i recently returned to the game to see the 'end' of the game
so far, ive only got about 20 hours of playtime, but what i've experienced merits some feedback
1) the leveling experience is GREATLY improved. what took me nearly a month the last time i played (reaching level 30, sub job unlock, etc) took me about 3 hours this time around. this is amazing. i'm actually making progress at a visible rate, and i dont feel like i'm banging my head against a brick wall.
2) trusts are awesome. now i dont have to sit around for hours on end trying to build a party, or trying to get into a party. i can just summon a few npc's and have my own little party, and play at my pace. NPC's don't care that my gear isnt BiS at all levels. very refreshing, and am having a blast
3) records of eminence. god how i wish this was around back in my day. instead of paying overinflated prices for low level gear, i just use sparks, that i get from just doing what i was doing anyway (killing monsters, getting drops, etc) to gear myself up at my own pace. i dont have to spend hours farming drops to get enough gil to shop the AH.
4) experience gains. the last time i played, we have fov/gov, but we only got like, 20 exp for EP mobs, and no more than 300 (non exp chain) for an IT mob.
now, im getting ~200 for an EP mob. this is so much better than the old days it's hilarious
so far, i'm having such a blast i wont quit within a month of re-subbing, like my last few attempts to get back into the game.
the level and gearing process has been streamlined in an amazing way. kudos to the devs who implemented these things to make the game far, far more enjoyable.
keep up the good work!