Nor, as you seem to be pushing for us to believe, does it actually mean worse.
I've firsthand experience with both FFXI and World of Warcraft's interfaces. They're very different. However, I would hestitate to say FFXI's is genuinely worse. It just takes some getting used to.
Also, you're barking up the wrong tree if you thik there's a chance in Hell Square-Enix is going to retrofit their interface so close to release to closer resemble WoW. They're got bigger priorities over these last few weeks, trying to implement a new interface and troubleshoot it in time for release would be suicide. Their interface does exactly what they want it to: accomidate past and present Final Fantasy XI players.
So I don't find pointing out the merits of WoWs interface to serve any practical purpose other than belly-aching you don't want to learn a new interface.
I wouldn't hesitate at all to say FFXI's interface was magnitudes worse than almost every UI in any MMO out there. The only one that comes close *perhaps* is WW2 Online's, but it at least has the excuse of being nearly 10 years old (it does allow you to do emotes easier though!).
The interface to the "PlayOnline" thing in FFXI was so horrific that I didn't even bother to sign up for this beta test (I like to beta test games just on the off chance I'll get hooked). When the ACCOUNT LOGIN is so horrific that it makes a former customer NOT sign up for something FREE, there is a BIG problem with design.
I really think everyone complaining about the UI just will not be happy unless it is the same as everything else. Why can't thinks be good when they are different. I have no trouble with the UI hell if they had made the UI like WOW or LOTRO than everyone would be calling the game a WoW clone.
If you don't like it you don't like it but it only took about 20 min of in game to be used to the ui and how to use it. It actually responds fairly fast if you just use the keyboard and put the mouse down.
and i don't understand why the ui made the emote quest hard. target said npc hit N to bring up emote list scroll through with arrow keys hit enter when your on the one you want. WoW so complicated that UI is.
Whereas any unobtrusive design would simply allow for the player to simply type /emote or easily click on a list of them, this one requires more steps just to get to the emote list.
These obstacles are not game related and are completely arbitrary and unneccesary. That particular quest was goofy enough without having the UI issues involved with it.
Allowing for the standard use of mouse/keyboard would not make this "like WoW or LoTRo". It would make it like a game built for a PC. I have played both WoW and LoTRo, and, because both games have highly customizable UIs, my setup for either game would be considered far from standard. Forcing users into an uncomfortable control scheme doesn't enhance gameplay, it just turns people off.
not really all those emotes work by typing /laugh /sit /clap You don't have to use the menu you can type / whatever if you prefer to do it that way.
and now don't forget it is only uncomfortable to some others find it quite fine.
And no i'm not against them making the UI more pc friendly i just don't get the rage over it. It works fine smoothly it is just different. Yes customization of the UI would make the game more accessible but The Ui fits perfect for me. I always hated in other mmo's that i couldn't change the UI so that i don't have to use the mouse. None of the others let me use just a keyboard so i'm in the boat you are in when it comes to every other mmo besides the two final fantasy ones.
It is the same for everyone so I do not really care about the UI . It is part of the game and as such thats how I play. Life is too short to sit griping and worrying.
It takes minutes to adapt so who really cares.
________________________________________________________ Sorcery must persist, the future is the Citadel
If only some of the whiners would read this but sadly they want to instantly know everything or hand held all the time.... I don't get how they can enjoy playing being hand holded everytime.
[Edit]
Woot found the song in the opening cutscene when you create a character:
So I stopped for a few days (Had exams so had to study/do them hehe) now I just enter every few days to check on what's happening.
I tried some mix and matches of skills with pugilist and battles are easier now although there's very few monsters around on maps apart of dodos lol.
Bought some new armor because the leve ones are always not good for pugilist -.- and now I wish more there were options to hide head, earring and necklaces.
I mean now I have a mask like head which is not that bad but it's pink! also the necklace I bought looks like a giant golden circle around your neck which makes my character look dumb and I'd rather not have earrings on my character (I have one in real but ingame earrings are always like female ones),
I'd rather not make new pics of my character at this point
Nice review OP and good luck to all those who are still trying to get your keys and downloads.
For my opinion I'll state from the off I'll most prob buy this game.
BUT
My mouse doesn't lag. Not even slightly. (GTX 295, 4 core, 4 GB ram - 1600*1200, everything max) So it does baffle me why when I'm in a town I can arm and sheath my weapon without any problems (using 'F' key) but when I'm in the field sometimes it takes 5 to 10 seconds for my toon to carry out the command? I can't really see this being fixed by using a controller either - hope, whatever it is, they fix it soon. I would say it was my internet lag but it happened so frequently - I would have noticed something wrong with my connection. Equally, I played BF:BC2 afterwards and no lag so...
Played for around 4ish hours now? And starting to get the hang of using the controls. And yes, it is painful but hey, there you go.
The one thing, and the reason I'll buy this one is just the overwhelming amount of stuff there is to this game. For instance, I don't think anyone's mentioned you pay 'god' points to get your god to bless you for a while? What the hell are these? Can I quest to get more of them? And can I ask her to bless me whenever I want? The forest is having problems with me because I've done something wrong... eh? Is there something I can do to cheer it up a little? And man, all that crafting! I don't even know where to begin! I'm gonna try some crafting quests tonight but looking at the recipies online I think it'll be a while before I get all of the regients together to make anything!
And, once you look past the lag between button press and action, the game is like playing a relaxing game of golf. Looks great, weather's good (it actually rained for 3 hours of my play but you know what I mean) and I'm just having a little go here and there... no rush really... just a nice game.
Comments
I wouldn't hesitate at all to say FFXI's interface was magnitudes worse than almost every UI in any MMO out there. The only one that comes close *perhaps* is WW2 Online's, but it at least has the excuse of being nearly 10 years old (it does allow you to do emotes easier though!).
The interface to the "PlayOnline" thing in FFXI was so horrific that I didn't even bother to sign up for this beta test (I like to beta test games just on the off chance I'll get hooked). When the ACCOUNT LOGIN is so horrific that it makes a former customer NOT sign up for something FREE, there is a BIG problem with design.
I know, I design UI's as part of my job.
It is the same for everyone so I do not really care about the UI . It is part of the game and as such thats how I play. Life is too short to sit griping and worrying.
It takes minutes to adapt so who really cares.
________________________________________________________
Sorcery must persist, the future is the Citadel
If only some of the whiners would read this but sadly they want to instantly know everything or hand held all the time.... I don't get how they can enjoy playing being hand holded everytime.
[Edit]
Woot found the song in the opening cutscene when you create a character:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l96P-OPOSDk&feature=related
Beautiful song :P
Update:
So I stopped for a few days (Had exams so had to study/do them hehe) now I just enter every few days to check on what's happening.
I tried some mix and matches of skills with pugilist and battles are easier now although there's very few monsters around on maps apart of dodos lol.
Bought some new armor because the leve ones are always not good for pugilist -.- and now I wish more there were options to hide head, earring and necklaces.
I mean now I have a mask like head which is not that bad but it's pink! also the necklace I bought looks like a giant golden circle around your neck which makes my character look dumb and I'd rather not have earrings on my character (I have one in real but ingame earrings are always like female ones),
I'd rather not make new pics of my character at this point
Nice review OP and good luck to all those who are still trying to get your keys and downloads.
For my opinion I'll state from the off I'll most prob buy this game.
BUT
My mouse doesn't lag. Not even slightly. (GTX 295, 4 core, 4 GB ram - 1600*1200, everything max) So it does baffle me why when I'm in a town I can arm and sheath my weapon without any problems (using 'F' key) but when I'm in the field sometimes it takes 5 to 10 seconds for my toon to carry out the command? I can't really see this being fixed by using a controller either - hope, whatever it is, they fix it soon. I would say it was my internet lag but it happened so frequently - I would have noticed something wrong with my connection. Equally, I played BF:BC2 afterwards and no lag so...
Played for around 4ish hours now? And starting to get the hang of using the controls. And yes, it is painful but hey, there you go.
The one thing, and the reason I'll buy this one is just the overwhelming amount of stuff there is to this game. For instance, I don't think anyone's mentioned you pay 'god' points to get your god to bless you for a while? What the hell are these? Can I quest to get more of them? And can I ask her to bless me whenever I want? The forest is having problems with me because I've done something wrong... eh? Is there something I can do to cheer it up a little? And man, all that crafting! I don't even know where to begin! I'm gonna try some crafting quests tonight but looking at the recipies online I think it'll be a while before I get all of the regients together to make anything!
And, once you look past the lag between button press and action, the game is like playing a relaxing game of golf. Looks great, weather's good (it actually rained for 3 hours of my play but you know what I mean) and I'm just having a little go here and there... no rush really... just a nice game.
Whatever you decide - hope you enjoy yourself!
Good to see more people enjoying it hopefully the game will launch in a decent way.
It's mostly a wait and see 22 is a bit far for now hehe there's still some time for fixes, etc.