Final Fantasy Online vs. Guildwars 2

[symphonymarie]

Hi! I'm fairly new, so I apologize if this is similar to a previous thread. A good friend of mine has recently gotten me started in Guild Wars 2, and I'm really enjoying the novelty of playing an MMO while surrounded by people and in an environment that promotes teamwork. However, I used to play FFXI quite often and I loved that too. I was wondering if anyone has any point of comparison between the two? Pros, cons, etc?

I should probably mention on a personal note that I don't have much free time, and I only play video games when I'm broke and I don't want to go out and spend money, so if one in particular requires a more frequent presence, that would be worthy of noting, too.

And, are there any other MMOs you would recommend? It's gotta be pretty!

 

[lapan]

Well, i personally prefer FF14 ARR over GW2.

I have to say i'm biased, I hated a lot of the changes that were made between GW1 and GW2.

They actually have some similarities though (most of the story being singleplayer content, random area events)

 

[BQE]

Hi! I'm fairly new, so I apologize if this is similar to a previous thread. A good friend of mine has recently gotten me started in Guild Wars 2, and I'm really enjoying the novelty of playing an MMO while surrounded by people and in an environment that promotes teamwork. However, I used to play FFXI quite often and I loved that too. I was wondering if anyone has any point of comparison between the two? Pros, cons, etc?

I should probably mention on a personal note that I don't have much free time, and I only play video games when I'm broke and I don't want to go out and spend money, so if one in particular requires a more frequent presence, that would be worthy of noting, too.

And, are there any other MMOs you would recommend? It's gotta be pretty!

As @lapan said, FFXIV:ARR is a great game that I'm enjoying very much. It boasts a level of detail and refinement I don't have the joy of seeing often with MMOs. GW2 is very fun itself and employs a robust and dynamic combat system that I found difficult to tire of.

I played quite a bit of GW1 and I do also miss some of the features and mechanisms it had as well, however I believe that a lot of the changes GW2 made were for it's benefit.

If I had to recommend an MMO currently out, I would say FFXIV:ARR. I would also advise you to keep an eye on Wildstar, Everquest Next and Elder Scrolls Online.

Welcome to the Escapist by the way, may your time here be well spent and your words carefully chosen.

 

[IndomitableSam]

FFXIV. A bunch of us are on Malboro as well, so if you do start to play, look us up. I'll also be bumping a thread about ir right after this reply, as server transfers are now live. Read through the community page and chat we've got, see how you like it. Lots of screenshots as well.

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/Final-Fantasy-XIV-A-Realm-Reborn

 

[hazabaza1]

Haven't played FF but if the multiplayer side is a big factor for you, stay away from Guild Wars. I've been occasionally playing on and off since launch and after the first month or two the community was dead and has stayed that way.

 

[the doom cannon]

gw2 is 100% the go-to mmo if you dont want to spend your life playing it. Ever since they started doing biweekly updates with the living story it's been much better

 

[2xDouble]

Haven't played FF but if the multiplayer side is a big factor for you, stay away from Guild Wars. I've been occasionally playing on and off since launch and after the first month or two the community was dead and has stayed that way.

What server are you playing on? Mine (the three that I play on) are always packed and Overflowed. By all means, guest over to Tarnished Coast and join the party! or jump on to Blackgate if you like playing with hyper-competitive douchebags professionals.

OT: Final Fantasy is static and deliberate. It uses a lot of "classic" (some might say "dated" or "boring") tropes and slot-machine mentalities to keep people invested, and has depth of story to back it up. If you prefer to find your own fun rather than be entertained, then Guild Wars 2 will probably appeal more to you.

Guild Wars 2 is dynamic and fluid. It embraces chaos more readily (a little too readily for some, and not enough for others); seting up framing and motivations, but tasks players to create their own investment and relationships. If you like clear, stated goals of where to go and what to do, then Final Fantasy will appeal to you more.

 

[hazabaza1]

Haven't played FF but if the multiplayer side is a big factor for you, stay away from Guild Wars. I've been occasionally playing on and off since launch and after the first month or two the community was dead and has stayed that way.

What server are you playing on? Mine are always packed and Overflowed.

Can't remember, it was about two months ago when I last played. Pretty sure it was on high population, and the only time I saw others players with consistency was AFKers at crafting stations or Black Lion Marketplaces.

 

[2xDouble]

Haven't played FF but if the multiplayer side is a big factor for you, stay away from Guild Wars. I've been occasionally playing on and off since launch and after the first month or two the community was dead and has stayed that way.

What server are you playing on? Mine are always packed and Overflowed.

Can't remember, it was about two months ago when I last played. Pretty sure it was on high population, and the only time I saw others players with consistency was AFKers at crafting stations or Black Lion Marketplaces.

That's natural. Players like to look at and reorganize their stuff and the Bank is a good place to do that. (The crafting stations are better, but "people are people". heh.) Similarly, many players want to spend their time making money, and the Trading Post is a relatively easy way to do that. (also many don't understand that they can play the game AND play the market at the same time, but whatever.) I imagine it's the same in most games.

Come on down to Tarnished Coast or Fort Aspenwood. TC often has something going on, such as player-created events (as the "RP Server"), and FA is a nice place to play in a more relaxed environment. Of course, like any community-driven game, there are people who need peak efficiency all the time and don't know how to have fun without it; I tend to ignore them. Though the Escapist guild seems to have fallen apart a bit, my other community guild [http://roosterteeth.com/groups/profile.php?id=14434] is still going strong and having a grand time. I'm sure either would welcome you, if you'd like to join up.

 

[hazabaza1]

Haven't played FF but if the multiplayer side is a big factor for you, stay away from Guild Wars. I've been occasionally playing on and off since launch and after the first month or two the community was dead and has stayed that way.

What server are you playing on? Mine are always packed and Overflowed.

Can't remember, it was about two months ago when I last played. Pretty sure it was on high population, and the only time I saw others players with consistency was AFKers at crafting stations or Black Lion Marketplaces.

That's natural. Players like to look at and reorganize their stuff and the Bank is a good place to do that. (The crafting stations are better, but "people are people". heh.) Similarly, many players want to spend their time making money, and the Trading Post is a relatively easy way to do that. (also many don't understand that they can play the game AND play the market at the same time, but whatever.) I imagine it's the same in most games.

Come on down to Tarnished Coast or Fort Aspenwood. TC often has something going on, such as player-created events (as the "RP Server"), and FA is a nice place to play in a more relaxed environment. Of course, like any community-driven game, there are people who need peak efficiency all the time and don't know how to have fun without it; I tend to ignore them. Though the Escapist guild seems to have fallen apart a bit, my other community guild [http://roosterteeth.com/groups/profile.php?id=14434] is still going strong and having a grand time. I'm sure either would welcome you, if you'd like to join up.

Thanks for the offer, but I'm burnt out on Guild Wars for now. Getting one character to max and another to 40-50ish as well as random "trying out" alts is the most I've done in an MMO before, so it's not really a priority any more.

 

[Comocat]

Guild Wars 2 is a nice MMO to play as a game. Final Fantasy is a nice MMO to play as a hobby. If I had to pick between the two as a modestly interested gamer, GW2 certainly would win in my book. The only reason I'm playing FFXIV is I have a couple friends who play, because IMO, it is not a very good game (if you are playing on your own).

 

[BloatedGuppy]

Final Fantasy is more of an old school grinder. Guild Wars 2 is an MMO Lite. And also a grinder, really, just a sneakier one.

I dunno. Pick the one whose art assets you like more and play it until something better comes out.

 

[symphonymarie]

Thanks guys, all of the love for FF is winning me over for sure! Maybe I'll try to find time for both instead of picking, because this whole discussion isn't helping me make any firm decisions, ha.