All that "cut content" was repurposed elsewhere though. The devs have a vision they want to realize as well. They can't possibly acquiesce to every whim and want that the player desires.

Covid also really reduced what they could do. Even now Yoshi-p says they're still not back at full working capacity like in the past. (I think the latest stat he threw around was like 90%).

Deep dungeon in 5.x was cut because just pumping out another version wasn't what they were looking to do. Instead the leveling method got put into Bozja. We also got 3 new large scale instances as well associated with this (CLL, DR, Dalriada).

Hildy was put on the backburner for 5.x because they also felt it was getting stale. They have said he will be back for 6.x though, so don't worry there. He just needed a rest.

Sure it's disappointing that there is not going to be an Allied Beast Tribe quest this time, but *shrug* it is what it is. It just wasn't a priority this time around. As well the three beast tribes this time don't really.... mesh well together? Plus the usual catboi villain guy doesn't exist on the First either. It was a stretch that he was there for the Stormblood one.