Quote Originally Posted by aveyond-dreams View Post
Did the characters evolve in meaningful ways and commit to that evolution throughout the story? No.

Are the characters visually distinct? No.

Are the characters ideologically diverse? No.

Is the plot being driven by strong characterization or the use of plot gizmos? The latter.

Is the setting being used to its full potential? No.

Does this correlate with other works of media that I hold to a similar standard? Absolutely not.

What exactly do you want me to call this then?
What should you call it? Your opinions. Opinions which the overwhelming majority of the playerbase strongly rejects. Ikara hit it right on the head. You're claiming to be the be-all and know-all of what is "right" or "good," and frankly, that isn't the case. Each successive expansion to FFXIV is gaining in popularity, and if you go practically anywhere outside this little echo chamber of negativity, you'll find people everywhere praising the current story and direction of the game (heck, even Reddit likes FFXIV). The things you mention being viewed "negatively" are seen as such by a minuscule sliver of the playing population. Trying to placate them and alienating the entire hundreds of thousands who enjoy the game at the moment is a recipe only for disaster.