Final Fantasy XI:

Xander’s PC on the Behamut serverFirst of all, I just want to point out the fact that you will not find another MMORPG like this. It’s simply the most involving, the most up to date, and the most eventful game you will EVER play! I am going to go through each aspect of the game, simply so you can see how well the game is overall.

First of all, let’s talk about the sound / video. The game’s graphics are very good. They are not top notch, of course, but they are EXCELLENT when compared with the sound and the gameplay. The sound is excellent, I love the music from the game. I loved it SO MUCH that I had to buy the soundtrack. This was a five star rating for me, overall. The graphics are about four stars.

The gameplay is wonderful. I LOVE the game itself because fighting is fun, and it takes time. You have to work with your team and stay on task to win, and that is what is so wonderful about it all! If you wish to stay alive, however, you need to watch where you are. There is a lot of wandering monsters that would LOVE to eat you alive, if you know what I mean… This adds to the thrill of the game. Five stars.

The overall game is wonderful. You will get a lot from this game. It’s tons of fun, and it has a lot to do inside the game. You WILL be fighting a lot, but you will also be questing a lot. You just have to have patience, and the game will grow and become better.

J-Leaguer’s who play this game:

• Shadowstar (Xander), Behamut server (contact aim: thrawn124)
• Darkwave, Behamut server (contact aim: Artic Wynd X)
• Nalio, Ragnarok server

What you need to play:

• Final Fantasy XI: The Vana’diel Collection PC version, cost: $20 + $13/month (includes Rise of the Zilart and Chains of Promathia)
• Final Fantasy XI Xbox 360 version, cost: $40 + $13/month
• Final Fantasy XI with HDD PS2 version, cost: $100 + $13/month (cost includes a hard drive and network adapter for you PS2)

FFXI Accessories:

• Expansion Packs for PC:
  Treasures of Aht Urhgan cost: $25
• Expansion Packs for PS2:
  Rise of the Zilart (I can’t find it check ebay)
  Chains of Promathia cost: ~$15
  Treasures of Ahi Urhgan cost: $27
• Useful Controlers:
  Logitech NetPlay Controller for the PS2 cost: $5-25 if you can find one
  Logitech Dual Action Game Pad USB (for the PC) cost $17, ffxi doesn’t play well with just a keyboard
  Logitech Cordless Rumblepad 2 (for the PC) cost: $32, same as above but it’s wireless and vibrates (woooweee)

World of Warcraft

Maple Story

Ashley’s PC on the Bera serverAs everyone may or may not know, Maple Story is a Korean / Japanese Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game created by Wizet. This game is described as a cute and lovable 2D side scrolling action packed game which many young children as young as seven, teenagers and possibly adults play this game interactively. The game is made to be entertaining as well as humorous. The graphics for Maple Story can be described to be equally the same as from the games ‘Sword of Mana’, ‘Lunar’ and ‘Legend of Mana’. The graphics are beautifully laid out, especially its vibrant backgrounds and its many different types of animated monsters. For the music, it is superb which some are enjoyable to listen. Whenever you are in a different location, the music perfectly fits into the settings. For example when you are around the streets of Kerning, you will listen to a sleek rap type of music, and when you are at the vibrant forests in Ellinia, the music is peaceful and soothing. Additionally, the monsters, weapons and spells give a great deal amount of sound effects in Maple Story which makes the game enjoyable.

However you must be warned that there are quite a number of perverted people who plays Maple Story. Some guys especially runs around in Maple Story trying to hook up the numerous amount of girls or try all sorts of way to date them out. On the other hand some would play the game just for fun, but a word of advise, don’t become a ‘mapleholic’ (a term which I created and defined as a person excessively involved with Maple Story and does not have any or neglect time for any other activities involved in their daily life routine) as the game can be increasingly addictive. Like all online gamings, there is never and end from where you begin from.

While playing the game, hunting down and fiercely fighting monsters in the world of Maple, you eventually have the ability to buy, find or create equipment. Like an adventurer in a fantasy world, you can explore a totally new and mysterious world you have never seen, put on the clothes you desire most and at some point in time attract other players in the process of your journey. You begin the journey by yourself to explore the wilderness of the world and through time will meet new friends through hunting and chatting. Through respect and fame, you may one day become a great leader and will lead your party to battle and protect the land of Maple from harms way.

J-Leaguer’s who play this game:

• Ashley, Bera server (contact aim: Teh Riika )

What you need to play:

• An account on Maple Global (IE only), the game is free but you have to pay money if you want special items.