FFXIV vs GW2

[Skivvy]

GW2 has the following:

Mounts: These things are used not just for a simple "Get from Point A to Point B faster", but they're also used for platforming. A mount that can jump super high up to scale cliffs, a mount that hovers over water and dangerous environments, a mount that lets you teleport through sand portals, a mount that glides (that can be used for insane flying tricks if you master it), a mount that actually flies (short spurts, has an endurance thing for how long that lasts).

Gear: It's all horizontal, with each gear having different substats you switch between. Example, one type has Power/Toughness/Vitality (basically damage/defense/HP), another can have Healing/Condition/Vitality (healing/DoTs/HP). Once you unlock Exotic gear (orange), the only thing higher are ascended pieces (pink) and legendary (purple, same stats as pink, just unique cosmetics that you can change stats whenever). Due to this, gearing out is rather easy and the only gear changes you go for are cosmetic or are because you want to try a different build.

Classes: All of them are absolutely unique, and the elite specializations alter the classes further, making for some very interesting variations of the base class.

Races: The only 2 weak links here are Humans, and Norn (giant humans that transform into beasts). Outside of those 2, most if not all of the races in this game are completely unique. Sylvari are sentient plant people that as a race are only 20 years old when the game starts. Asura are basically goblins with super high tech magical devices and golems. Charr are the former villainous faction from GW1 who are essentially demon cats in the middle of their industrial steamtech revolution with tanks, helicopters, guns, etc. Those are just the playable races too. You have Skritt, which are rats that get smarter as more of them gather. Tengu, which are sentient bird people. Kodan, who are bear people, etc etc. There are a lot of unique races in this game.

Regions: A ton of explorable zones with hidden locations, across a large amount of biomes. Swamps, plains, ocean (you can swim and explore underwater), desert, jungles, postapocalyptic wastelands, snowy mountains and frozen lakes, etc etc.

Free Trial: Has some restrictions, but you get the base classes and a TON of content to do without paying a dime. I'd say it's comparable somewhat with FFXIV's free trial.

You explained this far better than I was attempting to do.

One thing that should be pointed out if story is a big thing to you, on top of the expansions, there are also "Living Story" chapters that really fill in a lot of the story, but the older LS chapters are NOT automatically included - even if you buy base game + the xpacs. I believe there are package deals now and then for all xpacs + living stories (check Steam also), but otherwise you will need to buy the older chapters from the cash shop. If you log into the game when a new chapter is released, you WILL get that for free.

About the cash shop, you can buy gems with money OR in-game gold with the exchange option. Handy for those who prefer to save some money and just grind away in-game for things.

Are all the races playable?

They are. And you can play any job on any race.