Completely agree with this review.

User interface is still one of the largest issues of the game that needs to be addressed. I am really not sure why it hasn't been completely overhauled. The multiple action bars shown on screen at the same time is a feature that cannot wait much longer to be implemented.

Guildleves and grinding are still the best ways to level up (if we're ignoring power leveling). The side-quests should yield more SP and be more inventive. We haven't seen any cool mechanics associated with them. They are literally all simply escort or kill and return.

Finally, there is a glimmer of hope, and the game has actually made me enjoy myself recently. With the materia system and the grand companies, I feel like we may be getting there. But like Yoshi said, I feel its only 50% of the way, and I think they accurately gauged that percentage before announcing it.

Also, I'd just like to add that compared to the 1.18 review, I felt MMORPG did give this an objective review from the prospective of what SE needs to hear from the most: the disgruntled player who hated the game at launch. Not XI elitists or XIV hopefuls, but the player base that no longer cares.