ShB doesn't have the same constraints as EW did.

ShB basically took the WoL and isekai'd them into a different world without the baggage of the overall story.

Nothing about ARR-Stormblood matters in the First aside from Ascians and Crystal Tower. Now that might seem like a huge thing to crossover into the First but it's not.

The WoL is a stranger and a nobody in this world, having to proof their worth even though on the Source they're widely known. This makes gaining the trust of ppl feel more impactful.

The First is already on the brink of death and the threat is unlike anything we have ever faced—light. We have been fighting Ascians up until this point which is the darkness. It turns the trope of light trumps dark and flips it, allowing the player to see that there needs to be balance between the two.

The deaths and struggles of those left alive in this apocalyptic world really drives the point of desperation and despair. Because even the light can hurt you.

ShB makes for a great side story that could have easily been it's only seperate game. I honestly suspect that ShB is how they would have written the story from the beginning had 1.0's remaining baggage didn't hold them back so much. ShB is just well written all around.

EW story was fine IMO but it's pretty clear that the devs want to move on from the original plotline.

DT is their first xpac where they get to make the story without the original plot trying to interfere.

So far I've been disappointed but it does leave room for growth.