I could laud my experience with MMOs, but it won’t matter. Let me be straight. This game is primarily about three things.

1) Look good. You will want to, and the game will encourage it. You probably did it with your last MMO. Your guild will probably hold glamour contests. Embrace it. Shallow? Yes. Do you enjoy it? Maybe, but also probably yes. Be that Barbie you always want to dress up as and be the He-Man you never could.

2) This game is about big battles. There has always been a strain in Japanese-originated games about big battles. Dodging the yellow circle or ray of death will be your life. Be not only cognizant of it, but learn it. Watch videos of the dungeons and trials and raids. Will it save your life? No, not immediately, but perhaps eventually. As you do it more, you will die less and become less of a nuisance to your party.

3) Third, you will most likely be grouped with people that have been playing this game far longer than you have. It is a friendly community, and they are really nice, but you’ll notice they know where to stand to not die. This game has been around for a long time. Some people are die hard and will fall on this FFXIV sword on that hill for this game. Accept it. Don’t cast blame for it, it is a good game, particularly if you follow points 1 and 2.

Summary: Like to look good? Like to know how a dungeon works before you even do it? Then stick with FFXIV, it’s actually a pretty good MMO.

But, at the end of the day, not the game for me. Please refrain from the comments on the door kicking me on the way out.

/honest