Ironically, I dislike Stormblood for precisely that reason. Heavensward drawing out the climatic conclusion with Nidhogg allowed plotlines and character arcs to all breathe. I, particularly, love 3.1 because it demonstrated how even with absolute proof, people aren't simply going to throw aside beliefs established for hundreds of years. Some will become outright zealots as they can't cope with the idea everything they once believed in was a lie. This is true to life yet rarely well executed in fictional media. It, and the build up towards Nidhogg felt epic. Stormblood's rapid pacing made Ala Mhigo feel more like a footnote than a revolution. Twenty five years of oppression and the Warrior of Light liberates it and Doma within the span of weeks? Doma's side of the conflict actually worked, probably due to Hien being a far superior character than Lyse. While I don't hate the latter, the story seems determined to present her with an aspiring grandiose she has yet to earn. Conversely, Hien established himself a leader before ever being shown on screen.

Heavensward was by no means perfect; The Warriors of Darkness being, frankly, bad writing. Likewise, I certainly enjoyed Stormblood. I just prefer Heavensward by a fair bit.