I had a chance to play PSU on the closed american beta, and I wasn't impressed. The combat system, while "enhanced" still feels terribly canned and inflexible. The game is still little more than a sci-fi Diablo clone, and i'll be suprised if it holds the attention of even its most devout fans for more than a few weeks. I had a profound sense of nostalgia, but from an objective point of view I was bored senseless within an hour. The interface is still as clunky as ever and the servers suck, and sounds like retail release didn't help any.
I'm sure the game will be a modest distraction from those of us who have moved onto other more developed MMORPGs, but I doubt it'll make converts of any of us. The game still feels terribly claustrophobic, and that opening song makes me want to drown kittens.
i disagree and so far i think the story mode is excellent id be willing to bet you didnt even level a skill to at least 11. so far psu shattered my expectations to the point where i may actually quit ffxi.
edit: just wanted to say magashi is deliciously evil in a darth vader sort of way.