Lackluster Graphics in FFXIV

[Abriael]

Thing is though, no matter how many polygons you added to that cliff it would still look crap because the texture is low res as hell because of the crappy curtain LOD.

That's why you're given the option to use the depth of field effect if you find it so much of a problem.
Most games hide it by adding distance haze (that normally can't even be deactivated) or by shortening radically the draw distance.

I'd rather have the minor annoyance of the LOD, but the extremely long (and quite spectacular) draw distance that the FFXIV engine grants, than not being able to see at an even remotely realistic distance like in other MMOs.