If I was given the money, the team, and had to gamble...

[Zantetsuken]

Build METER...build METER..build METER..build METER...build METER..wait...wait...wait...LIMIT BREAK! YEAH! I (or someone else) DID SOMETHING!

Build METER...

Fixed.

Ok, I'm joking... a little.

The point is, FFXI had a baseline of auto-attack+other skills which build to unleash very damaging WS which then combo into Skillchains and finally Magic Bursts. Party coordination was rewarded well in FFXI.

FFXIV has a baseline of weapon skill combos which are more active and intricate, but are effectively FFXI's auto-attack in the amount of damage they do. These build the LIMIT BREAK meter... which only one person can use, and typically only during boss fights.

FFXIV has more combat options for sure, but once you get optimal rotations down, it's really just flashy auto-attack that requires player input.


I'm not saying one is better than the other, but both systems actually have similar levels of engagement.