Swim - Underwater Map! How about it SE!

[Naunet]

It's really not a restriction, it keeps a game from being shallow and lifeless, FF games have so many interesting mechanics people are afraid of.

You said it yourself that this "staple" is not necessary for an engaging game. Considering it does put an unhappy burden on the player, don't you think it would be better to find new ways to bring life into the game, rather than rely on old traditions simply because that's how it's always been done? Stagnation isn't good. I know nostalgia is a big thing for FF folk, but really, ya'll gotta learn to let the games evolve.

[DMooseJ]

I thought WoW's Vashj'ir was very well done and was an incredibly unique experience. One way to get around the speed limits could be what WoW did, which was give you a magical enchantment that speeds you up in the beginning of the zone and eventually give you an underwater mount.

[Kyata]

If they do add an underwater zone, it would probably be like how they did it in some previous FFs (VII comes to mind with Underwater materia). A regular zone with regular movement on the sea bed (or a sunken temple or something) with some kind of underwater breathing item/key item/gear.

[Quiz]

Having only read the OP, all I'll say is....

I wouldn't mind a Sea like zone from XI simply because of the graphics :x

[Axidrain]

more stuff to do why not.