i believe you just described nearly every single persons experience in FFXI. My time was simlilar.. granted i still havent been able to beat Maat... much to my frustration... alot.

i expect this game to be different. it has its own merits.. but i do agree FFXI was a better game over all. i still compair every MMO to FFXI.

I expect new and different.. however i am suprised they did not use some of the systems in FFXI that i would have expected.... such as the NM's the quest lines. the main job and sub job... things like that.