This review is more opinion based; when it comes to MMORPGs, many diverse and varying opinions coincide...
[Warning: Spoilers abound]
Final Fantasy XI starts you off as a new adventurer who's looking to make a name for him/her-self in Vana'diel. You start off in one of the three major cities; Sand'Oria, Bastok, and Windurst - that is your choice to make. Each region has it's pros and cons - Norvallen region associated to Sand'Oria is best for Carpenters; Zulkheim region associated with Bastok is known for it's mines - Blacksmiths and Goldsmiths benefit most from such areas; and last, the Sarutabaruta region around Windurst is best suited for harvesters who are into Clothescrafting, Leathercrafting and Alchemy. First and foremost, money is an issue from the very beginning in this game and joining one of the guilds can be very beneficial and profitable in the long run.
Making the correct choice for your character is very important to have success in Vana'diel. The market is very harsh but if you manage your money, and income-making methods in a good manner, you will benefit quite a bit in the ever-so inflating market in Vana'diel. I figured I'd mention the market first because it's one of the biggest parts of any MMORPG, and I don't think people should let it discourage them (especially early on) in this game and should try and fight through it.
Other than the inflating market that plagues every server on Square Enix's FFXI, nothing really detracts from it's appeal in any way. Some players find it difficult to get started in the game, but If you grit your teeth and manage to reach level 10, the game gets a little more interesting as you are then introduced to a party format for all your leveling up from this point on [I stress that you know: this game isn't meant to be played solo, after level 10 you are forced to party with a group of up to 6 people to manage your character]. For solo fans, don't let this bother you, try something new for a change because I think it'll ammuse many of you when your introduced to a party type system instead of the typical one man team style.
This game is a community based RPG, meaning you will have to communicate and work with other people in order to get things done, and it does a very good job at making this happen. But, as a fair warning to all people thinking of buying this game, you will have times when you might have to wait a few hours before getting a party invite - but remember, leveling up isn't the only thing you could be doing in this game, so instead of sitting around for what seems like eternity, maybe try your hand on some quests while having the [seek party] flag up, and when you get and invite, it won't seem like it took such a long time after all.
FFXI isn't a game anyone can get into with ease, but it's a very rewarding RPG and very fun to play once you get into the higher levels. You might want to round up a few friends to play with you for it only make the experience than much better. Now, moving onto the points: I still stand by the score I gave this game a couple years back, because I think a game that manages to still be as engaging many years after it's release deserves full recognition, and Final Fantasy does just that. With World of Warcraft and Guild Wars on the market, FFXI still manages to be the best in providing content and keeping the game fresh, it has the least server problems (as everyone would expect as a paying customer) than other online games (I'm saying this through experience), the game manages to provide a vast variety of in game events to keep the players engaged - ranging from a PVP mini-game, to dungeon raiding alliances (big parties consisting of up to 16 players), and much much more (too much for me to list) - so don't expect to be bored in the world of Vana'diel.
Let me break it down for you.
The Graphics in the game as very good by today's standards: I mean, no other online game matches the visual supremacy this game has (for online games, it's different when rating graphics, so you have to be a little more forgiving - but this game is pleasing to the eye, much more than other online games out at this time). I gave the graphics a 10 and I stand by my choice.
The Gameplay is very well constructed - A party of 6 characters of which you control one (your own obviously) in which strategical elements are needed to win fights and gain experience points in order to advance in levels. Strategy such as party design (what classes your party consists of - always good to have a Whitemage hehehe), level difference (a level difference of about 2 is typical, any higher and you'll see a noticable loss in experience points gained from each fight), weapon skills and skill chains (by melee) used along with magic bursts (by mages) all come together to either make your party better or worse. Sometimes you will get a bad party, but not necessarily because the people you're with are bad at doing their job, but rather because of party set-up and such. On the whole, the party set-up is very fun and challenging and when you gain a level it is very rewarding and deserving of it's own party (the kind you have boose in hehe). I also stand by my gameplay score of 10, for an RPG it does a very good job at putting all the gameplay elements together and making them happen.
Music by Square Enix never seizes to ammuse, along with their great sound FX, makes for an ear-full of an experience - some areas have a great musical score (Sanctuary of Zit'ah to be precise) they almost make tears come to your eyes. Sound, simply put, is amazing - a 10 is a must.
It's a natural that replay value is a 10 in any MMORPG game, and if it's not then that game is doing something wrong. FFXI doesn't give way to any let downs on the replay (or "play") value, it also scores a perfect 10 out of 10 from me.
Last but not least, my lasting impressions: well, from the minute you set foot in Vana'diel, to the minute you set foot in Vana'diel, to the minute you set foot in Vana'diel - you'll never know when and how to quit, because it's an experience you'll want to experience over and over and over every day for the rest of your life - but trust me, as ammusing, as diverse, as vast, as intense, as immersive as this game is, take some time off every once in a while (as hard as it might be) and enjoy the weather (In the real world!).