Well, I now I may get flamed just by watching Extra Credits, but I think this video has the idea of why so many veterans from FFXI and XIV 1.0 think ARR is not cut to their tastes (me included of course).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSd70TSaajk#t=288

I feel ARR starts with really high stakes on the spectacle aspect, with the fist trailer being Bahamut destroying the world (well, a continent, but the whole world perceived by the player), and during the main story we have Ultima magic and the Ultima weapon. Also the story somehow is told portraying that our character defeated the primals all alone and well, single handedly stopped the Garlean invasion.That in terms of the story.

In terms of gameplay everything is bright, the combat is just big explosions and fireworks since level one and the gear looks more interesting in the lower levels than in the higher levels.

I fear for what the future may bring in terms of spectacle creep, because the baseline is set way too high, and it's one of the reasons I liked 1.0 way way more. Everything was more toned down, you were just a adventurer which helped to solve the problems of a nation because you joined as part of a military organization, and along with you lots of adventurers more, the combat was slower, more believable and realistic where only a few high level attacks were visual fireworks.