My problem with leveling up in FFXIV.

[linay]

1) No, just because someone doesn't want to spend all their free time doing MSQ, it doesn't mean that XIV isn't for them.
2) Early questing is a slog. So much so though SE is revamping it. Instead of berating people who don't love every last minute of it, maybe just accept it's not the best. SE has.

That said, given the following statement:

It's more interesting that ARR for sure but the msq still takes a lot of running around talking to people and whatnot. And that's ok, it just seems like when I have an hour or two to play and I spend that time reading and traveling....well it feels like I'm not actually playing I guess.

I don't think the experience will change at all even beyond "early questing." The MSQ is filled with reading and traveling even through Shadowbringers. If that doesn't feel like playing, then you can have a miserable time. In the end, the MSQ doesn't have to be done in one sitting as breaks can be taken in between doing MSQ and other things can be done in the game to add variety to gameplay, but it's still an important part of the game and even the planned change in 5.3 will not change the nature of the MSQ (or even side quests as they also involve reading and traveling).

So while saying a person is not a good fit for MMORPG or even RPG (or MMO) might be an exaggeration, it might be reasonable to say someone might not be a good fit for FFXIV if they don't enjoy reading and traveling and don't consider doing those as part of gameplay unless they can tolerate it and accept that it is part of the game.

And if they can tolerate it, then there is really not much else that needs to be said. It is what it is and anyone can try to enjoy whatever they can out of FFXIV in the amount of time they have allotted to it any given moment.