Final Fantasy XI – The Anti-Final Fantasy

by Michael "Macstorm" Cunningham

Final Fantasy XI should not be labeled as the eleventh game in the series. As an online game, it does not fall in line with what is expected of traditional Final Fantasy games. I do not disagree with Square’s decision to develop the game; it will appeal to those that are willing to pay for the extras needed to play the game. My problem is with the decision to title the game Final Fantasy XI. People will argue that all of the Final Fantasy games are different and that this is not the first time that Square has changed the formula on the series, but I disagree.

As true as it is that each Final Fantasy has been unique, they have all followed certain guidelines. All have been traditional turn-based RPGs with multiple characters that were playable. Each game has been based upon a linear story with a definite beginning and ending. The online world of Final Fantasy XI does not follow those patterns at all. If Square wants to differ and dabble into other markets, let them. Just leave the Final Fantasy name off of it. After all Square did not label Final Fantasy Tactics as Final Fantasy VIII even though it was released after FFVII, now did they? No, they varied enough from the norm in creating a strategy RPG to realize that it was not a “Final Fantasy” main stream game. Though a wonderful game, it was not what true fans expected of the series.

My biggest complaint with Square naming the game XI is that it will not have as strong of a following as I through X had, because of the decision to make it online only. With all of the extra hardware (hard drive, network adapter, etc.), monthly fees, and broadband internet expenses, it will not be affordable to everyday gamers the way that the other titles were. On top of the financial aspects tied to the game, there is also the availability aspect. Even if ever gamer could afford the equipment to play Final Fantasy XI, not everyone has access to broadband internet. This will cut into sales, and Final Fantasy XI will begin to weaken the series.

Even if Final Fantasy XI succeeds and sales well, it will still hurt the Final Fantasy series. Since Final Fantasy XII will be the next traditional game that will hopefully follow all of the standards (story based, not a direct sequel like FF X-2, and not online), look at how long US fans of the series will have to wait for a true Final Fantasy. Final Fantasy XII is tentatively scheduled for a Japanese release in late 2003 to early 2004. Best case would be a late 2003 release and about a year of translation leading to an estimated US release date of late 2004. This will be about three years from the December 2001 release of Final Fantasy X. Square expects us to play online until the next Final Fantasy. I don’t think so. My fellow hardcore Square fans and I will have to make due with Final Fantasy X-2 until the next true Final Fantasy comes out. Square, I am for once truly disappointed. You should have named it something else.

Do not misunderstand me. My sole complaint is in the titling. I will probably buy the US release of Final Fantasy XI, but not because of its name. Why couldn’t they name the game Final Fantasy Creation or Final Fantasy World? I feel that Square is trying to sell the name Final Fantasy much the same as they did with their theatrical release. The movie FF: The Spirits Within was a box office disaster that hurt Square financially. Anyone who saw the movie would be hard pressed to say that it lacked graphical detail or that it contained bad voice actors. It didn’t, the movie was a failure, because it didn’t adhere to Final Fantasy standards. It moved completely away from everything that is Final Fantasy and tried something new. It did not work. I want quality, not a brand name. Square can develop quality, so they should not need a brand name to sell to the public, just quality. That is part of what went wrong with the movie and will be what goes wrong with this online venture.