Fighting Desperately...

[Haydest]

Well, going back to the OP's original topic:

If you intend to go back to FFXI re-live those "hardcore" days then you are going to get slapped with a huge of dose of post-2012 reality. Sure, you still have the rather restrictive PS2-port UI to deal with, so you won't get your flashy combo lights or "click here" prompts as you eloquently put. However, you are certainly not going to spending 3-4 months to get to level 99 unless you plan to play solo and in the most tedious way possible (meaning: no Grounds of Valor/Fields of Valor pages).

You think partying/power leveling is in bad in XIV? Squeezing your way into an Abyssea group post 30 will likely net you the 99 cap (presuming you have the cap quests done) in less than 5 sessions (1 or 2 if you have a good group that lasts the entire day). If that's not option, people typically level--ahem, "leech" in alliances nowadays at Gusgen Mines, Crawler's Nest, Garlaige Citadel, Bostineaux Obliquette, and so forth. Seriously, before I quit FFXI (again) there were people in C Nest--at the appropriate level of 40+ wearing...crap, level 1 gear and extra accessory pieces.

So no--if you return today, you are not going to feel FFXI from circa-2004.

[Enfarious]

Well, going back to the OP's original topic:

If you intend to go back to FFXI re-live those "hardcore" days then you are going to get slapped with a huge of dose of post-2012 reality. Sure, you still have the rather restrictive PS2-port UI to deal with, so you won't get your flashy combo lights or "click here" prompts as you eloquently put. However, you are certainly not going to spending 3-4 months to get to level 99 unless you plan to play solo and in the most tedious way possible (meaning: no Grounds of Valor/Fields of Valor pages).

You think partying/power leveling is in bad in XIV? Squeezing your way into an Abyssea group post 30 will likely net you the 99 cap (presuming you have the cap quests done) in less than 5 sessions (1 or 2 if you have a good group that lasts the entire day). If that's not option, people typically level--ahem, "leech" in alliances nowadays at Gusgen Mines, Crawler's Nest, Garlaige Citadel, Bostineaux Obliquette, and so forth. Seriously, before I quit FFXI (again) there were people in C Nest--at the appropriate level of 40+ wearing...crap, level 1 gear and extra accessory pieces.

So no--if you return today, you are not going to feel FFXI from circa-2004.

You left out the people that for what ever reason haven't got abyssea access and are @80 in a levelsync in CN w/ 40's, again wearing "Lizard Gear" w/ a bronze dagger ...