Bring back zones like:

[Sotek]

There were plenty of places in FF12 I didn't go to but that doesn't mean it should just change into a linear corridor like FF13 though.

I'm not arguing that...

Those quests that I mentioned did take you to many different areas all over Vana Diel though. Just take a lot at Rise of Zilart quest to get Sky access as an example.

And still, vast areas of the zones had no purpose... XIV pretty much did the same thing as Sky access though, albeit on a smaller scale. Did I visit the Beastman strongholds while leveling? Nope. Did I visit them for Primal/Crystal Tower access? Yep.