Amazing game all around but HORRIBLE map system

[Eltaire]

Square-Enix employees painstakingly and lovingly put in text that directs you where to go every step of the way throughout your adventure of the main scenario of A Realm Reborn.

If people choose to skip cutscenes, click through text without reading it, or ignore what the NPCs say, it doesn't make the mapping system horrible. It makes the person playing not respectful of the time placed into creating the dialogue for the diegesis of the world of Eorzea. In your example, the person that couldn't find their way would know that they had to take an airship, and where it left from had they read the text.

The map exists as an aide-de-camp of sorts to your exploration. As to your example of someone dying because they ran into level 30 monsters - the logical thing would be to not go that way again, because why would the game direct you through an area that you're not even geared for?

If you grew up in the late 80s, early 90s, you would definitely be whinging about not having any guides to where to go, as there were none. Period. People now aday have it so much easier with the linearity of games. A Ream Reborn is no exception.