Which system is the best to play ffxi on?

[Telal]

Re: Which system is the best to play ffxi on?

I'll just use my laptop for looking up quest :D

[McBride]

Re: Which system is the best to play ffxi on?

When it comes to reliability, I would always go with the PS2. ALWAYS. I had never, ever frozen on it. The 360 and the PC have their own problems though... On 360, not a day goes by that I don't freeze when in Besieged, and often in Dynamis. On PC, third party software often kicks me off, and I get random POL Errors here and there. It drives me nuts.

If I could suck it up and accept short lag bursts with the worse graphics, I'd still be playing on the PS2 today.

[samarium]

Re: Which system is the best to play ffxi on?

When it comes to reliability, I would always go with the PS2. ALWAYS. I had never, ever frozen on it. The 360 and the PC have their own problems though... On 360, not a day goes by that I don't freeze when in Besieged, and often in Dynamis. On PC, third party software often kicks me off, and I get random POL Errors here and there. It drives me nuts.

If I could suck it up and accept short lag bursts with the worse graphics, I'd still be playing on the PS2 today.

From what I hear, the 360's problems stem from overheating. Adding cooling (some kind of third-party cooling platform is sold.... nevermind how MS should've just built it better) oughta help you out.

I have the PC version, simply because it offers me more flexibility and the ability to take screenshots. There are some compatibility issues with x64 processors which cause occasional freezes, but I'm getting those worked out. The other PC (32-bit standard) has never had a single problem.

The only place I experience choppy graphics is Lower Jeuno, and even then it's not all that bad.

-sam

[TheGrandMom]

Re: Which system is the best to play ffxi on?

From what I hear, the 360's problems stem from overheating. Adding cooling (some kind of third-party cooling platform is sold.... nevermind how MS should've just built it better) oughta help you out.

/sigh I've played marathon sessions on my 360 and haven't had a single issue. I think the overheating issue is more on the user end. If you put your system in an enclosed area (i.e. entertainment center), just as with any piece of electronics, it can overheat. I have an open stand of glass and wood that has no sides or back and haven't had a single issue with my 360 during Dynamis, Limbus, Fafnir, etc.

[samarium]

Re: Which system is the best to play ffxi on?

/sigh I've played marathon sessions on my 360 and haven't had a single issue. I think the overheating issue is more on the user end. If you put your system in an enclosed area (i.e. entertainment center), just as with any piece of electronics, it can overheat. I have an open stand of glass and wood that has no sides or back and haven't had a single issue with my 360 during Dynamis, Limbus, Fafnir, etc.

Yeah, it seems to vary from person to person.

An LS-mate of mine bought extra cooling after experiencing shoddy performance and freezes on her 360 and it helped her out, just passing along the info.

-sam

Edit: Clarity

[McBride]

Re: Which system is the best to play ffxi on?

From what I hear, the 360's problems stem from overheating. Adding cooling (some kind of third-party cooling platform is sold.... nevermind how MS should've just built it better) oughta help you out.
-sam

Thanks for the tip, I'll try looking for a cooling system of sorts next time I'm out. In the end, yes, I'm just flailing because I'm skeptical of the system itself... the freezing really doesn't live up to my standards, and every time it happens, I feel like murdering the first-born son of a Microsoft employee. It just feels like shoddy workmanship in comparison to many other systems. Regardless, sometimes cooling systems are needed, I suppose. Sigh.

[Nimrod4154]

Re: Which system is the best to play ffxi on?

I'd go with the 360. I have only played the PC version and 360 though. I have experienced lag around three times total(5 seconds of it) during my whole playing time. I feel like im playing a first player game, it is that smoothe. I can do private voice chats with linkshell members which is a great way to learn things about the game. I would choose 360 > PC > PS2.

Originally I was going to get the PC version again, but couldn't find the original game in stores.

[Lambeaus]

Re: Which system is the best to play ffxi on?

If you already have a 360 w/ harddrive, I'd definitely go with the 360. Playing in HD on a big screen >>>> all.

If you are playing on a 360 without a harddrive, you should be slapped!!!

And if no 360, go with PC.

[lufia22]

Re: Which system is the best to play ffxi on?

PC > XBox360 > PS2

PC: There are things like the windower and such that make the PC superior to the other two. While these things are mostly looked down upon by SE, they are there. However, despite that, I believe the only XBox360 package available is the $50 game that comes with all expansions. The PC currently comes in two packages: the $20 pack that comes with the first two expansions and $30 ToAU. Why is this an upside? Well, ToAU appears to be mostly useless to lower levels. If you end up hating FFXI, that's $30 you can save yourself. One problem with the PC is that, IMO, the best FFXI control setup is Controller + Keyboard. So unless you have a controller for the PC or one of those adapters that allows you to use a game controller on your PC, you'll be stuck with only the keyboard. Because I was a PS2 player at first, I went out and bought me a $10 PS2 USB adapter. So that's a slight added cost to the PC.

XBox360: It's pretty much the same as the PS2 except it has better graphics. The only other difference? Well, the HDD for the XBox360 is actually useful and not a total waste of your money.

PS2: Poor PS2. Not only is the PS2 the ugliest but it also requires you to buy an expensive HDD that is basically useless except for FFXI. Better yet, if you own a slimline PS2, you're SOL.

PC is not only possibly the cheapest but it also has small quirks, even if those quirks may be considered "illegal" by the TOS. Just make sure your PC can handle the game. If not, XBox360 is your best bet.

[Bishop]

Re: Which system is the best to play ffxi on?

You are right on one thing, you dont get the tools you normally get to use for the pc version. But sitting on a lazy boy recliner with a big screen hd more than makes up for it especially if you're into long gaming sessions.

[Fenzark]

Re: Which system is the best to play ffxi on?

I guess it all depends on what kind of gamer you are. If you enjoy sitting stretched back with a controller in hand, I'd imagine the grinding sessions would become longer. Me as a gamer I'm actually sure that I would be more efficient at a console than with a computer, because I always want to do some sort of multi-tasking while at the comp, which you really can't.

[gplourde]

Re: Which system is the best to play ffxi on?

360 picture is wayyy overrated.

Its not HD in anyway and look just like the PC without registry tweak (read suck badly). Frame rate un seriously bad, just go to jeuno and slideshow. On my PC i get higher picture quality and much better framerate. Just get a 7800GTX or 2 and enjoy.
Freezing is true on some 360 depend on lots of factor. My first 360 was over heating while stading alone on my desk and died in a session of FFXI. The replacement 360 didnt freeze in any game yet. So if you got a launch 360 FFXI is a really good way to finish it before warranty expire. New one seem to be fine now.

Still think PC offer the best experience on a powerful PC.

Playing in 720p on my HDTV with a backbuffer at 2048x2048 for really sweet AA no lag at all anywhere AMD64 3800, 2gig of ram, 2x6800GT SLI (7800GTX offer same performance)

[Lambeaus]

Re: Which system is the best to play ffxi on?

360 picture is wayyy overrated.

Its not HD in anyway and look just like the PC without registry tweak (read suck badly). Frame rate un seriously bad, just go to jeuno and slideshow. On my PC i get higher picture quality and much better framerate. Just get a 7800GTX or 2 and enjoy.
Freezing is true on some 360 depend on lots of factor. My first 360 was over heating while stading alone on my desk and died in a session of FFXI. The replacement 360 didnt freeze in any game yet. So if you got a launch 360 FFXI is a really good way to finish it before warranty expire. New one seem to be fine now.

Still think PC offer the best experience on a powerful PC.

Playing in 720p on my HDTV with a backbuffer at 2048x2048 for really sweet AA no lag at all anywhere AMD64 3800, 2gig of ram, 2x6800GT SLI (7800GTX offer same performance)

what kind of TV were you playing with your 360 on?

[gplourde]

Re: Which system is the best to play ffxi on?

Same as pc, the new samsung HD tv for games 26"

[Bishop]

Re: Which system is the best to play ffxi on?

I never get any frame rate drops in jeuno or dynamis so I'd have to disagree with you. And I think the game does look a lot better on the 360 for several reasons. #1 on pc, I use windower, and that makes the game look darker. Increasing the brightness with f11 makes everything unaturally bright. #2, my graphics card is not powerful enough to force AA and AF, so I see a lot of jaggy edges sometimes. The jaggy edges doesn't bother me, but seeing ffxi in it's full glory on the 360 is sometimes pleasing.