OP, not sure if you have played other free trials in other games, but the entire point is to make so you want the improved experience of purchase. FFxiv is fairly benign, and most of its restrictions are meant to combat RMT

I have seen where you get notified from every quest what you COULD have received in terms of experience, money or items. limited quest availability in others. constant pressure to buy buy buy...

overall, FFxiv is pretty easy with their trial. you can talk, just in say, cant send tells. someone that you know needs to subbed to form groups. perfect? nope, not at all, but can thank the RMT people usually for restrictions on free trials...
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