Is FFXIV: A Realm Reborn a Dark Horse?

The launch and subsequent crash-and-burn of Final Fantasy XIV really epitomized the typical, and far too frequent, “flash in the pan” MMO launch. I can’t speak for anyone else, but following the game here and there pre-launch, it wasn’t too hard to see this eventuality coming. The game just looked to be doing all the wrong things and it was clunky as all hell to boot.