Gaming Critique: Final Fantasy Philosophies: XIV vs. XI, Proficiency vs. Growth

How Two Philosophies Differ

If there is one thing that Final Fantasy fans can relate, it's that each Final Fantasy game can test the player to a degree of attaining skill; via leveling up and getting the appropriate gear for the appropriate character. There are additional nuances such as enemy weaknesses, boss patterns, synchronization with player characters, etc. However, at its core, there are two philosophies that take place during this process, and how the game was made determines the one that best reflects the way the game is played. These two philosophies are Proficiency (understanding of a specific topic) and Growth (maturity from understanding topics). That said, the best examples of this (oddly enough) come from two online games that I have played recently (and as of this writing, taken a minor break due to financial rebuilding): Final Fantasy XI Online and Final Fantasy XIV Online.

How Do Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIV factor into this?

Simply put, each of these games has a targeted method of gameplay style to these philosophies. The first, Final Fantasy XI, focuses more on Growth of the Player, the Characters/Jobs they play, and the World they are a part of. Whereas Final Fantasy XIV differs greatly on Proficiency and has focused its gameplay heavily in that regard as well. 

The Pros and Cons of Proficiency

Proficiency, by definition, is the masterful understanding of a topic or subject matter. In the case of Final Fantasy XIV, as that is the best example of proficiency clearing trials and raids are primarily proficiency heavy. This means if you understand how a trial works, you are proficient in responding when necessary. With each trial having its own methodology to complete it, having mastery over them is a sign of proficiency. In fact, in reaching higher levels certain fights are determined to have phases that can be bypassed. This is a testament to the proficiency of understanding that instance and how you as the player can quickly overcome it...at a cost.

While the pros are that the game is more proficient heavy, that also means players have to learn each and every fight over and over to (1) gain proficiency in it and (2) put that learning to use. The other con is that the trials are isolated. Yes, they may have overlapping mechanics and methods, but the grander scheme, they are all islands among themselves, each with their own independent way of completion. Speaking of 'way of completion,' proficiency does not provide room for creative thinking and planning. Instead, each trial requires you to follow clear-cut instructions (express and implied) and failure to do so is a defeat (aka wipe). This is further compounded by the need to quickly complete a task, making for thorough or completionist runs an impossibility. Proficiency and Complete Mastery will never coincide. Yet, despite this fact, older more proficient players will demand of the younger/less experienced ones to 'know the fight' or they will be ostracized or worse. 

The Pros and Cons of Growth

While Proficiency is the Mastery of a particular area, growth is the culmination of Mastery over a period of time and over a variety of subjects. Final Fantasy XI shines in this aspect of philosophy. From the get-go, your actions are designed so that no only do you level up, you also grow in ability and skill...literally. There are stats such as Black Magic Skill, Guard, and Shield that must be built up in order to be effective in the later stages of the MMORPG. Another testament to growth is the journey/exploration of the world the players are in. While they learn the inner workings and factions, they must traverse over terrain teeming with powerful monsters, both the garden variety AND the Notorious. As the player progresses in level and skill, the tasks they face also increase and the world around them continues to grow and shift. This, of course, does present its own share of problems.

The most prevalent is the 'reaching the ceiling.' Ultimately, this problem can exist on opposing ends, both to those trying to reach the end, and those that HAVE, finding they have no other place to go. Let's address the first aspect. With Growth, the entirety of this philosophy becomes overwhelming to the beginner, as they offer little in ways of getting players started. In some cases, they are left to the wilds to survive. There's also no set path to follow. This is counter to proficiency in that clear-cut instructions are a mandate. So what ends up being the result is trial-and-error followed with experience from failure...a similar result of proficiency yet generalized. Finally, once you DO reach the top, there is very little to almost nothing left; leveling is now relegated to the background.

Where Each Online Final Fantasy Stands

While both Final Fantasy can incorporate both beliefs, Final Fantasy XI is a stronger on the Growth side than in Proficiency; vice versa with Final Fantasy XIV. 

Final Fantasy XI's Focus

From the beginning of the game, FFXI gets you going with a job, and that's it. The rest you learn as you go and grow knowledgeable with your experiences; both in-game and with interactions from fellow players. As you learn where everything is and the way the economy works you then focus on combat and skill. Little by little, through trial and error, and overall experience from long parties and longer treks throughout Vana'diel you grow stronger and wiser as a player. The world is your teacher and your greatest challenge. To show mastery in this game you must go through practice; each job, each trait, each stat, each piece of gear. Only when you have an understanding of all these and then put to the test in the Endgame content provided will you have a complete experience; in a sense, you have grown up. Proficiency is merely a cap of performance in regards to stats and also how you are able to handle situations on the fly, thus once capped you cannot become more proficient. This works against the game as once you reach the ceiling, there is nothing much left aside from what may seem tedious. Also, REACHING that height is a growing pain; in today's modern gaming culture, the patience to reach said heights is an unaffordable luxury.

The Focus of Final Fantasy XIV 

FFXIV, however, has a tendency at first to hold one's hand during the story elements and quests, but where it stands out is the various trials and fights that you face; this is the focal point of proficiency. Each trial has three phases; each phase has corresponding actions/patterns; each pattern has a method that must be used to either avoid it or mitigate damage. This is all XIV has to offer. There is no growth to be made as once you've understood the structure of trials, you've completed 90% of the game. The remaining ten perfect of potential 'growth' left has been neglected and shunned by the community as a whole. This gives the game a sense of stagnation that is not as evident as XI until you reach full Job Mastery. Instead, you are trapped in the endless loop of trials and gear upgrades; this artificial growth stunts players into a sense of entitlement instead of accomplishment as the gear itself is discarded with the ease of unwanted items.

CONCLUSION

While both games have their merits, ultimately FFXI is a far superior experience in that it encourages players to grow into their jobs; knowing each area of proficiency and utilizing them in every aspect of the game itself. XIV only applies proficiency into its game, leaving growth to the wayside and thus, making a weaker player base. Naturally, there will be those against such a stance, but the evidence is made clear. Finally, you can bypass growth and wisdom in XIV, meaning effort and knowledge are discarded for convenience and instant gratification. That is no way to 'git gud' nor show real improvement.