Final Fantasy XI Preview

<p>New details of Final Fantasy XI have recently come to light, take a look at <br /> these with our updated preview.<br> <br /> <br> <br /> The job system that featured in FFIII & FFIV, is set to feature and will include the original classes found in these titles. Initially you can choose from six, however more classes/jobs will become available as you gain more experience. These are:<br> <br /> <br> <br /> <br> <br /> <b>Warrior</b><br> <br /> <img border=0 src=http://www.totalvideogames.com/images/FFXI/Untitled-2.jpg align=left width=317 height=133><br> <br /> <br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>Excellent in melee combat, these strong fighters however are poor against magical attacks and cannot use magical spells. Warriors can equip most equipment. Their special ability is Concentrate, which allows them to increase the power of their adjacent psychic attack.<br> <br /> <br> <br /> <img border=0 src=http://www.totalvideogames.com/images/FFXI/Untitled-18.jpg width=379 height=146></p> <br /> <p> </p> <br /> <p><b>Monk</b><br> <br /> <img border=0 src=http://www.totalvideogames.com/images/FFXI/Untitled-3.jpg width=317 height=136><br> <br /> <br> <br /> Excellent in grapple combat, however these agile fighters cannot use most equipment due to their speed and fighting style. Their special attack is Hundred Punches, a powerful move that has short attack intervals.<br> <br /> <br> <br /> <img border=0 src=http://www.totalvideogames.com/images/FFXI/Untitled-17.jpg width=379 height=143><br> <br /> </p> <br /> <p><b>White Mage</b><br> <br /> <img border=0 src=http://www.totalvideogames.com/images/FFXI/Untitled-4.jpg width=317 height=134><br> <br /> <br> <br /> Focus on healing and recovery spells; their special ability is to recover allies in the nearby area.<br> <br /> <br> <br /> <img border=0 src=http://www.totalvideogames.com/images/FFXI/Untitled-16.jpg width=380 height=144><br> <br /> </p> <br /> <p><b>Black Mage<br> <br /> <img border=0 src=http://www.totalvideogames.com/images/FFXI/Untitled-5.jpg width=316 height=136></b><br> <br /> <br> <br /> Focus on offensive magic, they hove powerful attack spells but are weak against physical attacks and cannot equip much equipment. Their special ability is Magic Swirl, which allows them to cast other spells without using MP’s, during the allotted time.<br> <br /> <br> <br /> <img border=0 src=http://www.totalvideogames.com/images/FFXI/Untitled-15.jpg width=380 height=140></p> <br /> <p><br> <br /> <b>Red Mage<br> <br /> <img border=0 src=http://www.totalvideogames.com/images/FFXI/Untitled-6.jpg width=311 height=133></b><br> <br /> <br> <br /> The Red Mage takes attributes from both Mage’s, and can equip swords, but cannot master advanced skills of either classes of mage. Their special ability is Continuous Magic, which is the same as The Black Mages.<br> <br /> <br> <br /> <img border=0 src=http://www.totalvideogames.com/images/FFXI/Untitled-14.jpg width=376 height=143></p> <br /> <p><br> <br /> <b>Thief<br> <br /> </b><img border=0 src=http://www.totalvideogames.com/images/FFXI/Untitled-9.jpg width=309 height=133><br> <br /> <br> <br /> The thief has a large amount of moves, and can steal from enemies during an attack. They are also very quick and good at evading during battles. Their special ability is Complete Evasion, which allows them to evade all attacks during the permitted time.<br> <br /> <br> <br /> <img border=0 src=http://www.totalvideogames.com/images/FFXI/Untitled-13.jpg width=377 height=142></p> <br /> <p><br> <br /> Square also revealed two new character races to join the existing three. <br> <br /> <br> <br /> <b>Mithra<br> <br /> <img border=0 src=http://www.totalvideogames.com/images/FFXI/Untitled-10.jpg align=left width=151 height=154></b><br> <br /> <br> <br /> These agile cat-like race are entirely made up of females. Their attributes make for good thieves, however they’re weaker in battles.<br> <br /> </p> <br /> <p> </p> <br /> <p> </p> <br /> <p><img border=0 src=http://www.totalvideogames.com/images/FFXI/Untitled-11.jpg width=438 height=111></p> <br /> <p><br> <br /> <b>Galka<br> <br /> <img border=0 src=http://www.totalvideogames.com/images/FFXI/Untitled-8.jpg align=left width=153 height=153></b><br> <br /> <br> <br /> These powerful fighters are entirely made up of males, and have high levels of physical strength and defence. <br> <br /> <br> <br /> <br> <br /> <br> <br /> <br> <br /> <br> <br /> <img border=0 src=http://www.totalvideogames.com/images/FFXI/Untitled-7.jpg width=439 height=112></p> <br /> <p> </p> <br /> <p>With the gameplay style changed significantly, so to has the battle system. Gone are random battles, as all of the characters will be visible in the game world. Neither will the battles be hack ‘n’ slash, as in Diablo 2 or Phantasy Star Online, instead enemies will be targeted and then the character will auto-attack the enemy as in <br /> an RTS. Pressing the target button again will bring up a sub-menu, that allows the player to defend, use items, abilities or flee.<br> <br /> <br> <br /> The same approach is used for casting magic spells, however a casting time is involved as there is with using items.</p> <br /> <p><br> <br /> <img border=0 src=http://www.totalvideogames.com/images/FFXI/Untitled-12.jpg width=450 height=338><br> <br /> <br> <br /> <br> <br /> </p> <br /> During a recent event Square`s CEO Yoichi Wada said there would be no charge for accessing the PlayOnline network, in order to play Final Fantasy XI. This contradicts early plans when a monthly fee was expected. Square hope more people will be enticed by a free service and thus have higher sales. <br /> <br /> This may be needed as consumer and retail support in Japan has been less then impressive for FFXI. <br /> <br /> <i><b>What do you think of Final Fantasy XI?</b></i> Famitsu asked Tokyo`s thousands of videogame dealers last week. <br /> <br /> 35% said it would be a hit<br> <br /> 4% said there is no way to tell<br> <br /> 65% said it will not be a hit<br> <br /> <br /> When asked <i><b>What do YOU think of Final Fantasy XI?</b></i> readers replied in generally the same way. <br /> <br /> 18% said they would play the game<br> <br /> 30% said they were waiting<br> <br /> 52% said they would not play the game<br> <br /> <br />