All games have a render limit. Even the most recent ones (granted further than FFXI - but their 'areas' are either infinite, or a lot larger than FFXI). If you can see an entire zone from one position - it takes out the sense of exploration/space.

That's the problem. FFXI's zones are tiny in comparison, seeing the entire zone does nothing for the game experience.

Just my opinion, they could always expand the render, doesn't mean people have to use it. I'd be one that doesn't.