Game Informer deems Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, best Final Fantasy experience of this generation.

http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/01/07/game-informer-best-of-2013-awards.aspx?PostPageIndex=4

Best MMO: Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn

Given its disastrous launch, it would be easy to dismiss Square's Final Fantasy XIV reboot altogether. But for some Game Informer editors, A Realm Reborn is the best Final Fantasy experience of this generation, period. The improved structure, addictive job system, more compelling content, and several nods to the series history not only redeem FFXIV, but make it the best MMO of the year.

Well deserved in my opinion. FFXIII, and FFXIII-2 makes me sad..

No, I disagree strongly. The best FF experience will be Lightning Returns. And this is coming from someone who has a lvl 50 Monk (+1 relic), Paladin (relic) and a lvl 50 Warrior. I like FF14, but it has been very disappointing as an online FF game. FF11 was a much more memorable experience. A Realm Reborn doesn't have Notorious Monsters to hunt, so it leaves the end game to just spamming duty finder all day. Believe me, I have a laundry list of complaints I can make about this game. Don't even get me started on the end game gear; it's boring, doesn't add any utility to classes, and as a result, makes the gameplay a bit shallow and unsatisfying. That said, I will be upgrading to PS4 and playing this game again when it releases there. I like it, but definitely NOT the best FF experience this generation. FF13 gets so much undeserved hate that I believe it to be nothing more than fashionable to trash the game. Because of that, people will probably miss out on Lightning Returns -- and that's sad.

FF11 been around for like 10 years, so of course you're going to remember it because it has 10 years worth of content. With that said, FF11 and FF14 are two different games that has some similarities. Notorious Monsters are in FF14 in the form of FATE, and FATE can be more dynamic which can require objectives to complete for all participants. Its not closed off like FF11 claim wars, so it promotes more cooperative play, and eliminates camping idly for long periods.

You don't have to spam duty finder. There is many other contents you can do, and I can make a list of that too. But lets get back to the topic at hand. FF14:ARR has been out for nearly 4 months as of now, and it recently released a giant patch adding many additions and contents. It has more content than FF11 before its first expansion already, and every 3 months there will be more additions, and the main story will continue.

This is my opinion, and just like the opinion of others. I'm having more fun in FF14:ARR. The story is just epic.

I cannot comment on Lightning Returns because its not out yet in NA.

You're talking to a guy who's played the game probably more hardcore than everyone posting here. The argument you make for Fates is disgusting to me. This illustrates what is wrong with so many gamers today. Are you honestly telling me this with a straight face? FATEs can be joined by tons of people and become spamfests -- not challenging AT ALL. Notorious Monsters took planning, patience and bad players stood no chance to take many of them down. I can't tell you how satisfying it was to kill Voluptuous Vivian in FF11 with MNK, BRD, and COR at lvl 75. Before fighting it, I watched the ideal party of NIN,RDM,BRD wipe to her. THAT's what is not present in FF14 because the skill ceilings are low and NMs have been reduced to free-for-all spam fests that everyone and their mom can do. Nevermind that none of them pose any challenge solo, either. You can kill nearly all of them solo with just a chocobo pet to heal you. FATES are for leveling. And my problem with Duty Finder is that you sit in one place, and then when it pops, are forced to do the same thing several times over to get free, boring gear that adds nothing to the gameplay. What's more, they just removed dungeons altogether. Nothing is more disheartening to see a castle from 100 feet away and think "I can't wait to see what's in there!" only to see a blue portal pop up and it simply becomes a duty finder mission with shallow rewards.

The story, really? And I'll hazard a guess and say you don't like FF13's story, huh? I didn't even pay attention to the story in 14; that's not why I play online games like this. Naturally, I skipped every cutscene -- but what I saw wasn't very good, anyway. Some of the characters had absolutely horrible voice acting, and the meshing together of several different FF themes does not play out well here, either. Fun game, but it's got a lot of problems. I wish more people would acknowledge them and encourage the directors to push the game in another direction for people looking for a more satisfying end game.

No, I disagree strongly. The best FF experience will be Lightning Returns. And this is coming from someone who has a lvl 50 Monk (+1 relic), Paladin (relic) and a lvl 50 Warrior. I like FF14, but it has been very disappointing as an online FF game. FF11 was a much more memorable experience. A Realm Reborn doesn't have Notorious Monsters to hunt, so it leaves the end game to just spamming duty finder all day. Believe me, I have a laundry list of complaints I can make about this game. Don't even get me started on the end game gear; it's boring, doesn't add any utility to classes, and as a result, makes the gameplay a bit shallow and unsatisfying. That said, I will be upgrading to PS4 and playing this game again when it releases there. I like it, but definitely NOT the best FF experience this generation. FF13 gets so much undeserved hate that I believe it to be nothing more than fashionable to trash the game. Because of that, people will probably miss out on Lightning Returns -- and that's sad.