I agree with most of HumblePie's views, though after last night I've decided to try the game out at launch. I've about decided I'm really not getting much graphics slowdown at all. After changing my graphics settings back and forth a few times, adjusting the resolution to several different (reasonable) values, trying windowed and full screen...I've noticed a negligible difference. However, last night there was SIGNIFICANTLY less server lag (no change in my network latency), and the game was actually starting to be enjoyable to play. Maybe it was just the areas I was exploring (away from the mass mob grinding and crafting), but my menus were significantly more responsive (though still needing an upgrade), and my camera didn't jump around when I tried to shift views quickly...hell, even the usually horribly slow non-hardware mouse cursor was almost usable--I swear to God! So, after taking away much of the server lag issue, I was able to get stuff done and have fun.
The 'mystique' of the game world is one of the reasons I'm really intrigued, but I also feel they've taken that aspect too far. Certain basic game mechanics just need to be explained in-game, and they offer almost none of this. Maybe they'll have a good user manual, but I seriously doubt that. As a new player just hopping into the game and trying to have fun...it's not going to happen unless you read some (or a lot of) user-created guides on the internet. However, people have already started to compile a lot of info to help you get started--I found a lot of good threads/links at the FFXIV Origins forums. Comparing this game to its predecessor: upon FFXI's US launch, the game had already been out in Japan for nearly 1.5 years, and there was already a lot of info compiled. I remember constantly going to FFXI sites to find info about most aspects of the game...because you couldn't find it in-game without badgering people in chat and getting lucky. Currently, the only people who know diddley about FFXIV are those who have played pre-release versions of the game. Frankly, I'm amazed at how much info is available considering people have had to take the time to figure things out in-game and write guides/etc. for them. Square should definitely do better in this aspect--considering the initial complexity of the game--however players will make up for this mistake given a little time.
To list my biggest gripes: (1) targetting issues (2) menu responsiveness (3) having to re-equip all your skills/etc every time you change class (4) no auction house??? as if gold sellers aren't going to work around this and just charge more per gil cause it takes more work to acquire (5) chat capability needs some work
That's not everything, but I've run out of steam and this post is getting too long. I haven't listed the biggest pros, but like most people I'm better at griping . I do LOVE the ability to switch classes at a whim--so sue me--and use cross class skills that I've aquired.