Square Enix

According to ESRB, this game contains: Blood and Gore, Violence

According to ESRB, this game contains: Blood and Gore, Violence

One of the first things that stands out about FFXI is that there's an actual story involved in the game. Granted, it's not a major story, and it's not essential to enjoying the title, but for those gamers who like a reason for their missions and quests, it's pretty decent.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Violence

Game Description: In Final Fantasy XI Online, the world of Vana'Diel stands at the brink of war. Three powerful nations, united in their plight against the beastmen forces, look to their last hope -- brave adventurers like you! Step into this world and journey forth on grand adventures with players from all across the globe. Final Fantasy XI is the first online game in the award-winning Final Fantasy series. Set out on your own to discover the countless secrets of Vana'diel, or form a party with your friends to purge the beastman forces and bring home sensational spoils. How you play is up to you -- the possibilities for adventure are limitless.

Let me get something out of the way before I say anything else: I absolutely loved Final Fantasy X (FFX). The game's "sphere grid" ability system worked wonderfully, the story was engaging and full of spectacle, and it had some of the most memorable, most roundly-written characters I've had the pleasure of playing.

Game Description: In Final Fantasy X-2, you'll return to the incredible game world you explored once before, for a new set of thrills and challenges!

If FFX was Tidus' story, then X-2 is Yuna's. And her story is funny, bittersweet, poignant and downright witty in turns, all wrapped up in some tight but stylish gameplay.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Suggestive Themes, Violence

Despite my bravest attempts at immersion, however, I never reached the point where Origins was consistently enjoyable. The games definitely belong to another era; an era that I haven't played enough Dragon Warrior or Phantasy Star lately to be truly at home with anymore.