Comparing the graphics via screenshots

[Tonkra]

And what for most seem to be so much "cartoony" about it

The Lightening



Lightening in the current version. The character doesnt seem to be effected that much by the sun light.



the luminous engine offers real dynamic shadowing

we have no dynamic shadows like this right now:
characters "blinded by the sun" [shows an earlier alpha version]

characters half in the shadows [shows an earlier alpha version]






lighening in agnis philosophy, luminous studio graphics tech demo:


in darkness the character seems more three-dimensional, here you can see that the characters in ARR wont have less details. :
(A Realm reborn screenshot)


when the character is directly in the sunlight he maybe seems just too bright. For your meaning "cartoonish"


its the lightning and shadow effect which disturbs you.
but Yoshida also said, that the lightening and shadowing of the last trailer they've released was not final and showed an earlier version. (the first two screenshots)

Lightening with the luminous studio engine (tech demo agnis philosophy):


although it looks more like that in FFXIV at the last trailer lol*



btw the luminous studio graphic engine:
Agni's Philosophy tech demo