Literally just finished ARR on a free trial account last night. Yes it is slow to start, but it is a great game. The story towards the end of ARR really sucked me in, and I am having a great time. For the exactly $0 I have spent, it's been a fantastic experience.

With MMO's though you should note that there is A LOT to learn. I have really just been taking it slow, and I have a friend who plays that has been helping me understand everything better.

I also play WoW, and they are quite different. WoW has smoother combat, but relies heavily on FOMO to keep you engaged. FFXIV is slower and more relaxed, which is something I really like.