What most turns new players off from FFXIV?

[Windi]

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This actually isn't that bad of a point. The story is kind of on-rails and somewhat barebones in general, but exploring how the main campaign could better tie-in with the game's content/mechanics is a good direction to look into. No pitchforks for me, here!

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Yeah, I think the social aspects are a good thing to look out for, and it can be a bit overwhelming to not have anyone to play with for a bit. Personally my main incentive to keep playing is that I know at least one person who does.

Also every city besides Gridania is a confusing mess to navigate through.

[Saseal]

Also every city besides Gridania is a confusing mess to navigate through.

Yassss.... played since beta test and I still get lost in Ul Dah (ala alts trying to attune/quests) :|
Mainly in the GLAD guild area...


The turn off when I started was some of the fetch quests that seemed more like side quests rather than MSQ...
Id did serve the purpose to lengthen things, but it also felt semi-pointless and tiring. That feeling you get when you're in a very slow elevator, playing elevator music, and waiting forever for the doors to open while you're late for a meeting. *Incessantly checks watch*
It could be said that it's to build 'relationship' of your character and the people of the area, but the early MSQs like that just didn't really seem to do it well. If that was the intention, it needed to be more than a typical fetch.

'I wanna make tea, go get me these things by killing deez dings.'
*runs halfway across the map, kills stuff, returns*
'Gimme thingies I shoulda told you about the first time you went out, but I'll just waste your time, instead'
*Runs to the other side of the map again to kill things*
'Great, now go fetch me the water over there'
*Throws bucket in water. Fills bucket. Takes bucket.*
'Cool, now go hand it out to the lazy bums nearby'
Me: "WHO THE HEL DO I GOTTA PUNCH TO MAKE PEOPLE GET OFF THEIR ASSES!?"

Worst offender was Y'shtola and one of the lalafel Immortal Flames in Horizon.
'Tell this person this stuff'
*Walks 5 feet*
'Awesome. Go tell that first person this thing.'
*Walks back 5 feet...*