Originally Posted by
koko-on-da-forumz
Guild Wars 2 is phenomenal, just the mid-game of Core turns people off. Also the story isn't good (but it's completely optional, especially on alts), and it's not a raid sim. But the PvP, the WvW, the PvE at endgame are top tier. Easily the best 'contemporary' MMO by a country mile. I'd also be honored to get you started in FFXI (retail or Horizon)! The communities in both are actually really refreshingly active, social, helpful, and less "middle school mean girl" than FFXIV.