I have secretly resumed my leveling of beastmaster in the online installment of the Final Fantasy universe. FFXI we call it, my second grand addiction after the everquest buzz wore off and the relentless PK'ers got old... This is almost year seven of this game for me and sometimes I just yern to get back out there.
Yes the title screen says it all "exploring the world of Vana Diel is a thrilling experience, don't forget your friends, family, or work..." I always laugh a little when I confirm that selection, but it's true the Zen-like quality of the world is such that it is easily addictive.
There is just nothing quite like this game as far ambiance goes, wind in the trees, water effects, it is as close to a meditative experience possible while killing thousands of enemy beastmen in an attempt to reign supreme!
The game certainly shows the huge difference between American and Asian MMO development. The American MMO-market is full of death and destruction, ruthless item questing, and loads of tea-bagging. Whereas Asian MMOs focus on quality of environment and simple things like travel.
In the world of FFXI battle is more of an art with extreme technical styles. Balance is important and only the truly brave attempt breaking the party mold at all. The few that travel deep into rarely used camps at the edge of dangerous areas are usually the mavericks of the game. The Dragoons, Black mages, and the most private and mysterious of all the Beastmaster.
These rare few classes solo in a game never designed for soloing and do so with terribly slow EXP rates plus much chagrin from their fellow adventurers. Beastmasters have enjoyed the title of MPKers for years or camp stealers, much of which spawns from jealousy of watching a single player fulfill an entire party role and grabbing exp chains to the thirds.
The beastmaster is the quiet sometimes shy background character seen to only relate to his flock and have more knowledge of the beasts of the world than any other character. They tame the wild and use nature in the struggle of the day.
When I was first leveling up my original characters like warrior, monk and thief I was always mystified by the roaming beastmasters who seemed so content to make their own path. I always felt so generic sitting in my factory perfect party (tank, dps, healer) when one of these enigmas went by, especially in the old days.
So to fulfill my pledge and mini dream of making it all the way to level 75 solo, I have resumed. After a real hard spot at 57-60 I pushed on through to my current level of 65. I will be resuming my updates as well.
Fall is here and it's the online gaming season, what better time to grind away the cold nights of winter in those dangerous areas no one else goes. As the fellow BST's greet each other, I say: "good hunting!"
very nice
Posted by: kd | March 31, 2009 at 23:46