Final Fantasy XI
05
The release of Final Fantasy XI was a watershed moment for PlayStation. This was the first time console owners could really tuck into an MMORPG, and it was not only great, it played well on controllers. With five character races and hundreds of customisation options, players could express themselves across the world while fighting each other and the world’s bosses. For many, this was the dream: a fully realised, enormous world of chocobos, moogles, and magic.
Final Fantasy XI gave us a look into the future of console gaming.
This MMORPG required investment from the player, not just in time but in cash. They’d need a network adapter and a PS2 hard drive just to start playing, and these were remarkably hard to find – a surprise, given the success of the series on the Sony console. For those who were able to play, thousands of hours lay ahead in the world of Vana’diel.
The game was a huge success for Square Enix, and it released several expansion packs for it. Were it not for these tentative steps, we may not have Final Fantasy XIV, which is going from strength to strength.
Love for this MMORPG is still flowing, and players have gone to great lengths to keep the game alive. Literally. Nineteen years later, the game is still going. While it may not be as popular as some more recent MMORPGs, players refuse to let go of their characters.
“For many, this was the dream: a fully realised world of chocobos, moogles, and magic.”