We've all seen and griped about the quests for different reasons... So I'll throw my two cents in.

I think the story is spot on. Small tidbits of information that help link you to the world is exactly what we wanted. Nothing huge, nothing game changing, just somewhat interesting. And if/when quests become prerequisites that build into each other and build small story lines, that base that they've built now is perfect.

Rewards are absolutely fine with me. I don't need a ton of money, or a bunch of great items for doing some meaningless task. It's impossible not to compare things to FFXI, so think of how many quests were useless to do for rewards but still fun to accomplish just to get the full story. At least for some.

My suggestion is changing how the quests work. So far, the way they all seem to work is that you talk to someone, they send you to kill 8 mobs, and you come back. The items that drop are "quest items" that you don't see and could not obtain without the quest active. In other words, the only way to take part in the story is to start the story first. Theres no finding quest items and figuring out what to do with them.

I don't think I'm the only one that wants to go out in the world and fight some random mob and and have it randomly drop a "worm-holed nugget" and then have to go on an adventure talking to everyone (maybe without a big question mark over their head) to figure out who wants it and why. How does everyone else feel?

I in know way know for sure what SE is planning. But it seems like they've set a precedent for the way all side quests will work, and it makes me a little nervous. I can't exactly put my finger on what I really want.. Bah. Maybe someone can help me.