What fills the void in levelling is Abyssea.

As a new player its quite a journey to obtain boss wins, abyssites, atmas, empyrean +1 seals, empyrean +2 items, empyrean weapon drops. Most people who have been playing regularly these last two years probably have forgotten all that went into getting all that stuff, but for a new player its going to take some time unless you have good friends that will leech you around.