The zones arent really the issue they the same as ffxi was back in beta for the most part. difference is player population, lacking content. & the fact the game was release WAY to prematurely. FFXIV was rushed onto the market because the new star wars mmo, WoW expansion, DCU, APB(or w/e) where all comming out as a fight or flight response Tanaka rushed FFXIV out trying to 1 up the compition. and he failed.