Sometimes with all the backlash I get I get the feeling that I am unfairly judging the game and holding it to too high of a standard. So it is good to see someone else who notices the same things about this game that I do.
I get that. I actually don't dislike the game, but I can see right through how shallow it is and nothing has led me to believe that it's going to change. The conflict is that I know exactly what I need to hear to be sold on the game, and a single paragraph could accomplish that. So I just keep hoping to hear it.
It might just be that I'm expecting this game to be something that no one else wants it to be, but this:
Completing the main scenario will get players to level 50, but the adventure doesn't end there. Being an online game, there'll be regular updates to continue the story. So even if you reach the level cap shortly after release, there's no reason to think you've hit the top. Considering all the plans we have for the game, you may want to get comfortable and prepare for a long stay in Eorzea.
...
The various encounters we've created were designed with a hierarchy in mind, and as players progress through each tier, they'll naturally collect an optimal set of gear for that tier.
...does not sound like a realized world to me at all.
It sounds like what I'd expect from a F2P model. It feels like they took the cheapest route on just about every design decision in the game, frankly. Progression happens on this straight hierarchical path. That's clear, and it makes sure that no one is going off to the side and improving their character so that the content becomes easier and that everyone is on a level playing field. That sounds nice, but what's the cost? What's the point of progressing if it isn't relative to anything? It seems like everyone is going to be on the exact same path, and while that sounds appealing from the developers' standpoint, it's going to make things get pretty boring pretty fast for the people paying subscriptions.
With this type of model, where instances are added to the top of a clear hierarchy, I feel like I should just be able to buy the newest instance if I want to. What exactly am I paying a subscription for? Chocobo racing? The core game is on a straight line, and you can't do anything meaningful off of it. It's a constantly progressing single player Final Fantasy game with online matchmaking from where I'm standing. That's not the worst thing, but it is disappointing for me.
Their philosophy and the "cheapest route" feeling permeates deeper than progression, too. The stats are incredibly shallow and the classes are way too stale and similar. They've done this to make sure that there's balance and no class is left out. The goal is good, but anyone could accomplish it that way and there's a reason why they don't.
It just has a complete lack of depth in almost every area, but at the same time Yoshi-P has addressed this and keeps talking like he understands the complaints and that we just don't 'get it' yet and that it's going to change at higher levels. So I'm still paying attention...