@ Keftenk,
There are a couple of recent bug reports on these forums about the same issues, so it's still going around. There was a great tip about changing settings (not lowering them all, as such, but raising MSAA). I might check it out next week when I feel like I can spare the time/energy. I'm replaying FF9 though at the moment too, so I still have some FF to keep me going.

@ Abriael,
I was talking about Gridania, where I came across only five other players. The desert camps might be busier, and great for you all out there, but Gridian was a wasteland of players and even though some of the other posters have replied with better start zones, if there's almost no one in one area and the game can't suggest it, why should I restart again so soon, or bust a gut trying to get past wolves that can kill me in a single attack to travel there on foot?

As I said, if you're enjoying the game, then great! My OP was from the point of view of someone coming back to the game after a few months out, trying to let SE raise the bar on what they've got. Your replies have all been great, but it doesn't seem like there's been much improvement to the game since I was last there.