FFXIs just went overboard with the time. It wasn't the difficulty just the time involved.

I think the Empyrean and Trial weapons are a great balance, except that it would be nice if the final stages couldn't be single-group killed. I'm hoping the 95-99 versions require 18 players for the bosses and challenges, then those are the perfect weapons.

Something that a solo player can reach to a certain point, and then his progression stops until he groups. Then his progression continues until he reaches the "group version" of the relic, which is close but not as good as the final. Lacking in power and not as cool of a graphic, but leaving you in the playing field. Then, you progress to the raid version which takes many raids, I'd say killing every NM of that expansion tier, and lotting an item off each one, along with some quests, and crafted pieces to make the final version. And repeat the process each expansion.
If you can kill the NM once, and obtain loot from it, it's NOTHING BUT A TIME SINK TO MAKE YOU DO IT A HUNDRED MORE TIMES.

Everquest I and II also had a good balance with regard to future relics (epics):
If you had the previous epic, when the new one came out, you could skip a few stages on the progression (the quests the would be soloable now at the new level cap).
Example- If you had the Paladin weapon it went through this progression:
Soulfire (Group) -> Fiery Avenger (Raid) -> Fiery Defender (Epic #1 final level 60) - > Nightbane (Epic #2, level 70) - > Nightbane Upgrades (extra stats with expansions)
If you never did the epic, and it was level 75 expansion time, there was now a speedy quest that allowed you to skip the first 3 epics, by doing a long alternative quest to get a placeholder item to progress to Nightbane, thus keeping you in the loop but you got to miss the epic flaming sword.


That kind of progression works, because you have your signature staple items, players who are badass and raiders will have it at the appropriate time, and eventually unlock their whole LSs relics, but when new content comes out it's not a total barrier to entry for new members to get caught up by having to repeat 4 years of previous content to stay in the game. It allows everyone to enjoy the game, at their own pace. This is not E-Peen Fantasy, it's a final fantasy game. The hardcore players remain on the top, and have the coolest looking armor and weapons, and most powerful, at all times, as long as they keep at it. It doesn't make the game casual with that approach either.

Remember: FFXIV is going to raise its level cap every 2 years, the above post is made with that in mind. If the relic takes a year to complete ..... that's stupid with that pace.