Reddit seems to be convinced that the only difference is in the lighting and refuses to see any proof about changes beyond that. Even cases where people ahve done a direct 1:1 apples to apples comparison in the character creators they will find a reason to excuse it and shut down discussion.
The stereotype is true, r/ffxiv just want to take everything devs say at face value with no more though. No criticism, no challenging devs on whether they are telling the truth or whether things really are improved in certain cases.

One of the top posts on there right now is just a straight up lie, someone claiming every complaint is just lighting differences and anyone with proof otherwise is mass downvoted to hide their arguments and proof. It's truly the strangest thing and I've noticed it in multiple games.
It's incredible how that's supposed to somehow be the center for game discussion when they act like this.