Lack of FF8

[Ametrine]

Gunblades originated in FF8, but Lightning uses one, too, so they aren't as associated to Squall or Seifer anymore.

That said, FFVIII is my favorite, too, but it does have this sort of black sheep reputation. It doesn't help that it was the follow-up to the most popular game of the franchise.

That said, I do think much of FFVIII's content could be referenced easily when we step into Garlemald. It's very easy to imagine Garlean kids attending a Garden-inspired school system. Lunatic Pandora could be a future dungeon. There is plenty to use, the FFXIV devs just aren't.

They haven't taken too much from VII, either.

I think the more sci-fi heavy FF's are being passed over for now in favor of the high fantasy ones.

[Reynhart]

They haven't taken too much from VII, either.

1.x plot was litterally an overacting vilain with a very long weapon trying to bring down a Meteor to destroy the planet, so...