Yeah I found the story very boring too. It was too political and less about the characters. I didn't care for a single character other than maybe Fran because of her unique race and Basch cause he was main tank.
Gambits made the combat too easy and boring. All I did was auto attack for 95% of the game. I just have to move the left analog stick to walk around aimlessly to level up. Very little incentive to use magic or summons. the other 5% of my combat strategy was healing spells/items.
I finished the game, even played a while after to kill more special monsters and summons and even got the Ultimate Trident weapon or whatever it was. but for me it still ranks as the worst main numbered (non spin-off) Final Fantasy I've played. I even enjoyed FF 10-2 more (gameplay wise). Story wise FF12 is better than 10-2 though.
I would rank: FF 7 > FF 10 > FF 9 > FF 8 > FF 12
