In the past MMORPGs used to test reflexes and end-game content, but as accessibility becomes a top priority, these kind of encounters have taken a back seat with strictly scripted encounters being the norm. That's just what will attract more people: encounters with a guarantee of success as long as you learn the fight beforehand.

The difficulty of fights in FFXIV:ARR are based on execution only, that's just the direction the game has taken. Scripted fights also allow more freedom in designing gimmicks that make it possible for fights to be more than just dodging things and doing your rotation. It provides a uniform experience across all players and all instances of the fight.

It's hard to say which is better if it means anything at all. The two types of fights require different types of abilities. And execution abilities happen to be the type more people are comfortable with. If you have ever enjoyed a movie, there's no reason you can't enjoy scripted fights. It just requires taking a fresh look at things and embracing it.