I have seen both in action, and both of course have pros and cons accordingly. Firstly, I will speak on WoW, from what I have personally seen. I have friends and family that play that game and the graphics look sound. The coding in it is very similiar to FF:XI and a few others from what I have been told, in that text colors, basic executables (macros and such), abilities, etc. What WoW has that is deffinatly a pro to someone who might not have friends on at the same time, is the ability to play solo. Also, again from what I have been told (correct me if Im wrong, Alery/Arwen), the side plot stories have some impact on the main storyline wherein it meshes rather well. Leveling seems to be easier as well.
Now, on something I am more aware of from a firsthand account. FF:XI is quite simply acclaimed to be the best storyline for an MMORPG available. Then again, Square Enix has always been one of the leaders in RP Games for the game consoles. The Missions track, which advances the player through the main storyline, is quite difficult however and really is for those who have advanced some in levels before trying. Square Enix wants the player to feel comfortable and get out of their Newbie stage before getting to the meat of the game. There are advanced Jobs that you can persue and quest for (IE: Paladin/Beastmaster/Dragoon/etc) and even a secret society that you can join through Invitation called the Tenshodo. Airships, Seafaring Ships, and Chocobos are modes of transportation that are available (after certain quests are completed) that opens up other parts of the world to you or you can simply run wherever you like and take in the spectacular scenery that Square Enix has put together. Skills (ie: cooking/leatherwork/goldsmithing/etc) are also available if you want to make your own enhancing foods or armor and weapons. The only con that I can come up with is that levels after 30 take time to advance (1 week and only two levels to show for it....though high levels on WoW are prolly similiar), and updates are dreadfully slow. Also the game is strongly encouraging towards joining parties to complete your agendas. That however can be a pro or a con depending on how you look at it. When I started, my breath was taken away by this game....and IMHO, its deffinatly worth the 29.99 for the game, if just to try it out for its 30 day trial period.
I'd like to add that things like crafting skills are present in WoW as well. You get to pick two main professions (one usually supports the other - like Skinning and Leatherworking), along with minor profs like First Aid or Cooking.
Levelling in WoW slows down after 40 or so, but again, that depends on how much you play and how you spend the time you're playing. There's word of someone getting from 1 to 60 (highest level) in three days. Now, I expect they didn't sleep, eat, and just spent time grinding in a group or running instances, but nonetheless... it's possible.
Each class in WoW has their own quests in addition to the ones that can be picked up by anyone. There is a /lot/ of quests to do. On my main, I have to keep deciding which ones I want to do, which ones I'll drop, which ones I'll come back for later. My quest log has been full since level 15 or so.
As far as the storyline goes, to be honest I haven't paid much attention to it. But, most quests fit in together quite nicely. Undead alchemists will have you gather ingredients for a plague, while gnomish engineers will have you running to get totally bizarre ingredients for totally bizarre gadgets. Engineering has to be one of my favourite in-game professions. It's hilarious.
WoW has lots of little jokes and easter eggs inserted into it. Like 'The One Ring' or a zeppelin master named Hin Denburg. One of the quest rewards is a set of explosive called 'Gnome Fishing Pole'.
I hear endgame is a little boring in WoW, but considering how long it'd take most of us (i.e. gamers with lives) to get there, I don't think it's much of an issue at the moment.
And of course, you can watch Odin play and see if you like WoW. Or I can show you some of my gameplay later (simply for a show of what you can do at higher levels. I have access to more areas and stuff.)
Use Odin's pass and try WoW. If you don't like it, you'll know why then... if it's stuff like mechanics and gameplay in general, then you won't like any MMORPG. That'll solve your problem nicely enough. :)
no subject
Date: 2005-04-21 08:13 pm (UTC)Now, on something I am more aware of from a firsthand account. FF:XI is quite simply acclaimed to be the best storyline for an MMORPG available. Then again, Square Enix has always been one of the leaders in RP Games for the game consoles. The Missions track, which advances the player through the main storyline, is quite difficult however and really is for those who have advanced some in levels before trying. Square Enix wants the player to feel comfortable and get out of their Newbie stage before getting to the meat of the game. There are advanced Jobs that you can persue and quest for (IE: Paladin/Beastmaster/Dragoon/etc) and even a secret society that you can join through Invitation called the Tenshodo. Airships, Seafaring Ships, and Chocobos are modes of transportation that are available (after certain quests are completed) that opens up other parts of the world to you or you can simply run wherever you like and take in the spectacular scenery that Square Enix has put together. Skills (ie: cooking/leatherwork/goldsmithing/etc) are also available if you want to make your own enhancing foods or armor and weapons. The only con that I can come up with is that levels after 30 take time to advance (1 week and only two levels to show for it....though high levels on WoW are prolly similiar), and updates are dreadfully slow. Also the game is strongly encouraging towards joining parties to complete your agendas. That however can be a pro or a con depending on how you look at it. When I started, my breath was taken away by this game....and IMHO, its deffinatly worth the 29.99 for the game, if just to try it out for its 30 day trial period.
no subject
Date: 2005-04-21 08:25 pm (UTC)Levelling in WoW slows down after 40 or so, but again, that depends on how much you play and how you spend the time you're playing. There's word of someone getting from 1 to 60 (highest level) in three days. Now, I expect they didn't sleep, eat, and just spent time grinding in a group or running instances, but nonetheless... it's possible.
Each class in WoW has their own quests in addition to the ones that can be picked up by anyone. There is a /lot/ of quests to do. On my main, I have to keep deciding which ones I want to do, which ones I'll drop, which ones I'll come back for later. My quest log has been full since level 15 or so.
As far as the storyline goes, to be honest I haven't paid much attention to it. But, most quests fit in together quite nicely. Undead alchemists will have you gather ingredients for a plague, while gnomish engineers will have you running to get totally bizarre ingredients for totally bizarre gadgets. Engineering has to be one of my favourite in-game professions. It's hilarious.
WoW has lots of little jokes and easter eggs inserted into it. Like 'The One Ring' or a zeppelin master named Hin Denburg. One of the quest rewards is a set of explosive called 'Gnome Fishing Pole'.
I hear endgame is a little boring in WoW, but considering how long it'd take most of us (i.e. gamers with lives) to get there, I don't think it's much of an issue at the moment.
no subject
Date: 2005-04-21 08:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-04-21 08:42 pm (UTC)*grins*
Maybe I shall stick with Civ, AQ and RS. :)
no subject
Date: 2005-04-21 08:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-04-21 09:04 pm (UTC)