Of all the online games I've played, only one consistently instills the periodic desire to return. That game is Final Fantasy XI.
Every time I take a break, whether it's because of school, work, or a general frustration with the game coupled with real life stress, I always end up thinking about returning to the land of Vana'diel at one point or another. Sometimes I'm able to fend off the desire, but again and again it returns.
If you're like me and you're considering a return to Vana'diel, there are a few things you will want to weigh before reactivating your account.
Why do I want to return to FFXI?
This question may seem fairly obvious, but it's one that is often overlooked. Did you enjoy the online interaction with other players? Was it the allure of visiting new and exciting places within the world of Vana'diel? Is it because there is a new patch or expansion release that has you excited? Do you miss the challenge that FFXI consistently delivered? Or perhaps the game you left FFXI for has grown dull and you miss the good old times of your former game?
Whatever the reason is, it is important to take a look at the root of what your expectations are for your return.
If you are hoping to hang out with your old friends, do you know for sure that they still play? If they do still play FFXI, are they on the same server? With the implementation of the World Transfer Service, it has become relatively simple to move from one server to the next. Will you be willing to shell out the $25.00 to move your characters to a new location if all your friends have relocated?
If you dream about the days of exploring interesting and new places in Vana'diel, will this be enough to sustain your satisfaction in the game? While it's true that the Wings of the Goddess expansion did add new areas, they are based on past zones. They are, in effect, totally unique with many different foes roaming around. The familiar cities are under siege by beastman forces, and it can be interesting to visit the world as you knew it in a different light. But is a simple revamp enough to tame your adventuring spirit?
If the release notes about a new patch or expansion have caught your interest, have you considered the potential variation of the implementation? Many people were somewhat upset that the Wings of the Goddess expansion totaled somewhere in the 400 mb ballpark. A promise to release additional content through subsequent patches seemed a far cry for what some expected the purchase price of the expansion to cover. There are several accounts of players leaving the game after the release of the infamous "MPK Patch", which forever changed the way the Beastmaster job was played. Some people may say that these concerns are bogus, but in the end you are the one paying the subscription fee. Take the time to read detailed reviews of the proposed changes, and perhaps consider postponing your return until after the changes have been released. How did the community react? Was the implementation of changes satisfactory compared to what you expected?
If you are looking for the challenges that FFXI consistently delivered, will you be happy with a game that has been, in many ways, made easier? As with any aging Massive Multiplayer Online game, or MMO for short, new ways of allowing new players to catch up to the old crowd have to be created. Some of these methods include easier experience points gain, patches that "dumb down" some of the old difficult events, increased ability to play solo, and other changes that help "close the gap." Will you be able to adjust to these new changes, or will you feel bitter knowing that someone else has attained the prestigious rewards you worked so hard for with relative ease?
If you moved on from FFXI and your new game has grown stale, are you sure that FFXI is what you're looking for? Like I've mentioned, Vana'diel may have changed drastically while you've been away. Are you prepared to get a new look at a once familiar place? If your answer is yes, welcome back!
While it may seem that the purpose of this article is to dissuade players from returning to Final Fantasy XI, it is very much the opposite. It is important to note that the majority of MMO's are about community and player cooperation. If you're thinking about returning to Vana'diel, make sure it's for the right reasons and with accurate expectations. Being prepared before returning will ensure you have a more positive playing experience and those who interact with you will be all the better for it. You won't sit awake at night wondering why on Earth you paid a subscription fee for a game you no longer enjoy.
