I would say that while I enjoyed Closure/Continuation I can definitely see why SW has largely moved on. It didn't really feel like they were breaking any new ground with the album, compared to his solo albums which had quite a lot of stylistic variety.
I agree with this. I felt C/C was the...correction point for PT. I know The Incident is polarizing. I am on the side that doesn't really care for it. I felt C/C sounded way more like the PT I remember. And while it didn't break any new ground, it was a solid record that I still enjoy. And if it is their last as a unit, I'm good with it (as opposed to how I felt about The Incident). I think it has been pretty clear over the last decade that SW is all about SW. He has his music, and he wants to present his music his way. I get it. I honestly do. It's not really for me, I think he's better collaborating with people. But if he doesn't need other people in order to create and tour, why would he in an environment where finances are shaky?
Sure, the PT probably raked in cash (despite expenses). And probably more than what SW would have brought in as a solo act. Then again, as a solo act, with just hired guns as his band, his percentage of things is likely much higher, since he's no doubt just paying the band. Whereas in PT, three guys likely get a bigger cut, and they pay two others and the crew.
Whenever I see things like this, I always follow the money and the ego. Does SW need PT to have an artistically successful and financially viable career? No. Is it probably cheaper to tour as a solo artist (aka is SW's net gain from touring bigger as a solo artist)? Not sure, but likely close enough. Therein lies the answer.
Back when PT was doing Deadwing and FoaBP, SW needed PT's name as it got bigger and bigger (they played The Warfield in San Fran, which is 2,800 capacity, on The Incident tour). But after all that work as a solo artist, while the rooms he plays are smaller, he's probably a lot happier being a solo artist with ZERO compromise.