What about pvp? pve?
It is 99% PVE… though there is a area set aside for PVP only. Haven’t tried that yet, so can’t comment.
As for PvE and PvP, it’s primarily a PvE focused game, although there are two PvP events currently available – the Wolves’ Den which is a 8×8 arena fight, and Frontlines, which is a massive 18x18x18 three team battlefield based around Grand Company allegiance. I haven’t done either of them as PvP doesn’t really interest me – either way, there is no open world PvP in FFXIV, PvP is separately handled from the main game and only takes place in a specially designated instance, so no one on one duels thank Azeyma.
Really though Nostalgia, the best way to find out if you like the game or not is to give it a try yourself! There’s a free trial version available that allows you to play for 14 days free of charge which is definitely enough to get a good taste of the game – it can be found here for download (http://www.ffxiv-freetrial.com/en/) (for PC only).