Why do you like this game?

[TheMightyMollusk]

The story is the main thing for me. I used to play WoW, but Blizzard's horrible mismanagement of characters, blatant and often senseless retcons, and generally sloppy writing drove me away.

[PyurBlue]

Friends are the biggest reason, if they leave I'll probably leave too. Focusing on what the game itself offers, it's less grindy then some other games I've played and their is enough challenge in high level content to make it interesting.

my gripe with the entirety of the PvE in this game is that for the most part, once you've experienced it once, it's virtually the same thing on repeat without fail.
Boss mechanics work off patterns that go on repeat, so once you remember that there's not much challenge even in the hardest content (providing you can find a group to pre-made with that doesn't have the memory of a goldfish), there's no real reaction mechanics and stuff that really tests a players skill, not unless you count "remembering" as skill.

I feel the same way. I think content could be more engaging if it was built around being more dynamic, but that's not the path the devs want to take. The scripted fight nature does allow for competition though, so if you're into trying to beat your personal best or competing with other players you can look into that. There is also a little bit of unpredictability in running with random groups or trying classes you don't know very well. I've had fun running Alliance Raids and EX trials on classes I'm less proficient at. Even if I know the general flow of an encounter, I don't know exactly how an off class's rotation lines up so I end up having to improvise a bit.

[Reap00]

I have played/tried every mmo since Dark Age of Camelot. I think the combat in this game is great. I enjoy it. I am not sure what the issue is with the OP or where he will find better today when it comes to tab targeting. The story and lore in this game towers above every other mmo easily.

[linay]

It has a very good controller support on PC, in my opinion, and I've been spoiled by it (tried ConsolePort addon for WoW and it just seems too clunky, same with Tera even though it has built in support for controller, and ESO's support just frustrates me, though the latter two games are not tab targeting like WoW and FFXIV, so maybe why I don't like the controls as much).

The story is interesting and well structured (read: linear, for the most part), the soundtrack is beautiful, and the visuals are appealing, including character design (though, of course, improvements can and should be done and are always welcomed).

The jobs are aesthetically pleasing and rotationally structured (unlike SWTOR) and intuitive at a casual level with a near perfect amount of abilities, not too much for a controller (though getting there on some jobs for me) and not too little that it becomes like an action combat game, at least with PVE.

The battle designs are to the point for the most part and doesn't waste my time with meaningless fluff like avoidable ads and rooms in dungeons or adds that don't contribute to boss fights in trials and raids except for alliance raids, which makes sense there as those have dungeon style layout. (Obviously, talking more about newer designs.)

The grind exists, as it would in any good RPG, but still manageable, and most things have sensible unlock requirements (looking at you, pathfinder and allied race in WoW).

Gearing is simple and intuitive, again without meaningless fluff like traits and abilities that should belong to the job system rather than be restricted to the gear, only to be discarded along with the gear, or worse, negative effects, ugh.

The ability to not need multiple characters just to try a different job is refreshing.

Being able to queue for most duties for contents from various different expansions and various different types of duties (technically all duties, except for the community not making it possible) is way more than refreshing. It's gr-r-reat!

The various different daily roulettes that take advantage of the queueing abilities are fun for daily activities. Dailies and weeklies are fun in general, with manageable grinds.

Money isn't really an issue unless you want to craft or own a house or do high end raiding, and those people have the ability to gain more income to support their chosen playstyle. Most things in the game (not player-sold) have reasonable fixed costs.

Quests and quest objectives in the open world are, for the most part, reasonably placed without confusing direction to reach. I enjoy the instanced nature of the open world and the ability to increase the number of instances for each zone separately to accommodate the number of players in the zone as well as a deterministic method of choosing a zone instance and not have people appearing and disappearing on you.

That's all I have for now, though there may be more reasons why I like this game. It can be improved in many ways, but as it is, it's currently my favorite MMORPG when compared to the others that I've tried, though I still play other MMORPGs, mostly to experience different stories.

[Rufalus]

Story, the FF brand, armory system (all jobs on 1 character), cross hotbar controls for gamepads, reliability of the dev to produce X amount of content each year.

Just a genuine question, I want to understand what it is that keeps such a large number of people interested in this game, because while I'm currently playing it and "enjoying" it for what it is, for the most part for me it just feels like a very average MMO at best.

Imo it's the best one I've played. If FF XIV is an average MMO, which one is the king? A lot of them have even less complexity than this game, especially action style MMOs use a lot fewer buttons.

[MrKusakabe]

It matters to who to play as. If a RPG does not offer me a diminutive species, I am not playing it. Simple.
I could for example never play Duke Nukem because this guy is so awful. Only played (and really enjoyed) Borderlands 2 because of Maya. Did not touch Borderlands 3 because of Maya either.
In GW2, I really enjoyed the Asura, and I actually have twins over there, an Engineer and a Deadeye, but ArenaNet has some weird design philosophies, so I ditched them over FFXIV. Even though I like the mastery system: Permanent levelling is great, it feels like you are reallying developing. The item level system here is so garbage..

Being a Plainsfolk Lalafell was a no-brainer, but it was set in stone when I tasted the beauty of XIV's Red Mage. Since then, I log in every two or three days to play this beautiful and fun profession.

Something about this game makes it very enjoyable to me, almost calming. Don't ask me why.. But I'd also wish the game directors stalling the development would change a bit...

[Tsumdere]

I love this game. I've played a lot of MMOs and never thought that this one would be the one to capture my heart because I was always a "action combat or die" kind of MMO person.

- Classes are all visually unique and fun for the most part. Having all classes on one character is a huge sell to me.

- Graphics and general design are fantastic outside of some pretty weak textures in some areas.

- Story and music! There isn't a single other MMO that can hold a candle up to FFXIV in this department.

- Glam game so stronk. It's fun to go after shinies.

- No aggressive cash shop. As long as they keep all P2W stuff off of the MogStation, I couldn't give a single flip if they keep putting mounts and glams up there because what we have in game is better 99% of the time.

- No open world PvP/faction system. I hate these. I will not play a game with factions.

- Gated gearing. As much as people want to whine about it, I like the gated gearing a lot. It allows me to play at a gentle pace and not get burned out. With FFXIV, I can balance my work, social life, and other hobbies (i.e. other games/painting) without fear of being unable to keep up. I love it. Makes the game feel like something I do to feel good and not a second job.

- Crafting and gathering is fun. If I don't feel like battle content, I'll call up a friend and have a nice chat while the two of us gather for hours. It's simple (at least until starred crafts), relaxing, and rewarding.

All of this isn't to say that the game is perfect - it isn't. I would really like them to consider extreme dungeon like content and fix pain points like housing and ARR. But overall, the level of polish on FFXIV is amazing. When I look back at FFXIV, the forefront is good memories of how much I enjoy this game and my time within it, instead of frustrations with being shafted in the latest patch due to absolutely abysmal balancing or regret over missing a day of dailies because I wanted to play League instead.

[Scavish]

Cat girls and dragon girls.

And the lack of ugly orcs/trolls... I can't stand seeing them.

[Omymy]

also, I feel like a lot of ppl probs just play this one cuz most other MMOs suck. If MMOS were to rise again I doubt XIV would stand much of a chance in the market. It isnt bad but its onyl got its story, graphics and the title Final Fantasy goign for it if Im completely honest. Lore is good but WoW is way better. Combat is ok but most ppl prefer action. A good game but certainly not a spectacular one. (This is my opinion plz dont start a fight)

WoW's lore is better?, you didnt play BFA, dontcha.

[Alucard135]

Punting Lalafells.