Dreamer, Ive played a few RPGs with a form of Auto-Attack, most of them didnt feel engaging even when using a special ability. The others did feel more engaging though but only because they had a faster pace. Not to mention some allowed to turn it off, some only started when you are attacked by an enemy or when you attack an enemy by which point the game takes over on the basic attack.

FFXIVs atm is unengaging and slow, perhaps the slow just looks like that because the animations are slightly screwed. Nether the less Im findin combat out side of Mages dreadfully boring. The pigeon-holing doesnt make being a Mages all that great either but I get my own back by way of a hose pipe ban on MP, all in the sake of "MP management"

Just my opinion.