Finally, after almost 3 years of speculation and rumor, the PS2 Hard Drive (HDD) is finally out. This, of course, has led to one major question for most PS2 owners: To buy, or not to buy? I'll save you the time for having to read the entire review: If you have no interest in Final Fantasy XI, there is little reason to buy the hard drive at this time. While this should hopefully change in the near future, as it stands now the HDD serves as merely a vessel for Final Fantasy XI. But, for those who are looking to jump into the online world of FFXI -- this is a must buy all the way.

I was really impressed with FFXI's graphics. Having originally played the excellent looking PC version, I was worried that the PS2 version might not stack up. While the PS2 version loses some of the sharpness (mostly due to screen resolution differences), any other differences are a non-issue. Those who have not had the chance to check out the PC version, you're in for a real treat. The world of Vana'diel looks incredible and is populated with some amazingly detailed characters. As you travel from one area to another, your surroundings change in a natural progression. As you go from fertile grasslands to a barren mountainside, everything changes gradually instead of instantly transporting you to a new, different looking area. With all the praises come a few complaints, both of which are minor. Character animations are good, but tend to suffer from some jerkiness at times. Actions are also a bit stiff, especially in combat, but I've yet to see an online game with dynamic animations, so this is easily overlooked. To a slightly larger extent, I wasn't all that pleased with the limited number of character looks available. While you can add some customization to your character via the equipment you choose, expect to see a number of clones running around town.

The soundtrack and sounds are all Final Fantasy, complete with new tunes and a few echoes of classic favorites. I recently imported the soundtrack, which is something I rarely do, if that gives you any idea of the level of quality. During times when music isn't playing in the background, ambient noises sound off all around you. It's all rather peaceful to hear the chirping of birds, the babbling of a brook or the war cries of a monster as it attacks you. Okay, so maybe the last one isn't that peaceful, but it's nice.

The primary difference that sets Final Fantasy XI apart from other MMORPG's is that it features a story. Yes, Star Wars: Galaxies has tried to weave some storylines into the game with the recent 'Cries of Alderaan' and 'Imperial Crackdown', but FFXI sticks you at the center of your story. While there is not a unique storyline for each character on the server, the effect adds something different to the genre. Before we go any further, I think it's important to point out that there is no Single-player mode in FFXI. Unlike every other Final Fantasy, FFXI can only be played online.

You begin by creating your character. There are five races from which to choose: Hume, Elvaan, Galka, Tarutaru and Mithra. Each of these races comes with their own racial benefits and penalties that make them more adept at certain jobs. For example, Humes are good, all-around characters that can pick up any job they want while Elvaan are skilled swordsman and make for good warriors. The jobs you have to choose from come straight from the FF Universe and are separated into basic and advanced classes. Standards such as Monks, Fighters and Mages (of three varieties: Red, Black and White) make up the basic jobs, while jobs like Summoner, Samurai and Bard make up the advanced tree. When you start your adventure, you are limited to holding one job, but as you progress, you'll eventually be able to pick up another basic 'sub-job', and eventually earn the chance to choose from one of the more powerful advanced jobs.

In addition to selecting your race and job, you will also have to choose to align yourself with one of the game's three major nations in Vana'diel; The Kingdom of San d'Oria, Republic of Bastok or Federation of Windurst. Deciding which nation to join is a bigger decision that it first appears. Not only does this determine where you'll begin the game, but also if you choose your race's home nation, you'll receive a special ring. Your choice will also determine parts of your character's story. During the game you'll be able to run missions for your nation, which will increase its presence in that area and improve its economical and social standings in the world. Where you go from here is up to you. You can choose to run quests to improve your standing in the world, ride a Chocobo or Airship, spend hours fishing in the lakes of Vana'diel or join a Linkshell (the in-game term for a clan).

Final Fantasy XI takes a slightly different approach to the standard formula MMORPG. Whereas other games seem to focus more on building your online 'life', FFXI's primary concern is adventuring with friends. Much of the game is based around story-driven quests you can embark upon for monetary, EXP and item gains. In the early stages of the game you can tackle things by yourself, but when you get to the later parts of the game, parties are a necessary part of the experience. I liked this focus since it builds upon the primary reason people play MMORPGs in the first place -- interaction with real humans. However, you wouldn't think the game was too concerned with playing with your friends after experiencing what could possibly be one of the worst decisions ever made in a MMORPG -- random server assignment. When you create your character, you are assigned to a server instead of choosing one. Once in the game you can buy a 'World Pass', which allows you to invite your friends to your server via a special code. The problem with this is that they must start a brand new character on your server. Given the price of 'World Passes' in-game (which are NOT cheap), by the time you're able to obtain one, your character's level will be relatively high while your friend is at level retarded. Of course, a work around has been found, but it shouldn't have had to be found in the first place.

Final Fantasy XI is what you make of it -- so there is no cut and dry difficulty level. As with every RPG, you are weak in the beginning, which limits what you can do. In order to make things easy on yourself, it's recommended that you stay close to your hometown early on. Brave souls can team up with other characters and take on bigger monsters. Traveling in parties is the recommended means of tackling the game since you'll not only be able to take on tougher challenges, but it can also reduce the number of times you're transported back to your hometown after death, which results in an EXP penalty.

The interface can be a little confusing at first, but after a few hours in the woodshed they can be easily learned. All combat takes place in real-time menu based set up. All commands are handled through a system of menus, similar to the offline Final Fantasies. During combat you can choose to cast spells, attack or pull off special moves by selecting them on a menu. When you are grouped with other players, combat becomes a team effort. Party members can build on each other's attacks and, with the correct moves and timings, pull off devastating combo attacks. Out of combat an additional set of menus handle every other aspect of interaction. This is where most of the confusion comes in, especially when it comes to forming parties. It is highly recommended that players pick up a USB keyboard (something that should already be in the inventory of most online PS2 gamers already) since it makes communication with other players much easier.

Once again, let me reiterate that Final Fantasy XI is an online only experience that requires that you not only have the HDD, but you also need the PS2 Network Adapter. As expected, this makes FFXI a pricey endeavor. The first part of the equation is easy to manage since the game can only be purchased as a pack-in deal with the PS2 HDD, which comes to about 99 dollars. For those wanting to pick up the hard drive, but have no intention of playing FFXI, there's really no reason to pick it up right now. Other than serving as a required peripheral for the game, the HDD is basically just a 40 gig way to store game saves that may be cluttering up your memory card. So a wait and see approach might be best. Those without the Network Adapter should also wait before picking up the hard drive since most of the functions planned for the HDD require taking the system online. Content downloads, such as SOCOM II maps, are planned for the future. On top of this, you need the Network Adapter (which is needed to both attach and power the HDD). The game supports both Broadband and Dial-up services. There is also a monthly fee of 12 dollars a month to play the game, with an additional dollar added for each additional character you wish to create.

And, there you have it, two reviews for the price of one.