An Expansion to be Treasured
Square Enix pushes Aht Urhgan to FFXI freaks... and breaks our spell checker in the process.
Published: April 19, 2006
We were talking yesterday about what a success Final Fantasy XI has been when it comes to seamlessly bridging console and PC hardware to deliver a game that works so well many players don't even know the person they're playing alongside are playing on another platform entirely.
Well, it's about to get even more impressive, as the Treasures of Aht Urhgan expansion hits not only the PS2 and PC, but the Xbox 360 as well, making for three simultaneous systems that the game works on. 360 owners are getting the best deal, of course, as they're pulling down the original FFXI game, plus the Rise of the Zilart expansion that US PS2 owners got (Japanese gamers had to pay for it), plus the Chains of Promathia expansion that came with the US PC release.
Aht Urhgan is something of a fan service addition, geared both towards the newcomers familiarizing themselves with the 360 version and the hardcore players that have ground through the game for the past few years. New classes (Blue Mage, Puppetmaster and Corsair), new locations, new cooperative modes (Assault and Besieged) and new high-level FF-themed monsters like Trolls, the Undead and Cerberus have all been added.
But wait, there's more! Actually, there's just this storyline synopsis we're pasting in:
"An all-new storyline arc awaits adventurers who venture to the land of Aht Urhgan. A mysterious influx of monsters has made travel through the regions difficult, separating inhabitants among the regions. Unrelenting beastmen attacks endanger the safety of the Astral Candescence and all brave adventurers in Al Zahbi must take up arms in an all-out effort to protect the Candescence. Adventure, excitement and challenge await those who seek fame, prosperity and acclaim in the land of Vana’diel"
Regardless of platform, you can head out to stores now and pick up the expansions or full game and start playing with people from all over the world across three different platforms. The inner geeks in us just giggle at the very notion of that, and we hope it's a trend that takes off in more multiplayer games. If not, there'll always be a place for us in Vana'diel.
Well, it's about to get even more impressive, as the Treasures of Aht Urhgan expansion hits not only the PS2 and PC, but the Xbox 360 as well, making for three simultaneous systems that the game works on. 360 owners are getting the best deal, of course, as they're pulling down the original FFXI game, plus the Rise of the Zilart expansion that US PS2 owners got (Japanese gamers had to pay for it), plus the Chains of Promathia expansion that came with the US PC release.
Aht Urhgan is something of a fan service addition, geared both towards the newcomers familiarizing themselves with the 360 version and the hardcore players that have ground through the game for the past few years. New classes (Blue Mage, Puppetmaster and Corsair), new locations, new cooperative modes (Assault and Besieged) and new high-level FF-themed monsters like Trolls, the Undead and Cerberus have all been added.
But wait, there's more! Actually, there's just this storyline synopsis we're pasting in:
"An all-new storyline arc awaits adventurers who venture to the land of Aht Urhgan. A mysterious influx of monsters has made travel through the regions difficult, separating inhabitants among the regions. Unrelenting beastmen attacks endanger the safety of the Astral Candescence and all brave adventurers in Al Zahbi must take up arms in an all-out effort to protect the Candescence. Adventure, excitement and challenge await those who seek fame, prosperity and acclaim in the land of Vana’diel"
Regardless of platform, you can head out to stores now and pick up the expansions or full game and start playing with people from all over the world across three different platforms. The inner geeks in us just giggle at the very notion of that, and we hope it's a trend that takes off in more multiplayer games. If not, there'll always be a place for us in Vana'diel.