I think the response to action MMOs has generally been quite positive. Recent polls suggest most players want action-oriented combat, and also polls suggest non-MMO players dont play MMOs due to the slow combat-style. I mean, the leap from coming even from a FF game is big. And so, many prospective buyers wont play FF due to their perception of the combat as boring.

The R46 quest was pretty well-received (personally I thought it was tacky and over the top), which just goes to show that most people really do prefer action over boredom, contrary to what the FFXIV/SE defense force assures us.