Final Fantasy XIV to finally start charging. Has it improved?

[Locut0s]

LOL so after its disastrous release FF XIV basically went into a limbo during which play was free. Also during this time they supposedly tried to fix the horrible game. Well looks like they think the game is now fixed enough to start charging for it as they had planned, 13 months later.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4968/final-fantasy-xiv-20-coming-this-year-will-finally-charge-money

So as a final fantasy fan who was looking forward to this game, then basically did a giant face palm when reviews came out and never looked back, I'd like to know if they have actually improved the game to a playable state? Is there anyone here still playing it? Is it actually worth picking up now?

 

[J-Money]

I had so much hope for this game. They are currently completely rebuilding it.

And I mean rebuilding. It'll actually be essentially v2.0 next November I think. Square is even calling it "Version 2.0", and that is when it will be on PS3. They are revamping EVERYTHING currently. So it's a work in progress until that time.

Honestly I'd wait until next November if you are really, really wanting to play it, or see if you try it at a friends or something since it's still no subscription at the moment.

I'm not saying it's unplayable, some people are enjoying it, it has improved A LOT, but it still is under major construction.

 

[tedrodai]

...
They are revamping EVERYTHING currently. So it's a work in progress until that time.

Honestly I'd wait until next November if you are really, really wanting to play it, or see if you try it at a friends or something since it's still no subscription at the moment.

I've been playing the game since launch, with a couple 4-6 week breaks in there--even with it being free monthly, it was a chore...honestly the best reasons I can give you for why I kept playing is because (1) I wanted it to be patched into something good and (2) they weren't charging monthly. I completely agree with J-Money. The game is a LOT better now, but the only reason they're starting to charge before the end of the year is because they decided they NEED some income to keep it floating lol...not because they think it's ready for mainstream.

The last major patch was awesome IMO, but it puts the game in a definite in-between stage from the shit that was and the possibly good game they're morphing it into. Just as of a couple of weeks ago, you can finally get a feel that the game is going to be good, but version 2.0 that's due in 1 year is basically going to be an entirely new game from its original release. It's fun now, but not up to par.

So, for the next year, it's basically going to be a paid-for beta, although a good quality one. Might as well call the past year a public alpha with a $50 entry fee. You do get to keep your character though .

 

[PowerYoga]

short answer: yes, but not much. I'd give it another year or 2 if you want the game to get out of the complete-redesign-and-overhaul stage. Took them this long to get it to a beta stage from the absolutely craptacular "launch" which was more or less barely alpha-ready stage.

 

[Locut0s]

Good to know guys. Will keep an eye on it and wait for 2.0. Thanks.

 

[J-Money]

I usually drop in on www.FFXIVcore.com to see how it's going and the latest news etc.

But not on the forums. Too much "This game is teh suckz!" there.

 

[Locut0s]

I usually drop in on www.FFXIVcore.com to see how it's going and the latest news etc.

But not on the forums. Too much "This game is teh suckz!" there.

Thanks for the link.

 

[silvan4now]

well i was always a fan of this series even if not playing the last two titles. i like the story but i think it's a little to childish for my current taste in gaming!

 

[ViviTheMage]

Just got an email ... 1.9 was released?

 

[Locut0s]

I must say as fun as it is to play a modern RPG I miss the good old days of epic turn based JRPGs

 

[PowerYoga]

That's why I'm playing some PS2 games I've never had the chance to back in college.

Persona 3 is so much fun. spent way more time with it than any PS3 games I have, with the exception of disgaea 3.

 

[tedrodai]

Just got an email ... 1.9 was released?

1.9 sounds like it would be awfully close to 2.0 . But no, it was 1.19, the 19th major patch since release. A major step in a good direction, but still just a step, and they are not close to 2.0. They do finally have chocobos, though!