Does FF14 get faster?

[Jeeqbit]

I understand and accept that FF is always story-driven. As I mentioned in the OP, I am not asking for changes.

I just was hoping that the game gets to a point where 99% of the time isn't just quest-reading/cutscenes.

While doing the main story, no, it'll be mostly reading quest text and watching cut scenes.

The main scenario spans ARR (1-50) and its 5 patches, Heavensward (50-60) and its 5 patches, Stormblood (60-70) and its 5 patches and Shadowbringers (70-80) and its 4 patches. That's a very long way to go and could keep you busy for months or years depending on your pace, and doesn't even touch upon all of the great sidequests and side content that also has this sort of story.

Of course, when you do finally get through it, there is high-end content like extreme trials, savage raids and ultimates, and the glowing relic weapon content.

You can do a lot of other content without being max level, such as dungeons, pvp (level 30+), the gold saucer (15+ I think), palace of the dead (17+), normal mode trials, normal mode raids, crafting, gathering, ocean fishing, open world content like treasure maps, blue mage and hunts.

Castrum Meridianum and Praetorium had these long cutscenes mid-fight and were obviously a mistake, so they didn't repeat it. That's the last it happens (beside coils but these are optional).

If you’re going to quit if you have to play through hundreds of hours of cutscenes and mindless fights, I’d rather you skip them and enjoy the actual game instead.

That means encouraging skips if that’s what it takes to get to the “fast bit” which is exactly what Shadowbringers is right now.

Although I personally encourage enjoying the story, especially as the content's mechanics is inspired by the story, if you really can't get through it then skip packs are definitely an option for some people. Once you've skipped, you can use New Game+ to slowly re-experience the story quests when you can be bothered, whilst still having access to max level areas and content.