This is called "Streamlining."
FFXI was also a much slower paced game with much more limited movement (couldn't even jump!)
XIV classes simply aren't allowed to be overly complicated since whatever we do has to be done while moving constantly. Bloated spell lists would just make that worse.
I've just recently gone back to XI to see what everyone has this nostalgia boner over and see if it stands up.
It's really not even close to the same game as XIV. The atmosphere and pace are completely different, and some of the design decisions are still baffling.
Sure BLM had more "variety," but to get most of those spells you had to shell out a bunch of cash or camp drops, sometimes even do long ass quests in actually dangerous territory.
To put things in perspective, imagine if your lvl 35 abilities required clearing the lvl 50 quests, which instead of a soloable final encounter involved running through Wanderer's Palace.
And don't even get me started on what "limit break" means in that game compared to this game...
XI's not a bad game, it's just horrific for new players.