The main problem is that DF and PF to a lesser extent are extremely unreliable ways of attempting higher-echelon content. The game is still tuned around using a "static" group to complete end-game content, despite virtually everything up until that point minimizing the need for this type of interaction. It makes finding groups rather difficult, and places an artificial layer of difficulty over everything.

There are a few things SE could do to fix this. For instance, I would absolutely love to see a solo-oriented "barrier of entry" before being able to join PF or DF groups for the Extreme-mode Primals, in particular. Something where you'd have to maintain a certain amount of damage on, say, a modified version of Titan, while dodging his full ability rotation two or three times in a row. Once you've accomplished that, then you're able to queue up. Almost a tutorial of sorts, or a practice arena - with the extra condition that you have to pass it in order to join the real thing.

Realistically, though, the game isn't overly "hard" so much as it's overly grind-y. Atmas are bloody ridiculous - I actually feel I have better chances hunting specific items in Diablo 3 (anyone who has played that will know what a statement that is). The probability of those dropping is set waaaaaay too low, and the RNG has no buffer built-in to minimize the effects of bad luck. This is also, of course, just part of an upgrade quest that merely takes your weapon to i100.

Crafting, of course, also falls into this vein. The new Mastery tomes require massive amounts of relatively expensive or difficult-to-acquire materials just to get to the point where you can attempt the recipes. Of course, all of this is for items that arguably pale in comparison to the top-flight non-crafted armour - barring multimillionaires who can afford to penta-meld high-tier materia.

The common theme here is that XIV is currently requiring massive amounts of work to even access the new content - and the rewards feel extremely incremental even if you put in the time. In this sense, it is a very "difficult" game - not through skill checks, but through gear checks, time requirements, and party requirements (such as the aforementioned failure of DF / PF for Titan Extreme). I'm sure the developers are aware of this, but for now, I agree with the OP.