Final Fantasy XIV is a notable entry to the genre but only for what it lacks. It lacks character; bare-bones quests and audiovisual repetition fail to instill a sense of fantasy wonder. It lacks cohesion; communication failures, economic oddities, and stringent limitations leave you constantly directionless. And it lacks joy; the abysmal interface and boring monsters make it a struggle to stay invested. The open-ended classes, the stunning graphics engine, the focus on story--these elements deserve rightful praise. It's a shame they weren't put to use in a game worthy of the Final Fantasy brand. Certainly, Final Fantasy XIV will improve as features are added, yet the failures go beyond the superficial. Updates may address a multitude of flaws, but "fun" is not a feature that can be added with a simple patch.

THE GOOD
- Impressive visual engine
- Flexible class system lets you be what you want, when you want.

THE BAD
- Absolutely miserable interface
- Does a poor job of communicating important information
- Limited questing means you're always looking for something fun to do
- Everything about the economy stinks
- Every aspect of the game is filled with dumb obstacles.