After about an hour of installation, you will finally be able to get started with Final Fantasy XI. Square has made the start-up process real quick, asking that you only select a character, modify it to your will, give it a name, then select a country.

As you can see from our Races section, the game provides slots for eight different faces for each character. In addition to the type of face, you can also select hair color and change your characters body size (Small, Medium or Large).

Your character can be modified considerably as you play the game thanks to a robust equipment system. You can assign equipment to all parts of your body, including multiple rings. With item placement being one of the easiest changes to make to an Online world, you can expect a ton of possible character modifications. Changes to equipment are reflected visually in your character, meaning you shouldn't expect to run into someone in the game who looks quite the same as you; although if you take of all your clothes, you may find a few identical twins in your area.

The next choice isn't a permanent one. Final Fantasy XI features a Job system, in which you select a specialty for your character, ranging from sword play to spell casting. You chose your initial job prior to starting the game, and your character's stats, which include the regulars such as strength, dexterity, vitality, intelligence, agility and charisma, are affected accordingly.

Finally, you must select the kingdom which will be used as the starting point for your adventures. Each kingdom is different in character, and its central town, city or castle is located in a different part of the Final Fantasy XI world map. The game provides three such kingdoms:

Note: Any player of any race or class can start off in any of these kingdoms. But these kingdoms are home to certain races, if you start off as a certain race and start off in your actual hometown, you receive a ring. There is a ring for each kingdom, each raising certain stats and useable at level 1.