The Formula won't change

[Turtledeluxe]

The problem for me is that they precisely function like Eureka/Bozja (CEs excepted). They're fates that you move between constantly.

I disagree. Eureka has more interesting map design than base game that better uses verticality and secret areas. It feels more like you're truly discovering a new area. Mobs (at least when you're starting out) can actually be threatening. It a has a basic iteration of an elemental weakness and armor system. There is a built in bunny mini game with secret chests. There's probably things I'm forgetting, but I remember wishing the actual game was more like Eureka. Bozja also has the duels, overall I rememeber Bozja being less impressive outside encounter design. They both have cooperative "dungeons" and, in Eureka's case, it requires player setup/coordination. XIV open world has story dungeons but they're just your routine thing with 4 players.

I also believe I heard Eureka and Bozja were staggered releases and that imo, would have made my experience worse. I was able to just go through Eureka at my own pace. With both zones it felt nice to go into unexplored maps and not really know what I was going to find.

Base game has...aether currents? :/

[Daralii]

I disagree. Eureka has more interesting map design than base game that better uses verticality and secret areas. It feels more like you're truly discovering a new area. Mobs (at least when you're starting out) can actually be threatening. It a has a basic iteration of an elemental weakness and armor system. There is a built in bunny mini game with secret chests. There's probably things I'm forgetting, but I remember wishing the actual game was more like Eureka. Bozja also has the duels, overall I rememeber Bozja being less impressive outside encounter design. They both have cooperative "dungeons" and, in Eureka's case, it requires player setup/coordination. XIV open world has story dungeons but they're just your routine thing with 4 players.

I also believe I heard Eureka and Bozja were staggered releases and that imo, would have made my experience worse. I was able to just go through Eureka at my own pace. With both zones it felt nice to go into unexplored maps and not really know what I was going to find.

Base game has...aether currents? :/

Eureka started with Anemos in 4.25 and then the other areas in subsequent 4.X5 or 4.X6 patches. Bozja technically started with Gangos/the solo duty/Memoria Misera in 5.25, but the Southern Front was 5.35, Delubrum was 5.45, and Zadnor was 5.55.