Well if story is the main focus of ff's. Then WoW is a better representation of FF than FFxiv.

In most FF title, less so in the most recent, Every town or new area has its own storyline that conjoins with the mian plot. The story leads you to the next area. There may be a main plot in FFXIV but it only shows up every 10-15 levels for a moment and then disappears.

There should be side quest in each new leveling area that advance the Main plot and also show how that area is uniquely effected.