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.

[Traek]

Oh gawsh, yes please! Good post OP.

[Synapse]

Really? Because if I was blogging my exploration through Eorzea I'd hardly have had time to play the game. .

I added the link to FFXIV explorers thread, it has some decent picture. Tho still did not affect me as much as ffxi did.

I only posted that because im not some drive by poster that lies about exploring. lol

[Lord_Zlatan]

Honestly, FFXI maps were so very well designed that I didn't really notice have time to notice the copy/pasta. It was always exciting to revisit areas because they never got dull to the point where you could faceroll it solo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIcLKaLtdHU

Doo, I totally feel you, but the same can be said about this game. the zones ARE beautiful, the camps ARE interesting, and the sights ARE breathtaking. I remember the first time I took the ferry from selbina to mhaura and the sun was setting, totally awesome... I also remember riding my chocobo from Mor Dhona to Western Thanalan... the sun rising and seeing the majesty of the city of Ul Dah being illuminated at dawn.

There is beauty to behold in the world. It IS smaller and WAY less dangerous (which sucks) but the scenery is certainly there to behold.

[Synapse]

There is beauty to behold in the world. It IS smaller and WAY less dangerous (which sucks) but the scenery is certainly there to behold.

Considering we are comparing a 13 yrs old game! this one should be better!

[Sotek]

I added the link to FFXIV explorers thread, it has some decent picture. Tho still did not affect me as much as ffxi did.

I only posted that because im not some drive by poster that lies about exploring. lol

Sorry, but I kind of laughed at that link... Why? Well, just look how some people are describing the pictures;
"Bland terrain!"

I mean, if I was doing the same thing at launch for XIV... Right off the bat there is a forest I went into, then there was a dungeon entrance. Then I went towards the tower, where there was also a snowman. Next Griffins Crossing, then up to Dragonshead, Natalan and the settlement across on the other mountain, up towards the Vigil, where I'd also see a "new" mob type.

That's just half the zone, and none of it could have been described as "Bland terrain2!". I'd have taken pictures of everything. In fact, I think I did take pictures to show people, didn't make a blog to talk about it though...

[Doo]

Doo, I totally feel you, but the same can be said about this game.

Haha glad to hear! But in this game it just feels like everything is a painting or you're a fish in a small pretty looking tank.

It's like seeing this place here http://ffxiv.consolegameswiki.com/im..._external1.jpg

and not being able to go in like this place here

http://wiki.bluegartr.com/images/4/4...pih_header.jpg

Then that place connects to this place.

http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb2...rancor-pic.jpg

[Synapse]

-.

Exactly, cant really do much in a failed game, those pictures, were the some of the best the game could offer, and still sucks.

Just backs up my point of XI having better stuff than XIV.

ARR is just a waterdown version that does not even have things 1.0 did.

[Lord_Zlatan]

Considering we are comparing a 13 yrs old game! this one should be better!

Yes... but the way some people are arguing, one would think we were looking at FF8 and not ARR.

IMO behold the sights of the world in all of their splendor is part of "exploration"... I don't Teleport anywhere hardly because I like running around the scenery... sometimes when Im in a rush or doing quests ill teleport but by and large, I really enjoy seeing all of the zones and the sights in them.

Places like Rolanberry fields and Battalia downs were boring. Full stop. So is Southern Thanalan. Neither game is perfect in this regard

[Lord_Zlatan]

Haha glad to hear! But in this game it just feels like everything is a painting or you're a fish in a small pretty looking tank.

It's like seeing this place here http://ffxiv.consolegameswiki.com/im..._external1.jpg

and not being able to go in like this place here

http://wiki.bluegartr.com/images/4/4...pih_header.jpg

Then that place connects to this place.

http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb2...rancor-pic.jpg

Aaah... the Den of Rancor.

Yes, the game world is too small, that is true, and not dangerous enough. That is what I find disappointing.