A thought on solving the content gating issue. Long read, pls bare with me.

[OccamX]

It's paramount that you understand that this game isn't about the end of it. It's about the journey, the WHOLE game.
...
If you rush through, you miss 90% of the experience.
...But then players will complain that it's nothing but cutscene to cutscene to cutscene with else between it aside from dungeons.

I like what you said. Yes, perhaps I am rushing through the game. I just don't know what else to do other than the story. To me, clicking through dialog boxes does not feel like a game, at all. So when that's 90% of the game, it just gets tiring for me.

Perhaps I do not see all of my options. The only options I see myself having are:
(1) story story story, so I can play with my friends eventually
(2) level other classes
(3) crafting