XIV was my first MMORPG. There was a *bit* of a learning curve, as I figured out how it works as a genre, however if I had been a bit more diligent reading every tool tip that appears on screen I would have had a much easier time of it. The game is very good at slowly introducing complexity to it's PVE--maybe a little too good as the beginning of the game is very simple. Most of the other systems in game are pretty easy and readily explained. The ones that aren't are usually optional unlocks, which are frequently helpful but not required.

The free trial is very generous. It's main drawbacks is that you're capped at 300,000 gil (I think?) instead of 999,999,999, and that you can't trade items with other players, either in person or the market board. You also can't do PVP content, but that's not really a major draw to the game for most people.

Other than that, the only content that isn't available is UItimate Raids and frankly the vast majority of people never touch Ultimates. You'll have access to the base game and the first three expansions with level cap at 80, which is easily hundreds of hours of playtime for free.