I've been trying to put into words for awhile my problem with ARR's lore. 1.0 had some great intrigue, mystery, and history that was probably the best thing I enjoyed from 1.0. Mystery of Ascians, Who's an Ascian and who's not? What was that star storm we see in the beginning? Why is the moon turning red? Why did Atomos show up? What is Nael Van Darnus really up to? ect; It all climaxed fabulously with the End of an Era video.
In 1.0, and FFXI I you're given hints early on, whispers of a people, Ascians, Dalamud. Everything was given out in little tidbits that got progressively more detailed as we investigated, and it really captured my interest!
In ARR; We pop in, There's like a huge tower (which almost nobody is talking about) Huge crystals all over, Giant crystals with waterfalls in West Dark shroud, Huge pieces of Dalamud there, ECT ECT ECT.
All kinds of amazing geological features!... and all most NPCs are wondering about is if we can get them 5 pieces of dodo meat....??
I don't feel like there's any intrigue. We're either completely given the info (Oh HI Hydaelyn how did I end up in front of you?)
Or really told nothing new; Allagan's were an advanced race in the past. The end.
How about some researchers checking Allagan writings? stone work? What type of writing do they use? What were there religious practices? What were the names of their leaders?
Did they have Kings, queens, Prince, princesses? Or Was their political system Democratic? Presidents, senate? How did they get powerful? Where did they live?
So far I'm seeing a trend where they never answer the questions, but instead just give us new questions, and half done (or forgotten answers)
Can we truly not answer any other questions but "advanced people" now shut-up and kill monsters in their tower/ADS.
The quests around the tower were starting to get interesting, talked a bit a bout Gigas, and then fell flat.
In FFXI, you learn early on about the "Gates to Paradise" a dual god system of the ancients, so many missions were just learning more about the people, and then when all the sudden you learn these places are real, and actually go there! It's like WOW! It's a pretty magical feeling.
ARR; Ok big crystal who talks to you; check, Crystal Tower; check, Look at all the pretty things, Oh you wanted to know why they're there too?
1.0: Goes from General to specific
ARR: Goes from Specific Place and then look around and you get some general lore.
In short, I don't really feel like ARR has a good "Hook"
It just really has felt like a lot of missed opportunities so far. Hoping for a change of direction starting in 2.1..