Gating interesting content behind artificial side leveling

[MariaArvana]

Then why did Yoshi say Eureka-goers don't have to do it?

The Binding Coil of Bahamut is still technically part of FF14's story, and an integral arc to the end of 1.0's plotline, yet you don't need to do it, nor is it integral to do it to understand the rest of the story.

That's what I'm assuming is the case for the public dungeon; The storyline of Hydros will reference the public dungeon and expand upon the lore of it, but it won't be necessary to complete it, just a bonus. Thus it'll be tied to the Hydros storyline without being required.

It's almost like leveling in Eureka is ultimately meaningless so that's the first thing they're hacking and slashing at.

I mean, the simple answer is this game is a sub-based MMO where the developers have to design systems to keep players in their content longer using skinner-box tactics or artificial gates. At least they choose steady progression gates rather than pure RNG gates like other MMOs I've played. They could easily axe the leveling in Eureka, but another long, artificial grind will be designed to take its place. It's merely a case of picking your poison.