@Ferno: The engine looks better, but it's also 10 years newer. Personally, I'd like to see XI updated to XII's engine.
The armour however, could use some work, it's not very stylish and has little life and character to it unlike XI has in some of it's sets. And of course, far less selection then XI's.
XIV is beautiful in some ways, I just wish it was in the rest. (I don't mean graphically)
@ Katharyn I have to agree. whoever is designing XIVs armour needs to stop. It is just appalling. Apart from a couple mid level sets most of it looks disgusting. The i70 darklight gear is just so out of place it looks like something from Star Wars. Allagan is all muted gold and bronzes it just looks blerg.
In fact the only decent armour in that game is the AF gear, which is designed from people from 3 5 and 11 and the FF3 inspired CT armour with all its swirls and lines.
Hope whoever is in charge fires the designers and gets new ones! I miss XI armour :(