Here is the thing, FFXIII had a good system, it genuinely keeps you on your toes and it's really fun, but you're so restricted by plot-blocks that when you're finally allowed to customize everyone's paradigms, it doesn't matter because: 1) you're already too far through the ones that matter and 2) the game is nearly over. I don't even mind the linear crawl through the game as that keeps me interested; gamers aren't as patient these days and a world map usually just serves to disguise linearity anyway. And honestly, it's an interesting approach to take, as it gave the game more of a cinematic flair and heightened the believability that you're being hunted down by a very persistent army and all of Cocoon thinks you're monsters (hence 'no towns', cursed wanted people aren't going to be allowed to take a snooze in your inn). The cast is pretty great too, besides Hope, whose development sort of starts and ends with one thing, halfway through the game. And that soundtrack? Holy shit it's gorgeous.
The game has everything it NEEDS to be great, and falls just short of that. It's a blast to run through, but it isn't something I can see myself going back to to grind in. If they learn from their mistakes with XIII-2 and restrict you less and give you more roaming (which is likely, since the conflict is resolved by this point), it could be really fun. That's why it bothers me when people say "Final Fantasy is ruined forever!!", since really, it isn't, they're trying (good) new things and making mistakes with them. 13 is really like it or hate it, but certainly not love it. 14 however, WAS a mistake, but at least they fired the development team and gave it a new one, so it's being adjusted and improved.
I'm honestly looking forward to XIII-2, Versus, and XV. And hey, Type-0 on the PSP looks great so far.
ok i'm done bitchin
