I totally agree that a lot of things seem to appeal more to kids. I'd really like to stress how unimpressive the "HNMs" of XIV are--I think it ties into the "adult content" request.
I think SE needs to focus on impressive bosses and gear that will appeal to us "seasoned adventurers." So you have two giant buffalo, much like XI had two giant rams. I get it--the big, climactic bosses will come later. But where is Shadow Lord? The final main story quest at level 50 for XIV is against a flying stick with Alexander-like moves and some soldiers.
So far, nearly every mission of mine has been against squishy or silly-looking creatures. Yarzons, deer, squirrels, etc.
I realize that I'm comparing near-release (well, not really, but...pre-re-release?) HNMs to ones that developed over 3-4 expansions in XI. However, coming from XI, I kind of had an expectation that they would improve on what they'd learned. Not start over.
On top of that, look at the buffalo which the used for two different scary NMs--they look chilled out, or maybe even content. Not angry and intimidating like a high-leveled NM should.

vs.
And if I wasn't already thoroughly disappointed, what do they make a big deal out of? A moogle named "Good King Moogle Mog XII".
I'm not saying I want them to remake these things before 2.0. However, for 2.0 I'd definitely like to see a shift towards scary/impressive creatures and equipment. Not that I don't respect the effort it took to model those imperial war machines. I couldn't imagine! The end results, though, look, well... like I said earlier: like flying sticks.