Yeah, you bet I am. There is no way I would subject anyone over the age of 16 to the horrifically boring experience that is modern day ARR. When I press "New Game" or create a character on any video game I expect and demand better than what the current state of FFXIV's intro experience is nowadays. You can watch a 10 minute video and get caught up with lore basics. The only thing you need to know to start Heavensward is dragons don't get along with Ishgard. Everything else you can be filled in on later.
The story and gameplay from that point on get progressively stronger, though Heavensward gameplay nowadays does still feel like an extended tutorial level with how easy those dungeons and trials have become. Even so, it's leagues better than ARR. As for Stormblood? When I played it at launch I mentally tuned out of the story until Yotsuyu stepped on Gosetsu's throat because at the time Alisae had far from proven herself and Lyse remains one of the most insufferable characters in the entire history of the game. The eastern segment was strong, the Ala Mhigan segment was atrocious. Thank goodness the Exarch spirited us away from Stormblood, a colorless expansion whose few good moments were once again too spaced out to be worth it.
