I don't think we are asking the right questions here.

Why do we even have to choose between 2 bad choices. Hell I'll say it. Plenty of action games nail the balance between good animations and controls. XIV isn't even an action game and they present this as an either/or choice. I call BS. make it play well and look good and (SE) stop making excuses until both goals are achieved.

Every game I've worked on during the past 6 years has had the same challenges of getting these 2 to meet. I've never heard an animator nor game designers say "AH SCREW IT LET'S NOT HAVE YOU DO YOUR PART ON THE GAME!!! Too much trouble/money/skill required!"