When I was much younger, FFXI Online came out and I eagerly bought it. I basically made a deal with my parents to put the majority of my allowance into the subscription, and I had one hell of a time with it. However, once the free 30 days were up, it didn't register the credit card, so my parents got suspicious, and FFXI went in the trash.
It's 2009 now, and I'm thinking about getting back into it, since you can get the game plus all four expansions for $19.99. Do you think it's even possible to play through it now that most people playing it have been at it for five years and are far ahead of me, or should I try a new MMO? Warcraft doesn't do much for me, and Guild Wars is okay. Is City of Heroes any good? I really want to play a good MMO that a newb can get into easily, without it being WoW.

I don't play MMORPGs on principle. I refuse to pay monthly to play games online. Also, I don't get into that whole teamwork thing. I played the WoW trial a while ago and all I did was go slay boars and collect things. It was quite relaxing to play when you're too drunk to have the reflexes nailing those headshots in a fragfest. But it doesn't justify the monthly subscription fee if that's all I'm going to do.
If the combat system in FFXI is anything like the one in FFXII, it sounds fun, especially without all the drawn out exposition and plot in a typical FF game.

The game was pretty fun, but it took FOREVER to go anywhere or do anything. I remember it took me an hour to get to this one city.

I loved the game too, and frequently consider going back to it, but ultimately I decide it's not worth my time, because I hate playing with other people.

If I have arrange play sessions to group up with other people to play, it sounds suspiciously like work. I just like to go in whenever and start slaying beasts. I hear The Witcher is MMORPG-esque but offline. I might have to try it out.

Maybe Guild Wars would be good for you, too. No monthly fees, and most people say it's much easier to solo in it than most other MMOs.
I think I may give the City of Heroes/Villans trial a spin...

I have it, it's too boring.

I LOVE Guild Wars. I can't wait until GW2 (which will be like... never?), but I've heard some good things about FFXI. I hear it's cross-platform, which is nice. Might try it out one day, but not now.

Yep, just tried it and have to agree with you. Champions Online looks really promising, though.
It's an amazing game, to be sure. The only problem is it's even more of a timesink than any of the others out there. It takes an eternity to do anything. You see all these people with badass equipment, riding chocobos into the wind, and think to yourself, "I want all that!", then realize that do get all that you need to spend months of dedicated time to even get close to there.

They got suspicious? What, did they think the entire game was one big scam for there moneez?

Those are some perceptive parents...

Reviving old thread! Woooo!
I just bought the Ultimate Collection, sooooo~
Are there any GOGgers in Vana'diel? I'm on CaitSith as Alexiusyindor. (Tarutaru Black Mage :D)
Joined a linkshell (GreatBigSea), did the beginner quest. It's fun to play in a party, but it's boring to solo. :/
I'm still slightly skeptical about the whole MMO thing, but... but... I'm a black mage, and it feels so good! :D

If you're interested in FFXI, you might as well wait for FFXIV. It's also going to be an MMORPG, and you can jump in right at the beginning when everyone else is low-level and exploring the game for the first time. Plus, it sounds more interesting than XI.

Well, why not jump into XI and get acquainted with it as preparation? There's still a healthy number of players. Besides, who knows if I'll even be able to play XIV.

it's super punishing - you die and you can level down.