I don't think that the overlevelling would have made a big difference if it were different, but it is indicative of the shift towards pure visual novel with a raiding scene at the end. XIV (and most modern MMOs) have always had levelling as just a footnote to the endgame, but it's wild to effectively not have it and have no other path of progression besides inconsequential gear upgrades that don't matter until the AF is handed to you automatically anyway.