Starting out in the Empire would be a fantastic option and I’d choose it over the other starting experiences without question, with the only thing to potentially draw me away from it being the ability to start directly in Ishgard.

I’d love a starter questline in the capital prior to its destruction, maybe with some FFVII vibes where we cause an explosion to cover our escape. Maybe even culminating in a motorcycle chase or an obligatory treck through a sewer and later train graveyard.

Sure beats being bossed around by the like of Kan-E-Senna or chasing after lalafells in the middle of the desert.