Well, we are getting more Variants and Criterions (at least I remember that being announced), so Square most likely hasn't given up on the concept yet. They are sadly just very slow to react to feedback (considering that the players asking for proper gear rewards was kinda answered with the weapon upgrade in Aloalo, the third instance). The iteration we get in DT could be even better, once it releases and if CS3 manages to evolve the general concept. Definitely looking forward to that one.