FFXIV is too simplistic and bland

[Daniolaut]

I don't think that is exactly the case. XIV is more of a "theme park" MMO in the vein of WOW (one of Yoshida's more noted inspirations for ARR) Whereas XI predates WOW and by extension the themepark concept. 1.0 (which you previously discussed) and the Eureka content seemed a little more closer to XI. From what I gathered, Themepark MMOs seem to value convenience a lot more than XI which seemed to take a slightly more realistic (as you are surrounded by multiple high level enemies at most times, questing as more esoteric, arguably deleveling, etc) and grindy approach to adventuring, as well as a more lidded eye on balance regarding jobs (in fact i kinda wonder of the concept of QoL features would be anathema in XI's heyday).

And considering that WOW has been going fairly strong for 1.5 decades (AFAIK, could be longer), and that XIV also saw success with ARR onward. I take away that there is a bigger market for more easier/casual/convenient MMOs than more "hardcore"/"inconvenient" MMOs such as XI. And SE seemed to had noticed since AFAIK, XI was adding QoL and streamlining features since I think Abyssea.

I don't think either game is perfect and that the devs could stand to share notes, but I also don't they are as 1:1 as you think they are.

See this is the type of response I can highly respect. I dont need people to agree with me. If everyone always responded like this I wouldnt have to add "spice" to any of my comments or threads or anything.

Anyway to respond to you.

I am aware the differences of XIV and XI. If you read more deeply you could see that I'm not looking for XIV to be like XI. I tried to use examples across the entire franchise to show what I'm looking for.

I used XI in the chocobo example because in 2.0 things were a bit better. I'm seeing with each expansion they keep watering everything down, and thats whats bothering me.

I personally feel 5.0 is lacking in both quality and quantity. Sure I appreciate the changes such as flying in 2.0 zones. But I almost feel like being able to fly in 2.0 zones, magnifies how small 2.0 zones are and how bland 3.0+ zones are.

Again, I pointed out my appreciation for the Lochs. While its not the best looking zone, in terms of engagement, its on the upper end, even without anything being "added" to that zone. Although I could argue that the "vendors" being added give reason to go there.

(Edit: And I have been seeing them adding reasons to go to other zones. This is something that is small, but I appreciate. Like adding another reason to go to Idylshire, for the Unreal stuff. I quite dislike how you can literally stand in 1 spot in the game, and accomplish just about everything. I dont really feel like that is an "adventure. " I understand the "convenience," but I thought thats what teleporting and flying and everything else was for.)

I dont think XI or XIV are perfect. I dont think any game is "perfect." But I do feel XI is much closer than XIV. Are there things about XI that I dislike? Absolutely and I have a thread on the XI forums expressing it. But I also do praise the trust system in another thread, effectively "debunking" my previous "disappointed" thread.

The thing with XI is I feel they have the features XIV has, but do it better. Like the glamour system in XI is completely unrestricted. You can wear full AF gear from a completely different job. You can wear BLM AF as a MNK. Not the greatest of things, but the point there is, you can wear anything as any job. So I find it odd that a game released 11 years prior (and no I am not counting 1.0... this game released 11 years after XI.)

XI and WoW are both successful, and for different reasons, and have a different crowd. I dont want XIV to be WoW or XI. I want it be FFXIV, and I feel it can be, with a few minor tweaks such as adding a few cutscenes, adding a few UI features, and not releasing incomplete content (the new races and jobs) and going back on statements (saying BLU is overpowered, even though they nerfed it and its not overpowered, as well as tying housing to the sub. I'm mentioning that twice, not because its a sticking point, its just one easy example of the actual points i'm trying to make.) Probably fewer quests, so the quests are higher quality. (On the topic of questing, they have been improving with 5.0. Not everything is bland. But they can go do better. Easily.)

So to sum up what I'm saying.

I'd like a cleaner more customizable UI, probably fewer quests, so the questing is more engaging. Gathering nodes closer together, similarly how they were in 2.0, in fact a lot of things more like they were in 2.0. I felt 2.0 was about where the game was going in the right direction in terms of mechanics and content features. The story has gotten better since 3.0, but I feel everything else has been going downhill both in terms of quality and quantity. Thats the overarching statement.