Date of SoA Revealed: 3/27/13

[Spira]

Apart from a special price is there even any reason to preorder? Not like you can sell out of digital

[Byrthnoth]

Really though, an extra 8GB? Maybe they're just finally selling a fully patched version.

[Kincard]

I think when the Abyssea collection was fully installed it was like 10 GB without any patching, so the Adoulin collection is either being listed incorrectly, or they're going to make you download the uncompressed, installed game, which would be stupid. >_>

[Byrthnoth]

Even patched, currently the game is only 11 GB

[Slycer]

Maybe Adoulin has 30 mins of 1080p CG cutscenes embedded in the storyline?

I CAN DREAM

[Selamis]

Maybe Adoulin has 30 mins of 1080p CG cutscenes embedded in the storyline?

I CAN DREAM

That will be the opening cutscene upon your arrival there, similar to like how 14 started for Limsa Loisma (sp?)

[Kohan]

Maybe Adoulin has 30 mins of 1080p CG cutscenes embedded in the storyline?

I CAN DREAM

You mean the miserably wooden, mannequin-like, dead-eyed CG that Square-Enix is "renowned" for? With boring "choreographed" battles (see: the phenomenal try-hard, "Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children")? Garbage.

Until their cinematic department learns how to do more than put pretty textures on puppets, I'll take more custom animations using FFXI's in-game engine a la WotG, please.

[Kincard]

If it was in the style of the original XI opening cinematic I think it'd avoid all those things. Not that it'd happen, just saiyan.

[Cairthenn]

You mean the miserably wooden, mannequin-like, dead-eyed CG that Square-Enix is "renowned" for? With boring "choreographed" battles (see: the phenomenal try-hard, "Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children")? Garbage.

Until their cinematic department learns how to do more than put pretty textures on puppets, I'll take more custom animations using FFXI's in-game engine a la WotG, please.

I have to agree that the few cinematics for XI were incredibly sub-par, and I know I've been far more impressed by certain cutscenes that just used the game's engine (I can't specifically name off the top of my head, but there were definitely a few in WOTG Missions and Windurst (S) quest line), but I really enjoyed the direction that XIV cinematics were taking. Cinematic battle scenes are almost always awful though, I cant even begin to imagine why there's such a large focus on them.

[Spira]

apparently because the in-game engine can't do anything similar on the same scale

[Slycer]

SoA expansion is now officially up for preorder on Amazon (PC Digital Download). Ultimate collection with Seekers was already up for preorder.

http://www.amazon.com/Final-Fantasy-...qid=1358277420

Marketing text follows, includes new confirmations like "15 new areas" (only 7 have been shown so far), confirmation of "geomancy" being the new magic, and a little bit of other info.

_________________________________

CONTINUE YOUR EPIC JOURNEY IN A NEW WORLD OF THE FINAL FANTASY XI SERIES

Ulbuka — a land of unexplored wilderness — welcomes any who dare discover its hidden secrets. Unexplored lands, undiscovered treasures, and untold dangers await those brave enough to set foot into the wilds, whether with the swords and sorcery of old, the bells of the primal Geomancers, or the arcane arts of the stalwart Rune Fencers.

Seekers of Adoulin is the fifth installment of the popular online role-playing series of FINAL FANTASY XI. With the newest expansion, players can now extend their journey with never before seen monsters, characters, jobs, and uncharted territory ready to be conquered.

Reclaim the lands of Ulbuka® back to civilization to earn new benefits and unlock new content. Explore the poisonous marshes and murky caves and fight never before seen monsters with the new Rune Fencer and Geomancer jobs.

Key Features:

• 2 New Jobs to master
  
  • Unleash the Elemental Forces of Vanadiel with the Geomancer - Tap into the elemental energies and your positioning to aid your comrades and attack your enemies with unique Geomancy elemental attacks.
  • Harness the Arcane power of Runes with the Rune Fencer - Duel your enemies and defend your allies with blade and incantations empowered with arcane runes that increase your magical defense and elemental resistance.
• 15 New Areas to Explore
• New Reclamation System unlocks new content and resources as you explore and claim the lands of Ulbuka
• Stake your claim and cultivate and harvest your own resources on your own personal piece of land

[ronin sparthos]

If they can produce cutscenes on par with what we had in WOTG, I'm perfectly content.

I do wish this game had voice acting though... Shantotto was hilarious in Dissidia.

[Slycer]

In case anyone wanted to see the box art that we won't be getting in the US (unless you order the Xbox 360 version, I guess):

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...psf89d4b20.jpg

[Chamaan]

David Bowie, David Bowie, and David Bowie, starring as David Bowie, David Bowie, and Iggy Pop.

I still don't know how RNF is going to be able to do anything an Aegis Pld won't be able to do better. It'll be nice to have another half decent DD-tank I guess, it's probably what I'll level.

Edit: Oh shit there's a Mithra in there too. I thought that was like a bird or some shit.

[arus2001]

Not having the graphical illustration of anorexic attacking clowns sitting on my shelf is fine by me.

[Eurell]

2 mithra and 3 humes is what I'm seeing.

[Chamaan]

2 mithra and 3 humes is what I'm seeing.

DUDE you're right. There's another Geo in there in the foreground. Christ almighty. What is going on here? How can amano's work be so minimalist, with all this white space, and still be so damned cluttered? I thought that was just some ukiyo-e Okami cloud bullshit. That one Geo in the back is surfing on the foreground one like Goku on his little golden cloud.

Are they leaping? Falling? Floating? The girl in the front is standing on solid ground with one big Rob Liefeld leg. It's pandemonium.

[Tarage]

Amano can art, we just wish he'd stop.

[Hashmalum]

I still don't know how RNF is going to be able to do anything an Aegis Pld won't be able to do better. It'll be nice to have another half decent DD-tank I guess, it's probably what I'll level.

RNF either gets Runic, Reflect, Magic Armor*, or fails at its intended role. A PLD with Aegis can, as you say, already reduce magic damage taken by a large amount. In order to top it they'll have to absorb it as HP, MP, or be able to turn it back on the enemy somehow.

*By way of explanation, it's from Spellsword/Mystic Knight/whatever you want to translate 魔法剣士 as. Specifically it's the version of that job that appears in Bravely Default: Flying Fairy. It's an ability that's basically the "Kamla'naut's improvement on Enspells" thing; you absorb elemental damage of the same type that your magic sword is currently doing.

[Chamaan]

Absorbing magic is good, but honestly the only way I think it'll be able to make itself useful is to have AoE defensive spheres and buff the whole front line. Something like Rampart but up full time. Because even if you give some really broken self-defensive moves to the RNF, it's still only going to be defending itself against magic. Pld can -MDT everything but Meteor down to near-nothing, WHILE using a shield, so they have defense against physical attacks. My prediction is either the AoE buffs or they'll screw up and make it near immune to magic damage and about as offensively powerful as a half-decent Drg.

Also, third look at the Amano work. That foreground Geo, look at its hand, it's doing a doggy paddle, and that bird-mithra (Birdthra?) only has one Liefield leg too. There are at least four broken spines in there. Learning-To-Swim-Geomancer Geisha (GEISHAMANCER) is the only one with a properly aligned spinal column.