Please SqueEnix; fix Chocobo companions:

[GMERC]

While I'm smitten with your sarcasm, I, too, see absolutely no reason why the Chocobos don't have control commands not unlike those which are used for Summoner pets. If the AI can't handle it, then just let me micromanage them myself.

Egi are not living, breathing, thinking animals.

[Atoli]

Egi are not living, breathing, thinking animals.

But chocobos are supposedly smart! Time and again we see them in quests and cutscenes, completely understanding human speech and commands. And they are the main animal in usage for all kinds of work in Eorzea, following their owners' wishes without any problem.
So why am I 100% unable to have ANY control over my chocobo that I have bonded with and trained for years?
If I gave it commands and it ignored them half of the time, that would be annoying too I guess, but not remotely as bad as not being able to tell it anything at all.

[GMERC]

But chocobos are supposedly smart! Time and again we see them in quests and cutscenes, completely understanding human speech and commands. And they are the main animal in usage for all kinds of work in Eorzea, following their owners' wishes without any problem.
So why am I 100% unable to have ANY control over my chocobo that I have bonded with and trained for years?
If I gave it commands and it ignored them half of the time, that would be annoying too I guess, but not remotely as bad as not being able to tell it anything at all.

Fair enough, but the only thing bad about Healer Chocobos is Choco Medica. If you die with a Healer Chocobo out, it's almost 100% your fault. In this case, it sounds like the topic starter likes to bite off more than she can chew and thinks her Healer Chocobo will render any situation unlosable.

If they don't have a purpose beyond being meat shields then there is no point in even having them.

You're confusing "not being overpowered" with "not having a purpose".