Awfully weak story... or is it? [WARNING:SPOILERS]

[Acaelus]

no one is inherently "good" or evil", we're all just different shades of gray

Whether you're referring to fiction or reality, this statement couldn't be further from the truth. In fact we are now dumber for having to read that. I award you no points, and may god have mercy on your soul.

[Alberel]

Whether you're referring to fiction or reality, this statement couldn't be further from the truth. In fact we are now dumber for having to read that. I award you no points, and may god have mercy on your soul.

Eh? Hamsteak is right. A truly good story doesn't portray black and white characters but rather many characters with their own personal ideals and flaws. That is how things are in reality and that is what makes a character believable. There are very few people in reality that do 'evil' thinking to themselves 'I'm evil'. Hell the entire concept of 'evil' is subjective in the first place depending on which side of the fence you're on.

FFXIV is giving us forces of light and shadow in the forms of Hydaelyn and Zodiark but the mortal characters are far from falling into such polarities. The Garleans have noble goals but are ruthless in achieving them, they're also being manipulated/corrupted by the Ascians in a desperate bid for power. I don't see that as inherently evil; foolish perhaps but not evil.