. The result was a stack of about 100+ sheets of computer paper with various internet site printouts, hundreds of notes jotted down such as guild recipies, NPC locations for quests and missions, and various travel routes to get to diffrent destinations in Vana'diel. My computer room looked as though a crate of computer paper had exploded all over it. In talking to some of the other players in the game that went through the same ordeal, multiple players advised me to get this guide, so I gave in after a bit and ordered it along with the FFXI Online Atlas and I have to say what a difference in the overall game experience that the two books have made. I do have to say that if you are new to the world of FFXI you will without a doubt want to invest in this guide. I will be honest in saying that there are a lot of internet sites out there that contain more up to date info but after spending about $100 for new ink cartridges in my first month without the guide, and also having to log out of the game to go back to a web page for info on a NPC quest giver location, it is enough to make you go crazy. My ONLY complaint is that this is currently the newest guide available and is from Spring 2004, which makes this guide a touch over a year old at the time I am writing this. In the evolution of the online RPG a year can bring a lot of changes to the game itself, ie. new items, weapons, armor, quests, monsters, etc., but overall the quests, items, and game tips listed in the guide are still in the game, applicable and worthwhile. Personally I would like to see a new updated guide in the future to keep pace with the natural evolution of the game.

Very Helpful

This book has lots of quest/misison information descriptions of all the core and advanced jobs with information on how to group, equip, and what spells you get. Tons of equipment, potion/food effects, and more than enough information on mobs and NM's to keep you flipping through the pages. Also has a primer on the conquest system and has helpful macros for all jobs. I think I'll buy the updates twice a year.

For beginners

This book is great for the beginner, whether it's your first mmorpg, or just first time in FFXI, this book will help you through your tedious learning of the game. You dont have to worry about NM when you start off, or for quite some time. by the time you want to find one, you already know where it is, the book is there to give you a general diffuculty level of that monster. Other than that, the fishing guide is a great help, and everything you 'need' to know to get started is right there for you. Definately a must have for the first timer.

Highly Recommended

Have played PC games since 1984 and have bought more then my fair share of Strategy Guides. This is among the best, if not "The Best" Strategy Guide I have ever owned. It is highly detailed and unlike so many other MMORPG's, FFXI has been out in Japan for over a year, so the information in this book is up to date.There is fantastic information on everything, including differences in races, jobs, spell listings, weapon tables, monster tables, full Bestirary, complete crafting, etc.etc.... more then I can write in this review. Also included is a detailed table on Skill Chains and Magic Bursts. Enjoy!

Excellent

Many people dismiss guides to online games outright. The information is too out of date and they are often shoddy jobs, cranked out in a hurry for release day with only a tiny bit of information.This is not one of those guides. This is a full featured, up to date, and comprehensive guide to the game. Tables include stats on creatures, weapons, armor, recipes and effects of crafted items, mob lists including levels and vulnerability information by zone, all quests in each zone, all spells, and virtually all aspects of gameplay.It is truly a comprehensive guide to every aspect of playing Final Fantasy Online and is the model of what a guide to a MMPORPG should be like. It's a fabulous job.