I can confirm that it is a bad game. I spent about one painful week trying to give it a chance to grow on me. It didn't. There are so many things I don't like about it, the UI probably being the biggest offender.

I miss Final Fantasy XI. I just can't play it anymore though.

I'm still waiting on that PS3 version....lol

So the reason I only did one blog for this game, is that it's a bad game.

I was in the beta for this game, and I really wanted to like it... but as a game, it was nigh-unplayable. Hopefully it's changed for the better based on what I'm reading above.

I'm re-installing/updating my game as we speak. Hopefully the recent and incoming changes can get this game going.

When they release it for PS3, I could see an influx of new players (just like with FFXI and the PS2 and later XBOX 360 releases)...as long as the gaming media revises their reviews and gives the game another shot. :O

Any updates? Are you still playing?

@RustySpoon: The UI lag is pretty damn annoying, but not game breaking.

How's the UI lag? I'm sitting here thinking I'd like to try this for $30, fully expecting a big steaming turd... but I loved FFXI so much. The future of my $30 is in your hands!

@GunslingerPanda: XI was region free also, shouldn't be a shock.

I'm 21 Lancer, 14 Marauder, 11 Gladiator, 11 Pugilist, 14 Conjurer.

Having fun so far. Much easier to make money I find, my armour is much better for my level in comparison with XI.

Some may call me a fool, but I care not! I decided to try FFXIV for myself, and form my own opinion on it. Possibly the most commercially hated MMO out there.

So my journey began when creating my character. I decided to go with a Miqote (a catgirl) since I had played a Mithra in FFXI, and I named her Alyx Blanche, because that's the first random brainfart I had. She is a tiny catgirl with a massive greataxe, I fail to see how this can not be awesome.

I was instantly thrown into the action when I arrived in Ul'dah, the desert city, when a rampant crazygiantmossmonster decided to go on a rampage! The graphics in this game are pretty damn impressive for an MMO and this is obvious from the get go. The first problem I encountered with this game was it doesn't really give any hints as to how to do anything! This isn't that much of a problem since I managed to figure it out, but I missed the Hint messages that appear in so many other MMOs that guide you through the use of your character, journal, and menus. Again, it's not a massive deal since I was able to fumble through it and get comfortable with the controls.

I did battle with crazygiantmossmonster (this consisted of moving near it and clicking on it twice) and came out triumphant! Well, the bloody thing ran off anyway. I was proud! Stuff happened, and I ended up in some building talking to a Falafel imean Lalafell, or whatever those little midget things are called. This appears to be where the tutorial begins, as she soon had me running around doing quests including going to a camp just outside of the city and running around to the various guilds within Ul'dah.

The nice thing about these tutorial missions, and the game in general, is that there appeared to be an actual storyline to it. In an MMO? Madness! Cutscenes introduced me to the various characters I had met with in my epic battle against the crazygiantmossmonster. I felt this was a nice difference from the other MMOs I've played (WoW, Rift, FW, etc.) and I'm actually enjoying meeting these people.

Speaking of people, I had an encounter with another player! While out killing beetles and weird squirrel things, a white-haired Miqote began to heal me. This led to much use of the emotes /bow /cheer /clap and when she spoke, it was Japanese! Apparently this game doesn't have region-specific servers? That's pretty weird, but I'm okay with that.

Why was I killing beetles? Well, I was on my way to a camp where I was then contacted by the midget woman from before and given a levequest! These appear to be identical to quests so far, except they have a time limit and - I assume - added benefits to complete the quest within said time limit. I'm not sure where this mechanic is heading, but time shall tell!

I still haven't gotten into changing up my class yet, which I'm guessing is essential since it seems impossible to actually find anyone selling equipment. Guess I have to craft my own? I shall look into that tomorrow.