I agree with most of that, FFXIV does lack that feeling of adventure and while it's nice to have map's straight off the get go it does seem to dilute the reason to explore a little. Maybe if they made it so that part of the map was only visible once you had been to that location?

I have often said that there does not seem to be things to look forward to either, like what was said in the your post. In FFXI there was always something to reach for, at level 10 you got to party in the dunes (some of the best and worst memories right there ^^), at 18 you unlocked sub jobs, at 20 you went to Jeuno and could get your Chocobo licence, at 24 ride the Airship to Kazham, 30 unlock advanced jobs and so on. In fact we were talking about this last night in our LS and it brought up a memory of exploring in FFXI that I had and I ran into Vitra for the first time. Needless to say I died a dishonourable death (thanks draw in ><) but it was still fun and exciting. Even taking the boat on FFXI was more exciting than this as you were never sure if the someone would fish up a Sea Horror or Pirates would attack. There was always something and you were always moving around, I just don't feel like I get that at all in FFXIV.

When I hit R50 on my MRD I was happy for a few min's and then realised I actually had nothing I could do with it outside of NM's really, so I just had to go start levelling every other class to give me something to do.

I hope they can get back that feeling of adventure and achievment in FFXIV I really do.