Most gamers (not just FFXIV) form opinions based on vibes and emotions in the heat of the moment and without objective analysis and introspection.
Coming off ShB and EW with the main character protag vibe into DT led to people feeling like a rug got pulled out from under them.

I also think it's important to remember that ShB brought a huge player boom. A large portion of the playerbase is ShB babies who experienced ARR/HW/SB in their entirety, not piecemeal like players who played during those patch cycles.

And I think it's THOSE players who choose to hate DT so much.

I'm talking general player perspective.
HW established the WoL as THE hero (with narrative motive: Haurchefant) when we were only a standard adventurer before.
Most who hate SB do so because of Lyse - who was placed in the front much like Wuk Lamat - but Zenos fed our main character energy.

I maintain there are 3 reasons for people hating DT.
1: Wuk Lamat was the protag instead of WoL.
2: WoL was too passive.
3: The Scions become background characters.

All 3 are major departures from previous expacs. Other flaws were tolerable, but stood out more because of these 3 things.

A "shining Shade" and an angel known as the Lord of Knight...

I wonder what Ronova's true appearance is, considering how the Sustainer appeared before us.

Yes, I saw the image. Is there confusion here?

I blame M6S add phase.