Story Line Quest

[Anapingofness]

I'm not really sure what you mean OP.
I found that FFXIV's storyline is really well done. They spend a lot of time building it up into quite an epic journey.
I enjoyed the storyline and the side quests, and yes, many of them were fetch quests and I still enjoyed the quests and the world.

That being said, ARR is *very* friendly toward newbies and players whom have never tried an MMO before, so much so that to vet players it can appear as very boring.
If you made a new character to play w/ your wife, I suggest you try to slow down and just really take in the world. It will probably help her too since ARR can seem quite overwhelming at first.

[EdwinLi]

Yes 2.0 to 2.X era Main Storyline does feel linear and tedious but the way I see it it is more of a long Intro Arc of the storyline.

The story picks up in 3.0 and is a lot better developed.

The 2.0 to 2.X MSQ focused too much on how the WoL became famous in Eorzea so our character is treated more like "the new guy" still working our way up the ladder.

3.0 Main Storyline is more developed because the WoL is no longer some guy but the "Great Hero of the land that can do anything better than Everyone" while going into the concept that the WoL still has limits as well. Not to mention the 3.0 MSQ does make the player feel more like a adventurer traveling with his or her companions.

2.0 to 2.X lacked the "You're a Adventurer" feeling because the WoL is part of a Organization treated more as a worker of that Organization.

[Tuathaa]

That being said, ARR is *very* friendly toward newbies and players whom have never tried an MMO before, so much so that to vet players it can appear very boring

It is and it isnt. They could do alot better on information for someone new to mmo's. Even as a long time mmo player I found myself saying "now what" way to often. Especially in the dead spots between quests.

[Anapingofness]

It is and it isnt. They could do alot better on information for someone new to mmo's. Even as a long time mmo player I found myself saying "now what" way to often. Especially in the dead spots between quests.

I can't say that I've had that problem, then again I'm not new to MMOs. However, I made my statement based on my own observations of several newbies, one in particular stuck out to me because he is not a gamer by any standards and had never touched an MMO in his life prior to XIV. Yet, he was able to find his way around by reading text from both quests and the active help screens that pop up. He was drawn in by the world and then shocked by just how much there is to do.
I suppose, it's safe to say that everyone has different experiences but that doesn't change the fact that FFXIV ARR was designed with newbies in mind- specifically newbies new to MMOs.