This game feels like a prison, mostly because of duties.

[vilgryn]

Yes, it makes it easy for us to join activities anytime in just few clicks. But, how about enjoying the actual game?

You can't really explore the game world anymore.. You're in one place clicking on duties, and doing a new one at the same spot you're in. Doing quests? No problem, just teleport to the map where it is, because we have Aetheryte in EVERY map!
So it doesn't feel like you're really going too far from the same spot you were in.. The world in game is so small!

Also, why all of the duty battles (mostly boss) are in limited arena? It's kind of suffocating! Even PvP arena!

Where is the open-world game?

[BunnyChain]

Have you tried Treasure Maps?

[vilgryn]

Have you tried Treasure Maps?

Yes, I have. Still easy to reach and that's just something to past time since it doesn't drop anything good.

[Pesmergia]

They killed what made FFXI fun as hell, the exploration. I don't understand why every MMO is chasing after the WoW structure, because everyone is tired of that design and wants change. The MMOs kill themselves before they even launch due to this, and greatly reduce their life expectancy.

[Sarlazzar]

seriously, ppl complain about convenience? why would you want to run 30 mins to reach a location and do a quest that last 5 mins like they did in 1.x, if u really want that, nothing stopping u from not using the teleport, just walk there yourself and stop moaning

[WellFooled]

You can't really explore the game world anymore..

The game never takes away your ability to traverse the world. If you don't enjoy a game where you can teleport around so readily, then the option is still open to you to walk or chocobo or travel however you like. That way, you can play the game how you like and those of us who are ok with the ease of teleporting can still do so.

Where is the open-world game?

I believe FFXIV offers a very balanced variety of open/closed world content. For open content you have FATEs (which includes world bosses), levequests (which includes a HUGE variety for battle, gathering, and crafting classes), treasure hunting (for solo and groups!), Beastmen daily quests (with two tribes promises each patch), and this in additon to the more 'generic' activities that are part of the open world like questing, farming monsters, gathering, and crafting.

If you only focus on the gear treadmill, you probably won't participate in these things, I suggest trying to broaden your play style, you might enjoy it!

[TomTom1968]

seriously, ppl complain about convenience? why would you want to run 30 mins to reach a location and do a quest that last 5 mins like they did in 1.x, if u really want that, nothing stopping u from not using the teleport, just walk there yourself and stop moaning

I don't get this either. You explore the World once, learn where you can find certain enemies and other points of interests and that's it. The world is not evolving or changing so why would somebody want longer travel times? When you level your job to 50 for the first time, exploring the World is a good thing. But already with the 2nd character, you just want to get things done because you know the World already.

I for once could do without the endless teleporting and zoning into different maps just to speak with one NPC who directs me to the next map. That's odd quest design in my book that is hiding that there isn't enough to do and claimed to be a time sink. I personally prefer grinding time sinks (do a dungeon a dozen of times to get the mats you need) from this kind of time sink.

I don't need a bigger World, making the existing zones more interesting is a complete different thing. Add random events besides FATES you can do solo and in parties. Add bosses to the Open World, add monsters that are actually dangerous instead of just beeing annoying. Who said that you can't have dungeons or Underworld areas in each single map besides the instanced dungeons? Why can't there be a NPC on the map from time to time who leads me to a random dungeon to get something done? Eorzea is a nice World already, it just needs to be filled more with interesting stuff to do. Making it bigger and make people travel longer won't solve anything.

[Tinoris]

Geez, give it time. It was re-released like 7-8 months ago...this is "vanilla". Long running MMOs didn't get a world expansion until an actual game expansion. Game companies don't expand the world every patch, they add little tidbits to keep people paying. The big stuff comes in expansions. People have to play with the tidbits, if you don't you'll get bored.

[TouchandFeel]

I personally feel that the game works well as far as convenience vs. exploration in its current state. Sure I wish the game world was a bit bigger, but I am hoping and somewhat expecting that new open-world areas will be added down the line in expansions.

A lot of the newer content (2.1) forces you to go out into the open-world to areas you really didn't need to go to in order to unlock the new end game content, such as having to go do the FATE in the sahaugin area.
Also the gathering classes have you out and about and exploring in the open-world all the time.

There are plenty of things and reasons in the game to have you explore the world and there is also the duty system for convenience, both of these things will also continue to expand as the game grows.

[tOnni3]

I am fine with current system.