Interested in the game? Don't let the launch jade you.

Now before anyone attempts to burn me at the stake, yes, I was right there along side everyone else at launch and suffered through what was the worst "AAA" launch in probably MMO history.  I didn't last a month for a game that I had been excited for years ahead of time.  Naturally, I was very skeptical when my friend mentioned he was checking it out again ahead of the re-release of the game (Version 2.0, rehauling everything).

It's been about a week now and I've barely been able to put it down.  The game has since become what it should have been at release; stable and cohesive.  It's not "great" by most standards, but it's certainly on the higher end of good.  That being said, with what they've already added and changed, with the release of 2.0 I fully expect it to achieve that "great" level, without a doubt.

The monster spawns make sense and are properly tiered and have entire camps now, not just random spawns.  The lag is all but gone with the UI and there is a much more cohesive menu/overlay (although it's still Final Fantasy style, but this is another aspect they're improving upon in 2.0).  The combat is fluid and much more responsive and the class/advanced job system gives more depth to what was shallow at launch.  Leveling isn't a chore and they've since taken the standard experience route, no more "hit for random experience" amounts.  You kill something equal level?  You get 200 experience.  I've had no issues making money; guild leves provide a lot of gil and free gear as well as selling a fair amount of materials and items on my bazaar via the auction house (it's really just a bazaar search but it's so nice compared to having nothing from before).

That's just an example of what has changed, I'm pleasantly surprised and the list of improvements and changes for the full release of 2.0 is astounding.  Something that piqued my interest was the mention of Summoner and a take on Beast Master being added down the line along with more advanced jobs.

If anyone else was skeptical like I was, and believe me I looked at my $90 collector's edition after the release and wanted to perform a ritualist fire sacrifice, I'd suggest checking it out again.  The game is only $10 subscription during the lead up to 2.0 and the servers are surprisingly packed.

Edit: Here is a link to everything from the development path to the changes coming for 2.0.  Just click on the links at the bottom to view them in PDF form.

http://lodestone.finalfantasyxiv.com/pl/teaser/