Something to keep in mind about FFXII is that it uses an ATB system which necessarily slows it down. FFXIV, on the other hand, uses a Global Cooldown. Unlike the ATB system, Global Cooldowns allow exceptions in the form of Off-GCD abilities. EVERYTHING in FFXII depended on you charging up an ATB gauge before you could do something, even using an item or making an auto-attack.

Really, in the end, I just find it kind of weird that people keep insisting on judging FFXIV by its predecessors, when it's obviously its own game.

Also, just sorta curious, but has anyone checked how long it takes to charge up the ATB gauge in FFXII without any of the Action Speed licenses? Unless it takes less than 2.5 seconds to charge the ATB, then FFXII is just as fast as FFXIV.