Well, BradyGame's new guide for Final Fantasy, the Final Fantasy XI Atlas just came out yesterday, and I was among the first in Indianapolis to get it (woot! was there as they openned the box!) I've had some time now to look at it, and must say that it is much more impressive than the peice of dren BradyGames put out previously for FFXI. In fact, I really do like the Atlas. Aside from a few shortcomings, it is a guide I recommend whole-heartedly. Read on for more.

The problem with Brady

Perhaps the biggest problem with Brady in FFXI gamer's eyes is how inaccurate (and even offensive) their original FFXI guide was. There have been many posts online showing just how wrong the Brady guide was, and generally people in the know recognize the guide sucked. Everything from advising Warriors to use Swords, to suggesting to future Dark Knights that they try WAR/BLM a bit to "get a feel for things to come" could be found in this crapfest.



However, don't let the shoddy quality of the first guide disuade you from getting this one. The atlas has much more going for it :-)

Maps and connection info

You know how difficult it is to find your way around Yhoator Jungle? Ever try to get to Fei'yin through Beaucedine Glacier? Or how about find the tele crystal in Xarcabard? While the maps in the game do help, they aren't intended to replace exploration of the world of Vana diel.



The Atlas, on the other hand, shows you all of the connection information as well as specific sights that can be found in each area. Using it, you can easily navigate Yuhtunga Jungle and find your way through Crawler's Nest. It does a very good job of illustrating hidden paths in each area and explaining how to get around.

NPCs and NM locations

Perhaps my favorite bit of information that the Atlas provides is a lost of NPC locations and NM spawns. Most NPCs in the towns (certainly, all the critical ones) are exposed. Many NPCs are mentioned with respect to specific quests or missions they are involved in. Some are mentioned because of the rare or inexpensive items they sell.



Additionally, nearly every NM is mentioned. Their most important drops are listed and even some general strategies are told for specific ones. Some NMs they list the spawn times, or triggers, others they explain whether a party or an alliance is needed. General spawn areas are pointed out for each NM (which is mostly accurate, the few exceptions being those NMs with altered spawns in the Dec. 2004 patch) making tracking down that ellusive NM you've been wanting much easier.



At the end of the guide is a comprehensive list of all the NMs in the game at the time the guide was written. This list gives you, at a glance, useful information on every NM in the game.

Beastiary and Dangers

Each area's beastiary is also listed along with stats for them such as level ranges, whether they aggro or not and what they aggro too, and mob-types (do they have a job? MNK, DRK, WAR, etc.) Specific dangers are also mentioned such as mobs that aggro only to magic, or enemies that aggro to sound but can hear through sneak.

Levelling Strategies

Perhaps the most startling component of the Atlas I found was the fact it listed specific levelling strategies for many areas. The common levelling paths are all here such as the Dunes, Qufim, Garliage Citadel, etc., but many other alternative areas are included as well. For example, did you know that the entrance to Castle Oztroja is a prime levelling spot for your late teens? How about the fact that Toraimarai Canal works well as an alternative to Garliage Citadel and Crawler's Nest? Most surprising was the fact that the "Bones Areas" for MNK heavy parties are even listed as options.



Possible camps, suggested prey, and potential problems are listed for each alternative area. A person with this guide will never again have to ask "Where could we go?" when they pick up a party to level.

BCNMs

Every BCNM in the game is listed as well as the basic stats for each. While no specific strategies are mentioned, you can see very quickly where a BCNM is located, how many seals it will cost you, any limits to your party, and what you will be fighting.

Problems

The Atlas is not perfect, however. Some areas still lack maps (indicating the authors have yet to actually unlock them. Most notable ones are Sea Serpent Ghrotto and Temple of Uggalepih. Considering how important these areas can be at times, this was a disappointment.



NM stats are rarely mentionned. In the lists of mobs in the areas, the NMs are always included at the end with no information on them at all. Some NMs are talked about in boxes elsewhere in the page, and quite a bit of detail is supplied there, but this is by no means comprehensive.



The most notable problem is the fact it does not contain any information relating to the Chains of Promathia expansion pack. A person involved in the book actually shops at the GameSpot I do in Indianapolis, and he has told me the reason for this is actually because the guide has been complete since August or September 2004, but Brady has taken so long to release it that the information is slightly out of date.

Conclusion

In spite of the few shortcomings I have mentioned here, the guide is excellent. I would very much recommend it to anyone looking for a moderately comprehensive Atlas of the game. Don't let the fact that the other Brady guide sucked so much. This one is a keeper :-)