The only real standing points that FFXI has over every other game is that it wasn't (isn't?) afraid of being punishing and imbalanced. Only certain classes could solo relevant end game content with the right equips/jobs/spells leveled. Were the devs afraid of that or public opinion? Not at all. People forming SMN or BLM burn parties for endgame content without any desire for having other jobs be part of the fight? NO PROBLEM! BLMs and SMNs outdamaging other classes by huge numbers? All part of the plan. Players found a way to make NIN a great but unintentional tank? Let's roll with it! MNK groups becoming so strong that they can burn through high level mobs to gain exp at rates exponentially better than any traditional group? Nice find players!

When you're not afraid of imbalance and (temporary) public outcry, you allow players the opportunity to find ways to immerse themselves in your game. And more often than not, they'll find things that would surprise you enough that it could change the way the game plays in a positive way (e.g. players figuring out how to make NIN an unintended tank). It's a huge point that FFXI has/had over other games, and that's honestly enough of a reason to run with it for many people. It might be exponentially easier now, but there's so much to do that they're at the point of just adding things for the fun of it... which means that they're adding things that are designed to be for players to have fun, as odd of a concept as that is to many people these days. "You mean it's not going to help me get the best gear in the game? WTF!?1 BULL****!!1"