I agree that there are similarities between the two games specifically. I kind of love that about it though. When I first got information on this game, the same races, the similar looking styles, and environments.. I kinda thought that XI would tie into XIV as to explain these things. Then when it was clarified that these are two different worlds, I got a little confused by that.

I thought they should have always continued with XI with this game by finding out that Hyduria is actually Vana'Diel hundreds of thousands of years into the future. The races have evolved and changed and these characters are inhabiting the world after an event, naturally or man made, that almost wiped them off the face of the planet. This would have been a much more interesting approach than saying, "These are two different worlds, but with the same races and styling." If they were two different worlds, then make it so. They are most certainly not. That's why it's hard to detach from XI, the creative team dug their self into that hole.

The familiarity of the two games, or even the staple final fantasy mob, spells, and deities, are kept there to give admirers of the series a sense of comfort in what they are playing. You cannot have TMNT without Splinter or The Foot, you cannot have Superman without the threat of kryptonite, and you cannot have Final Fantasy without Moogles, Chocobos, Cactuars, or Blizzagas! Perhaps the intention was to have this new world give comfort to players who carried over from XI and leave a new impression on players who are new to the world in general. This is a safe assumption and one that can hardly be cast aside. It's right in front of your face. So, like what the OP is trying to say... so articulately and elegant I must say.... ignoring these things is sort of ridiculous being how so blatantly obvious it is. Embrace the similarities.