Quote Originally Posted by Neptune View Post
Is it too late? Yoshi-P has invested most of 2011 in a way that completely bypasses the concerns of the FFXIV launch reviewers. I think the work will bear fruit. However, what may remain after 2011 may be a mediocre game devoid of the brilliance that glimmered ever so slightly in the eyes of the above reviewers.

I don't think it's too late to grasp Tanaka's brave vision for FFXIV.
This was posted in May before you got to see some of the changes in the works. However, I think that Yoshida has done a better job than you initially feared. Many of the changes in the works are breaking down previous obstacles that critics found annoying (no more fatigue, allowing for more leves to build up, most ledges no longer block travel, etc.). The UI has been improving, and is still getting better. They have been adopting certain "standards" that MMO players will find familiar, and I think that's good for bringing new players, especially.

But there's still a ways to go. I think ultimately they need to address that "laggy feeling" you get with positioning characters and executing combat abilities. And there's a need to create a more efficient and sensible means of buying and selling that the Market Wards haven't been able to accommodate up until now.

As for Tanaka, I have respect for the man. He's overseen many great games. He was a part of the team that created the first Final Fantasy. And Chrono Cross is certainly one of my all time favorites. However, he was sadly out-of-touch with the expectations present-day players have for new MMOs in terms of ease-of-use and completeness which is really what cost him in FFXIV's release.