While you do make a fair point, I'd have to disagree on a couple of them.
First of all - a 2-shield class with guns sounds kind of silly x)
Second - the Machinist isn't all that new and fresh - it feels like a cross between an Engineer, a Cannoneer, a Gunner and a Puppetmaster.
Third - do not underestimate the value of nostalgia ^^ Freya from FFIX and Cain from FFIV were really iconic chacters that made me love and enjoy the Dragoon class. And the Samurai would also fit into the lore. Plus being a iaido practitioner myelf I adore katanas. And the Blue Mage was one of the most interesting classes as you had to explore to find skills you could learn from monsters.

I would, however, also enjoy new classes. Hammer-wielding DPS/tank? Yes! A heavy armored lancer with a tower shield (so... hoplite I guess?)? Yes! I'd play those, just as I'd play someone who dual-wields swords or small axes (Blademaster and Viking/Berserker kind of stuff).