All I am doing is stating my opinion so if you disagree don't flame me and such.
Personally I love this game. I love the graphics, I love the sound, I love the gameplay. It's not like the other Final Fantasy games with a huge story and plot-line. It is one of the best MMORPGs out there. It lacks on the diversity with 5 different races and very few customation options. I give Final Fantasy XI a 10/10. With all that said here are the reasons I base my rating on.
Graphics: 9/10
These graphics are very good. They must have worked on them a while. Everywhere you go there is some beautiful backround waithing for you. There is some lagging here and there, but not much.
Sound: 10/10
The sound is great. It's original and the differant places have differant music. I.E.)The desert will have very different sound than the towns.
They even added the leveling up sound we all know and love.
Gameplay: 9/10
The gameplay will keep you on for hours at a time. There are missions to do along with side-quests to fulfill. Leveling up can be tedious at times especially without the right party, but eventually you will do it.
Those were the reasons that seemed most important to me and what I based my reveiw.
Final Fantasy XI has great graphics, even better sound, and addictive gameplay. I recomend this game to anyone who likes MMORPGs.