...with an ever-growing urge to just return to FFXI, get a much-needed nostalgia fix, and play all the jobs I used to love from Lv1 solo. This, just before I log out of MMORPG's for the last time. /melodrama.

There was a poll held a few months ago, and it revolved around the question, "What do you enjoy about FFXIV?" At the time, and unfortunately it remains the same, I had only one response: I like the graphics. Indeed, they are good and still amaze me.

Still, graphics do not hardly make a game. FFXIV, to me, just keeps becoming more restrictive, blurred, and just down-right not fun. I actually think I had more fun with the battle system as it was near release than the way it stands today. SE has gone overboard with Easy Mode in the form of Combos - with bright flashing circles that scream, "Click me to not suck"!! And I have every reason to believe it's just going to get worse.

I don't want what FFXIV is now and what is apparently going to grow up to be: Beyond Casual - A slacker's game made for slackers. It's really heartbreaking to think of all this game could have been, but I suppose it just makes better sense to milk the cow and market the milk.

No offense to any females out there, because I know you're all tough as nails, but I feel like FFXI was a 'man's game' - where you liked getting your hands dirty, and you came back from every adventure to Sand'Oria dripping with sweat and covered in blood. Effort: It builds the strongest character. Pun intended.

I wish some empathetic developer who was a true fan of FFXI would bring it back to us in some form. I don't need the brand to enjoy the game, by any means. I need mystery, intrigue, challenge, depth and adventure to fill a void that was left by some of my most fond and fantastic memories in gaming.

World of Warcraft, may you rot and burn in Hell.