Finally did a review of the patch to keep the tradition alive.
http://lodestone.finalfantasyxiv.com...e=180448&ref=1

Quest adjustments (5/10)
I don't care about these, really. The quest markers are a good addition for playability, but the rewards are still rather lackluster. A fame or reputation system or some kind of point system where I can trade in points for unique gear would make the quests a lot more appealing.

|dev1021| The following changes have been made to behests. (5/10)

I like behests every 30 minutes. I feel that the reduced party size has hampered the behest system a little. There needs to be some major changes like the ones I've outlined here:

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...ehest-Feedback

|dev1031| New notorious monsters have been added. (9/10)
Really good additions, I just with they had added more R50 NMs, and perhaps more craft class gear drops.

Adjustments to mob distribution and actions. (don't care)
Didn't even notice, to be honest.

|dev1020| The maximum number of party members has been reduced from 15 to 8.
The strength of several notorious monsters has been adjusted to coincide with this. (6/10)
I like the emphasis on the smaller party size, 15 was too much. I don't like the NM weakening. They were easy enough as it is. Although, I did get a kick out of duoing and trioing certain NMs, so I guess it's not all bad.

|dev1020| Players now receive enhancing status effects when in a light party (4–7 members) or full party (8 members) (4/10)
Not necessary and puts an arbitrary number to party effectiveness. People just add a fourth or an eighth member just to get party bonus. Band-aid fix to greater underlying problems surrounding party battle mechanics.

dev1037| Graphic effects of actions and spells have been enlarged by a factor of between 1.5 to 2 times their original size. (4/10)
I don't even notice. They need to just change the animations out completely for something a lot cooler looking.

Enemy icon, enemy rank, HP bar (10/10)
YES! Thank you! Finally. That stupid color con system was too buggy and unreliable. Showing rank now lets players have a clearer idea of what they're fighting.

|dev1046| Retainer locations are now saved even following server maintenance. (10/10)
Good. Should have been implemented ages ago.

|dev1029| Character collision with relatively low-lying outdoor elements has been removed. (6/10)
Still doesn't fix a lot of gripes about the terrain. Just let us jump already. I hate fences...

As for 1.17a, the new sidequests I don't care about, and the FULL PARTY 3D effect induces heart attacks and is lame after the 100th time.