I feel like every time something in this game is "ancient mysterious" it's just a lack of lore. Although I am not happy with the DT lore overall, at least electrope has some substance to it.
This will surprise you, but this is basically the state of the real life earth and a very accurate representation. Societies do not suddenly all advance to the same technology mostly because of politics, education, money and sometimes because tribes like to stay away from advanced society because that's what they chose to do. Some Eorzeans aren't even capable of reading and struggle making their daily bread.
Fair. S9 aesthetics is clearly service for a certain group of people who will buy overpriced cash shop knit hats.