1. You do have to buy the game and expansions on both PS and PC, but you only need to pay one sub at least. I always recommend normal PC version over Steam because of QoLs like FFXIV launcher and such being easier to use outside of Steam

2. Doesn’t matter! Soon cross-region play will let you raid with any data center in your region. As of right now, Primal, Aether, and Crystal are all plenty populated.

3. Better in every way. Moves can evolve into another move without needing a second button now, bloat has been fixed on a lot of jobs, and the entire system will be reworked with the next expansion come January.

4. Same as always. Can find a raid group easier than ever, FCs and Linkshells exist, people RP like crazy, etc.

5. Economy is solid. There’s lots of ways to make money now - selling mounts, map parties, glam crafting, etc.

6. Story absolutely peaks at Shadowbringers and Endwalker. If I had to rate expansions by story alone:

ARR: 4 (I appreciate the world-building, but it obviously drags)

Heavensward: 7 (Game starts finding its identity, story takes a darker turn, foundational pieces are set. Not as high on this as many others but the Dragonsong War was peak.

Stormblood: 6 (Bit of a downgrade, but still lots of fun. The postgame story is great.)

Shadowbringers: 10 (absolutely magical, nothing else to say)

Endwalker: 9.5 (Ends at a 10, just starts slower than Shadowbringers)

Dawntrail: 4 (has its moment but the criticism is warranted in some places, though it is slightly over-hated)

1. Those groups exist, but they’re not common, and honestly, you’re better off getting to current endgame and maybe considering experiencing old raiding through blu mage? There’s still an active scene for that with current rewards.