I think it would be better to say how they are different, because some things that appear the same are merely superficial.
First, the similarities between the FFXI and FFXIV races only runs skin deep. There is no doubt that the appearance of the FFXIV races are a different stylistic take on those from FFXI. Other than that, their cultures are completely different (except for hume, who don't really have a definitive culture).
The city states in FFXIV vary in terms of the level at which they mimic the original big three of FFXI. The only comparison that can be made legitimately between Limsa Lominsa and Bastok is that they are both port cities, and that Galka/Roegadyn call the city home. However, racial tensions are almost non-existent in Limsa Lominsa, instead replaced by tension between the navy and pirates.
Gridania really doesn't resemble Windurst or San d'Oria. The city has no racial identity nor a strong central authority. The padjal listen to the elementals of the woods, which in my opinion is far less impressive than how the Star Sybil listens to the heavens for guidance. However, the Padjal seem more interested in maintaining a balance in nature between the Gridanians and the forest spirits than actually leading the Gridanians to greatness like the Star Sybil did for the tarutaru. Its like they took the shire from Lord of the Rings, changed it from being built on open plains to a forest, and then added a good does of asian animism into the mix.
Ul'dah has a strong central authority like San d'Oria, but it's run by lalafell, is Persian inspired, and is built in a desert. So not really all that similar to San d'Oria. It's the capital of the Dunesfolk, but the city feels about as multiracial as Gridania. The excuse for all the races being around is that they opened their doors to other races since it was good for trade. The whole Lalafell running the show thing kind of gets deluded a bit as a result. Perhaps its similar to a city in the Aut'Urghan expansion, but I never played that part of FFXI, so I wouldn't know.
I've got to hit the sack, so I'll leave it at that for now.
First, the similarities between the FFXI and FFXIV races only runs skin deep. There is no doubt that the appearance of the FFXIV races are a different stylistic take on those from FFXI. Other than that, their cultures are completely different (except for hume, who don't really have a definitive culture).
The city states in FFXIV vary in terms of the level at which they mimic the original big three of FFXI. The only comparison that can be made legitimately between Limsa Lominsa and Bastok is that they are both port cities, and that Galka/Roegadyn call the city home. However, racial tensions are almost non-existent in Limsa Lominsa, instead replaced by tension between the navy and pirates.
Gridania really doesn't resemble Windurst or San d'Oria. The city has no racial identity nor a strong central authority. The padjal listen to the elementals of the woods, which in my opinion is far less impressive than how the Star Sybil listens to the heavens for guidance. However, the Padjal seem more interested in maintaining a balance in nature between the Gridanians and the forest spirits than actually leading the Gridanians to greatness like the Star Sybil did for the tarutaru. Its like they took the shire from Lord of the Rings, changed it from being built on open plains to a forest, and then added a good does of asian animism into the mix.
Ul'dah has a strong central authority like San d'Oria, but it's run by lalafell, is Persian inspired, and is built in a desert. So not really all that similar to San d'Oria. It's the capital of the Dunesfolk, but the city feels about as multiracial as Gridania. The excuse for all the races being around is that they opened their doors to other races since it was good for trade. The whole Lalafell running the show thing kind of gets deluded a bit as a result. Perhaps its similar to a city in the Aut'Urghan expansion, but I never played that part of FFXI, so I wouldn't know.
I've got to hit the sack, so I'll leave it at that for now.