ARR was better

[Turtledeluxe]

I think there's likely things about it that were better but the devs simply over corrected in their attempt to make the game accessible to all players, perhaps even cats and dogs, etc.

XIV in general does feel incredibly risk averse. Even the risks (Island Sanctuary) are safer and more boring than the one before it. Every simplification (jobs, relics) more uninspired and routine than the last.