Quote Originally Posted by Conradus View Post
Original FFXI was, unless I'm mistaken, Sarutabaruta (Windurst), Gustaberg (Bastok), Ronfaure (San d'Oria), Derfland (Bastok-Jeuno), Norvallen (San d'Oria-Jeuno), Aragoneu (Windurst-Jeuno), Zulkheim (Valkum Dunes/Selbina), Kolshushu (Buburimu Peninsula/Mhaura). I believe even non-expansion areas like Vauldeaunia (Xarcabard) came later.
Beaucedine and Xarcabard/Castle Zvhal were non-expansion zones. The Shadow Lord was original non-expansion end boss, which is why it was level capped at 50. Much like XIV, the original level cap in XI was also 50. :P

I like big zones (and I cannot lie...) because it makes a world actually feel like a world. I think if the regions were non-instanced it would go a long way towards making the game feel bigger, even though it really wouldn't be. Also a few less aetherytes would help with that. I'm not saying it should go back to FFXI standards where it could literally take you 30 minutes to get from one place to another, but a trek from a city to a remote outpost should take longer than the 5 seconds it takes to warp there.