Played FFXI for years, and I'll agree w/Gank that the game had some oomph that XIV does not in the pain of death category, and I missed that at first too. That said, I think it would have been an absolute shame if they had created a clone of XI - change is a good thing! People who start an MMO eventually quit because it gets old, and to re-wrap XI in some prettier graphics wouldn't have made it a new game. If you're constantly comparing the two as you try to play, you're missing out on all that was built into this relatively unique game + the coolness they've introduced over the past year.

As gamers, I think we like to torture ourselves by embracing new challenges and defying the sometimes ridiculous learning curves. There's a point at which it helps to pause and remind yourself it's a game and the purpose is to have fun! Well, that's my purpose

$0.02