[Eorzea]

Yet another article from 4Gamer! Not much in the way of "new" information, but it's still worth a look.

The article talks about the most recent alpha test and the server instability and miscellaneous errors that went along with it. It then goes on compare the different types of Lalafell (Plainsfolk, Dunesfolk) and some of the customization options available at character creation. Finally, it goes on to compliment the game's impressive character animations (as well as the fact that in cutscenes characters not only turn their heads towards their target, but also focus their eyes on said target).

That being said, here are 17 more images from the alpha test! Get your Lalafell fix below:

[Hydaelyn]

Hey, sweet! More pics! Not quite as good as all of the alpha leaks out there, but it's always nice to see some stuff posted on mainstream sites.

I like that they complimented the character animations.

[Kurisu]

The character animations really are great! The more pictures I see of Lalafells the cuter they seem to get! It would be nice if we were able to see more environments within the screenshots, but I'm sure we'll be getting a lot more of those soon!

[Eorzea]

Yeah, the environment shots are limited due to very few areas being available for exploration in the alpha test, so I'm afraid we'll have to wait for a while. But yes, the Lalafell are adorable. Many people hate them, though, and think they "ruin" the game. Can't please everyone, I guess!

[Siali]

Eorzea, on Apr 18, 2010 - 5:27 PM, said:

But yes, the Lalafell are adorable. Many people hate them, though, and think they "ruin" the game. Can't please everyone, I guess!

lol that's kinda silly, do halflings ruin fantasy settings? Gnomes, dwarves, pixies? It's just all part of it, hug a Lalafell today!

[Inaaca]

Wow, I didn't realize that some of these screenshots were of the actual player character interacting in the scene until I saw this and compared them to: http://www.beyondvan...essions-images/ I had assumed it was an NPC of some sort.

This level of seeing your character immersed into scenes like this is going to be really awesome. In XI, your character was always very silent, stiff, and emotionless. It's great to see this changing in XIV!

[MiniCloudz]

Great screenshots! Ahhh...! More Lalafell!!!



Visuals are looking better and better, facial detail is fantastic.

I completely agree, Inaaca. I always felt characters moved around very robotic in FFXI, using no emotion apart from /emotes and they still didn't compliment a great deal! Even in cut scenes, NPCs moved very robotic when turning to face another character, etc.

It's great to see characters are finally taking a new lease of life and moving around ever so fluently.

[Eorzea]

Siali, on Apr 18, 2010 - 6:19 PM, said:

lol that's kinda silly, do halflings ruin fantasy settings? Gnomes, dwarves, pixies? It's just all part of it, hug a Lalafell today!

Yeah, I know, right?

I think Lalafell are (err, will be) a great part of Final Fantasy XIV and will provide us with a source of cuteness for years to come!

By the way, "welcome" to the site; it's nice to see you around. I'll be in touch a bit later on.

[Stonycoot]

These pic are amazing. I cant wait to play this game.

The cities still look a bit brown.

[Kurisu]

Stonycoot, on Apr 19, 2010 - 4:51 PM, said:

The cities still look a bit brown.

Yeah, they do. It's such a contrast to the lush, colourful landscapes. Hopefully SE will be injecting much more colour in to the cities as the game progresses.

[Momotaru]

Limsa Lominsa is brown town.. It's still more colorful than Bastok.

Just wait for Gridania.. it will probably blow our minds.
Ul'dah will probably be even more brown, (but appropriately so.. actually, I hope it's like the starting city in FFXII, properly styled for a desert city, but with colorful flags, drapery, etc)

[Eorzea]

Yes, I'm sure Gridania will be one of the most beautiful areas in Final Fantasy XIV and it's likely I'll end up making it my starting city-state (even though I've chosen Ul'dah in my profile at the moment).

Ul'dah would look good if its colors mimicked those of Final Fantasy XII. Good idea.

Back to Limsa Lominsa, though, it's likely things will become even more beautiful (and less brown) by the time the game is released.

[Sibris]

Eorzea, on Apr 18, 2010 - 5:27 PM, said:

But yes, the Lalafell are adorable. Many people hate them, though, and think they "ruin" the game. Can't please everyone, I guess!

If thats true, I would not be surprised... but its not the Lalafell I think that they may be upset towards but the moronic and arrogant 14 year olds that act real bratty with such a small and nemesing looking race in XI... like the stabbing of crotches with their weapons (/cheer emote)... but more importantly, the role model behind this behavior that is Dr. Shantotto, the Taru-b!+Ch that will insult you till you feel like an insect to her and then stomp you and smear your remains with a grin. I hate that *beeeeeeeeeeeep*!

Eorzea, on Apr 22, 2010 - 2:25 PM, said:

... though, it's likely things will become even more beautiful (and less brown) by the time the game is released.

Though I do hope you find what you hope to see in the final release of XIV, lets be a bit realistic here,... you cant give a Desert color... (maybe an oasis sure,...) one thing I don't get about people who complain about color, or the lack of it is how they wanna see some color to places like..... Bastok, a city in the middle of a dried down environment in the lower parts, surrounded by scaly rocky's and a sorta mountain crater wall that protects the city. I remember reading a PC Gamers review and rating on XI when it was first coming out and the guy obviously started and only played in Bastok. Gave it a moderate rating cuz he thought QUOTE The Game lacks color UNCUOTE. Wish I could slap him and make him do a proper job on reviewing a game... that or take his job outright!! *grunt*

Color is nice, as long as its realistic, I too like the more banners idea but as long as they don't go overboard with them.

And since were on the realism topic here, may I just say one thing... one thing that gets me is sound effects... how can a weapon, gun or even staff that dosent have a holster... make a draw and sheath noise... I mean... seriously...

*sigh* w/e

Cheers ;