I would say ARR is the problem... buuut you did say that HW just felt like 'more of the same' to you. So that tells me that ARR clearly isn't your issue.. no, sounds more to me like FFXIV's story, the manner of storytelling, just isn't for you. Which is fine.

Only issue I somewhat have with your take is that you automatically label FFXIV's story as 'bad' just because it isn't to your taste, like.. you honestly think thousands upon thousands are just blowing smoke when they say things like HW and ShB are amazing?