Lackluster Graphics in FFXIV

[Abriael]

Yes lets give players fish vision, that's a real solution to the problem eh.

Which is pretty much the same than adding the strong distance haze you see in other games (just as unrealistic as depth of field). The difference is that depth of field in FFXIV can be deactivated. The option to deactivate the haze in other MMORPGs is most of the times not present, because it would reveal extreme clipping in the distance.

And also in Jeuno that white/yellow in the floor 'softens' the general grey atmosphere.

I disagree, that floor is way too bright and flat. Personally I find it the most jarring part of the entire architecture.

I much rather prefer thenormal mapped cobblestone in Limsa. At the very least it has depth and weathering (without even going to touch on the darkwood of the upper floor, which is way better wnd warmer, IMHO).

tastes, I would guess. And that's the whole issue. Art direction is a mainly subjective topic.

LL becomes a bit warmer only during the sunset and dawn, for obvious reasons.

That's the good aspect of grey, or similar neuter colors. They take on the color of lighting much more effectively, and sunset/sundown lighting in FFXIV is quite stunning (not as stunning as the glare that shoots in your eyes when you walk out of a doorway in full sunlight, but that's a different "stunning" effect )