I'd rather play games set in Monarchies than Republics. I have very little reason to root for "freedom!" when these republics end up with people like Lyse in government. Goodness.

I have no reason to care for ordinary citizens in a republic, especially when they do so little to get me to root for their cause like in Gyr Abania. Hien however, I was willing to help. Possibly because reclaiming one's throne and caring for one's people as a task passed on to you from your ancestors serves as a decent starting point in terms of character motivations. I would have loved to see Aymeric take the throne of Ishgard as well too.

It's simply easier for me to get invested in a world full of princes and kings than the United States of Final Fantasy.