Originally Posted by
Catwho
As someone who completed a relic in XI, I can assure you that the storyline alongside them was... brief. You paid currency to a Goblin. That's it. Just an asshole goblin, who took your coins and gave you an upgraded weapon. Then later on you did the same with Moogles. Just... moogles. They gave you tasks, and you got them stuff, and killed a bunch of things, and that was it.
The cutscene when you finally unlocked the last stage of the 75 weapon was notable only in that you probably had your entire linkshell with you cheering you on and it was a party. But the actual cutscene was under a minute.
Now, the mythics and the Empyreans were a bit more developed. I think mythic had the best system, but it was still a grind to end all grinds, holy heck.
I like XIV's weapon systems. The story and cutscenes are a lot more in depth. The grind has more variety - get the poetics and esto any way you want. Hunts? Dungeons? PotD? PVP? It's choose your own grind.