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In a nutshell:Denied a release on the PlayStation 2, Square Enix's first ever massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) comes to the Xbox 360 with all new graphics and all the expansion packs and extras from the PC version.The lowdown:Although this is part of the core, numbered, Final Fantasy series it is a fully fledged MMORPG that cannot be played offline or in single player mode (it also requires a hard drive to work). That said, it's easily one of the most accessible and attractive MMORPGs around and the first proper one to be released on a home console. Once you've created and customised a character, the world of Vana 'Diel is yours to explore and adventure in as you like, with complete freedom to focus on exploration or monster hunting to increase your character's skills. The controls and interface can be a bit fussy at times but the game is great at encouraging teamwork between players, and since this is a social experience above everything else that's all important.Most exciting moment:Ganging together with the other members of your linkshell (an online clan of friends) to take on a giant monster you could never defeat alone.Since you ask:This is the first ever Square Enix game for an Xbox console, but the company has already promised to develop a second, as yet unspecified, title as well.The bottom line:The first ever online Final Fantasy has never looked or played better.Harrison Dent
