An Optimistic Outlook for the Future of a Game that will Devour my Free Time, Alienate Me from Reality, Be Utterly Addictive, & Throughly Enjoyable
I retain fond memories of South Gustaberg, late 2003. The arid desert atmosphere was far from depressive, and I found excitement and endless possibilities under every rock (often accompanied by a Sand Worm.) Although I was little concerned with the status of my in-game happiness months, or even years, into the future, I recognized the humble beginnings of an expansive and gratifying gaming experience. Quickly graduating past South Gustaberg, past North Gustaberg, into an intimidating and frustrating seaside training ground called Valkurm Dunes, I came up against challenges at every stop and each time overcame those challenges, more and more often with the help of others. Past this point the game really took on a life of it's own. The goal was always clear: higher level, better gear, become a better < insert job name here>. Yet even though I basically knew what accomplishments I would be pursuing for hundreds of gaming hours to come, I enjoyed every minute of it and surprises were never lacking. Unique experiences occasioned every party, and alliances were drowning in them.
I guess I'm rambling. My point is, the experiences I have taken away from Final Fantasy XI are the best of any game I've ever played. It had a special aura surrounding nearly every moment of it. When I heard the "announcement" of a "sequel" to ffxi, I was, well, I was fucking excited. I enjoyed xi for years and I think I really did get the most out of it. But towards the end frustrations mounted and with a final blow to my character (namely, getting all my gear stolen) I decided it was time to retire, at least for the time being. I still keep my character in case I should find myself with the time and means to play again, but for the most part I feel I'm done with ffxi. But when I think of the opportunity to relive those first experiences of starting a new character, in a new world, figuring everything out along with hundreds of other players, I feel, again, "fucking excited". I suppose it's somewhat lame to be so into a mere MMO, but I personally can't wait for Rapture to be released.
The fact that it's being developed by the same team that did ffxi hopefully means it will be a spiritual successor to xi, and that's a great thing, because there isn't another game quite like ffxi out there right now. I have faith in Square Enix that, at least with this title, they won't be looking to simply recreate the "successful" formula of so many other MMOs that were released after ffxi, yet eclipsed the player base of xi. The tech demo video doesn't necessarily have any bearing on the final product we'll be playing, but I think that it is somewhat representative of their original conceptions of the world, and it looks wonderful to me. Overall, this game has more potential than any other game being made right now, at least in my eyes, and I'll be waiting with bated breath for any drop of info Square Enix leaks in the months to come.
