If my character's ego is going to be stroked, I'd prefer it to be earned through a genuine struggle - especially in regards to the final boss for a decade long arc. I don't play video games to self insert. If I want to feel good and accomplished, I go out and do something that actually contributes to the real world.

I'd point to some of the formidable enemies that exist in the likes of The Witcher 3. There's at least two major antagonists who cannot be beaten because they're simply too powerful for Geralt of Rivia to defeat. In one case he gets the choice to either walk away and led the antagonist get what he desires. Or he can confront the foe in question and escape after tricking him into honouring a deal. In the other case, it's a very powerful elder vampire who will simply kill Geralt if he chooses the wrong dialogue options. He's forced to use his wits and be persuasive.

There's a lot of ways in which FFXIV could set things up without resorting to awkward, childish flailing and ego stroking. It's not like the game lacks that already - it's everywhere. At no point is there any real doubt that the player character is going to lose. Even in seasonal events and job quests you know that if the player character is backing some struggling artist or apprentice mage or whatever then they're going to be carried to victory and succeed one way or another because the game seems to have an allergy to loss and lasting consequences these days.

I'd like a return to the ARR/HW style of storytelling with realistic, balanced stakes. Those of us who started back then are almost a decade over and I have no clue why the game isn't seeking to be a little more mature with its storytelling as a result.