When it was initially released in Japan over three years ago, Final Fantasy XI Online had very little to do. The level cap was set at 50, there were no advanced jobs, and the game featured relatively few quests. But with the game's release in America, and the release of the Rise of the Zilart expansion, it has grown immensely popular with players from both the United States and Japan, who use the same servers. With over 500,000 subscribers and over 1 million characters, Final Fantasy XI Online is one of the largest massively multiplayer online games (MMOs) in the world. It is also the only cross platform MMO in the world - players are able to log on from both their PCs and PS2s. Square Enix plans to add the Xbox 360 to that list soon, with improved visuals compared to the PS2 version; there will be an optional patch for PC gamers who have the proper hardware.

This review will take a look into what has made this game so great.

The great Star Sybil Tree of Windurst

Final Fantasy XI Online is set in the world of Vana'diel. The three great kingdoms of Windurst, San d'Oria, and Bastok have recovered from the Great War with the Beastmen. Now rumors are surfacing of a plot to resurrect an old and evil menace. You must choose one of the five races and which nation you wish to support in the conflict. The Tarutaru, powerful sorcerers, and the Mithra, a race of nearly all female catlike hunters, live together in Windurst. The Elvaan, proud warriors and excellent swordsmen, live inside the strong walls of San d'Oria. The Hume and Galka, powerful warriors whose size makes them excellent laborers, live together in Bastok. The Hume and Galka, however, do not always agree, since the Galka do much of the work while the Hume oversee things.

These two warriors belong to the Ducal Guard of Jeuno, a great city that, due to its location, serves as a major trade center.