When I first heard about a MMO FFXI a couple of years ago, I thought it would suck as. When it was finally released in NA in October of 2003, I bought it.
There is so much shit man. But, I have never played another MMO so I don't know how World of Crackcraft or Everqueer is and don't intend to ever find out. FFXI has the best graphics of any MMO and in my personal opinion, based off of what I've seen and heard, has the best system. The areas and the mobs are fucking killer and the fact that Square-Enix updates the game alot makes it more enjoyable. FFXI is on it's third expansion next month. Throughout time between expansions, SE releases patches of fixes (of course) but also new areas and such. It's quite hard to explain the game without a direct question or for you to actually play it.
The problem some people have is the fact that it is a little slow moving at first. Like any MMO, you have to progress in level. They higher level you get, the more you learn and experience. FFXI's level cap as of now is level 75. Truely, the game doesn't start until you hit level 75. Once you obtain this level, it's a whole new fucking world.
I#ve never really like any Final Fantasy games, japanese rpgs dont do it for me. Warcraft's been getting constant updates too and they've not even realised a full expansion pack yet, I guess I guess I like the whole PVP aspect of Warcraft, you stick on Hammerfall and head into Warsong Gulch and it's fucking cool as hell