Downloading the Game

[Economizer]

When I said 'buy it at Best Buy', I was assuming I could get the full set of FFXI stuff in the same way I could get it from steam, just with a physical disc thrown in.

If you can find the same game package sold online (Final Fantasy XI: Ultimate Collection Abyssea Edition) then yes, but odds are it won't be stocked most places, or will cost a premium.

Also, when I buy it from Steam, I'd get my codes to plug into my extant account, right? Never bought expansions or the like off of steam for a game I already owned apart from Steam, so not sure how that works.

I don't think Steam takes keys for FFXI, but you could try calling their support and finding out (Valve is notoriously helpful when it comes to this sort of thing, sometimes they'll even make exceptions for loyal customers).

Oh, and I found a friend (a different one who may or may not be joining me and the friend who has just started) with a game disc still lying around, from WotG era.

This should be perfect. The Abyssea content is all downloaded (if you already have the game running and up to date, it's there). Wings of the Goddess was the last major expansion pack that was on disk, so assuming it was a collection disk, that should get you all the disk expansions.

If downloading updates is a pain for you, such as if you have a 56k connection (yes, FFXI runs on a 56k connection in a pinch, although good luck with the lag), I know certain community websites do link to or host copies of the updates, however this is probably unsupported by SE in case anything goes wrong.

Also, if you're found of disk based expansions, keep an eye out for news on Seekers of Aldouin.

I'm not really interested in getting to high levels, per se, it's the journey that amused me with FFXI.

You don't have to go into Abyssea for experience ever if you don't want to (although it helps since you'll need the cruor), since you can find Grounds of Valor tomes in dungeons and team up with a full alliance (or worst case, solo it).

But really, being a level 99 is its own journey, and is a better journey then grinding out some levels. I might have fond memories of being sub-level cap during 75 cap for example, but this was because I was getting stuff done with friends. You want to have a fun little journey? Being a level 99 will only help you on the journey, not end it.