As someone who started on the PS2 with the Japanese version (when the cap was 50 before it hit NA), it was hit or miss. Also depended on server and whether you were socializing on the forums or other places. I'd say the gameplay of XI is still about the same. The only difference is that you can do everything solo. So the game is pretty much soloable for most expansions, but at endgame you have the ability to play with more people ofc. You can still play with friends though earlier in the leveling or mission progress. Making gil is night and day difference. However, there's only a few servers that you want to be on these days. Otherwise most are at dead ends or dead servers as a whole
