I'm gonna compare FF14 with Lost Ark which I know will piss some people off. So let me just make a disclaimer that there are many things that FF14 is superior to Lost Ark at so you don't get too mad.
FF14 pros:
- Emote and animations are genuinely very, very good compared to the rest of the MMO market.
- Immersion is honestly on point. I've never been so immersed in an MMO. (Single player games still have better immersion but FF14 is honestly close).
- Much better RP.
- Unofficially, GShade and modding makes this game's character customization really great and go to the next level. I wish that they will officially support graphical modding in this game, to give PS5 players parity.
- Glamour options are much better in FF14. I can make awesome looking male glamours.
- A lot of race options that are all honestly pretty great.
^ This actually looks awesome and better than anything in Lost Ark. It has a certain unique flair that gives it personality - a lot of Lost Ark's glamour look great, but lack that "spark".
Now onto things I wish they will improve in FF14. I'm not even looking at vanilla FF14 and there are things that I probably take for granted (like Highlander eyebrows).
1. Graphical fidelity on male characters
Improved lighting and stuff just isn't enough. FF14 needs a small design overhaul on male characters IMHO.
Male humans look way better in Lost Ark for example. I know there will be detractors on this forum but honestly every one of my friends believe that the character I have in Lost Ark look way more badass and cooler than my FF14 characters. Anyone but the most diehard FF14 simp will look at Lost Ark's male character and see it as better than FF14's male Hyurs. One of the biggest reason is because Lost Ark, and many other MMOs like BDO etc. just have a crisper graphical fidelity that allows you to see features that make a man look great - stuff like having a laugh lines and a more defined jaw structure, with skin that looks battle-hardened. These are things that come with graphical fidelity and I'm confident if they come to FF14 it'll only enhance RP experience and immersion. Lost Ark's male humans make me feel like I'm actually playing a battle-hardened veteran warrior. FF14's male faces look so much flatter in contrast.
2. Expanded customization options
Not much to say here. Specifically, I wish they would expand customization options so we can fine-tune the faces that we have. It'd be great if they can change stuff like eyes to slider level customization. And hopefully more beard options.
3. Fix Highlander faces!
That's all I can think of ATM.