I played XI for a number of years, and when I look back at it, I tend to think of it as the golden age of my online gaming life. My friends, the two LS I was in, the zones, the music, the whole game. When I was actually playing the game, day-to-day life was very ordinary. Sure, there was the occasional outstanding moment, like killing a particular HNM for the first time, or helping a friend through a particularly difficult fight.

My feelings about that game changed drastically as time passed. When I started playing XIV, I felt that it paled in comparison. I stopped and thought - maybe it's because I'm in the middle of my XIV experience, and perhaps my feeling about this game will be very different ten years from now.

Many years from now, I may feel that both games were equally incredible - but I try to not think about it. It may be that the OP is looking for something that cannot exist, but that's not for me to say.